Oh no, did I kill them?
 

Okay folks. It sucker punched me last night. I have 4 two foot tall musa basjoos in the ground and they were still growing and putting out leaves. Last night it frosted really heavy turning everything white. Probably got down to 30.

Did I just kill all my plants? Any help would be appreciated...........john

Re: Oh no, did I kill them?
 

They should cope with more than that. Most likely just the P stem has died. I would cut down to the ground and mulch heavily or uproot, pot and keep somewhere dry like a basement or garage.

Re: Oh no, did I kill them?
 

So it's best to cut them back instead of letting it die back? Sorry for all the questions..

Re: Oh no, did I kill them?
 

Yes to avoid rot, i would cut down the dead / rotting stem right to the base and mulch heavily (several inches deep) if leaving them in the ground.

Re: Oh no, did I kill them?
 

Thanks Monkey. Another question, with the mulch. It rains all winter long here. Will the mulch hold the wet in and promote rot? What about beauty bark??

Re: Oh no, did I kill them?
 

I guess it depends on what you planted it in. A banana should be planted in free draining soil. For mature plants I use home made compost which has a great deal of twiggy material still included and i mix that with sand to create a bed for the plants. They seem to like it. You know your own soil best. If its constantly wet and sticky in winter and If you see a lot of heavy rain i would lift them for the winter and store them in a pot or dry root in the garage. Sorry no idea what beauty bark is...obviously something we do't get here.

Re: Oh no, did I kill them?
 

I'd say they're fine. As Monkey said, chop em and mulch em but mulch em heavy, as they are young. Basjoo's are tough as nails in the Banana business.:cool:

Re: Oh no, did I kill them?
 

Thanks guys. This weekend that's what I'll do and cover them up real well with some mulch.
Next question, what do you recommend for mulch given the amount of rain we get here? I assume something that wont hold the water but will defer to you guys.

Re: Oh no, did I kill them?
 

I use a wire cage packed with leaves and covered 2x with black plastic, but if cut to the ground a bag of ceder or cypress mulch on top should do the trick. :waving: