Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter?

eric27 · 10-03-2011, 01:14 PM

I'm debating whether I want to take some seed grown Ensete (all between 2 to 4 feet tall) and grow them by a west facing window for the winter or put them in a basement and let them go semidormant. In the past I let some Ensete Glaucum in pots that were a bit bigger go semidormant in pots and they came roaring back. I was just wonderimg what people thought were the best way to go? Let them keep growing for the winter or slow down. I'm just afraid they might be a bit small to let them slow down. I can post some pics if it helps. I just want to keep them alive-I really don't want to lose them. I don't care about putting any size on them over winter. I have 2 E. Glaucum and 2 E. Gilletii.

Thanks!

Eric

tommyg · 10-04-2011, 01:39 PM

I am no expert at all, but I would prepare them to go semidormant.
Put mulch around them and most of all don't let the soil freeze.

As they are small I would probably keep them near a window as long as its still nice out and then put them in the basement if the weather drops significantly.

I have very small plants myself and am keeping them in a window heavy sunroom for now. Mine are only about 13 inches tall. Like you i'm worried about putting them in the basement, but in the end if you protect them they should be fine. The root strength and development is the most important part.

Please post some pictures.

palmtree · 10-04-2011, 06:25 PM

Slow them down to semi dormancy. I had mine completely growing and once it became infested with aphids, it had a lot of problems and ended up dying to the roots (and never came back to its former glory).

eric27 · 10-05-2011, 02:38 PM

Thanks guys. I kinda figured going dormant was the way to go. I never have much luck keeping things looking all the great during the winter anyway. I never had problems with ahpids so much as spider mites. But same result right! I just want to keep them alive-no rot, drying out etc. Somehow in the past when I kept my E Glaucums in the basement that where in clay pots and they were just a little bigger at the time, they sailed through the winter with neglect. I watered them once a month. No extra lighting. All the leaves dried off but the pseudostem stayed firm and kept the color. I'm just afraid these are still a tad too small. I just wish I could remember what I did with the older ones at the same stage way back then...

tommyg · 10-05-2011, 02:55 PM

I'm sure you'll be fine. Mine are tiny as well so if you come up with something good let me know as I will have to find the best way to take care of mine.

Good luck!

Tropical Garden Dreams · 10-05-2011, 03:06 PM

I just have a little additional question to the subject.

I completely follow the above advises in regards to larger plants. But how about a small plant, which have just germinated and isn't more than 12-15 cm. tall by now. And how about when the other seeds I have been sowing germinate in the coming months?

Are they also supposed to be cooled down to a semi-dormat state?

10 cm. tall Ensete ventricosum seedling

/Erik

tommyg · 10-05-2011, 03:39 PM

I would say yes but make sure to protect the plant, and make sure the roots dont freeze.

sunfish · 10-05-2011, 03:48 PM

I don't think you want to try and store a young plant with a tiny corm. I believe it is the corm that has all the stored energy to keep the plant through winter.

tommyg · 10-05-2011, 07:32 PM

Good info.
So youd say to keep it trying to grow for the winter by a sunny window would work better and help grow the corm.

That does make sense.

T

sunfish · 10-05-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommyg

Good info.
So youd say to keep it trying to grow for the winter by a sunny window would work better and help grow the corm.

That does make sense.

T

For a small plant seedling yes.I think

tommyg · 10-05-2011, 07:50 PM

Thats what ill do, and hopefully it does well.

eric27 · 10-06-2011, 09:45 AM

I think that is what I'll do too, keep them by a west facing sunny window since I have the space. They are already starting to drop the older leaves. Amazing how fast they pick up on the changes.

10-03-2011, 01:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
eric27 eric27's Photo Gallery Location: Milwaukee, WI Zone: 5b Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 248 BananaBucks : 99,453 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 313 Times Was Thanked 253 Times in 105 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times	Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? I'm debating whether I want to take some seed grown Ensete (all between 2 to 4 feet tall) and grow them by a west facing window for the winter or put them in a basement and let them go semidormant. In the past I let some Ensete Glaucum in pots that were a bit bigger go semidormant in pots and they came roaring back. I was just wonderimg what people thought were the best way to go? Let them keep growing for the winter or slow down. I'm just afraid they might be a bit small to let them slow down. I can post some pics if it helps. I just want to keep them alive-I really don't want to lose them. I don't care about putting any size on them over winter. I have 2 E. Glaucum and 2 E. Gilletii. Thanks! Eric

10-04-2011, 01:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 47,927 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? I am no expert at all, but I would prepare them to go semidormant. Put mulch around them and most of all don't let the soil freeze. As they are small I would probably keep them near a window as long as its still nice out and then put them in the basement if the weather drops significantly. I have very small plants myself and am keeping them in a window heavy sunroom for now. Mine are only about 13 inches tall. Like you i'm worried about putting them in the basement, but in the end if you protect them they should be fine. The root strength and development is the most important part. Please post some pictures. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

10-04-2011, 06:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
palmtree palmtree's Photo Gallery Location: New York City Find me on the map! Zone: 7b Name: Alex C Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,016 BananaBucks : 133,470 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,492 Times Was Thanked 1,428 Times in 644 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 103 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? Slow them down to semi dormancy. I had mine completely growing and once it became infested with aphids, it had a lot of problems and ended up dying to the roots (and never came back to its former glory). __________________ Location: New York City, zone 7b

10-05-2011, 02:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
eric27 eric27's Photo Gallery Location: Milwaukee, WI Zone: 5b Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 248 BananaBucks : 99,453 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 313 Times Was Thanked 253 Times in 105 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? Thanks guys. I kinda figured going dormant was the way to go. I never have much luck keeping things looking all the great during the winter anyway. I never had problems with ahpids so much as spider mites. But same result right! I just want to keep them alive-no rot, drying out etc. Somehow in the past when I kept my E Glaucums in the basement that where in clay pots and they were just a little bigger at the time, they sailed through the winter with neglect. I watered them once a month. No extra lighting. All the leaves dried off but the pseudostem stayed firm and kept the color. I'm just afraid these are still a tad too small. I just wish I could remember what I did with the older ones at the same stage way back then...

10-05-2011, 02:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 47,927 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? I'm sure you'll be fine. Mine are tiny as well so if you come up with something good let me know as I will have to find the best way to take care of mine. Good luck! __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

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10-05-2011, 03:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tropical Garden Dreams Cold Climate Tropicials Location: Middelfart, Denmark Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Erik Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 5,616 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? I just have a little additional question to the subject. I completely follow the above advises in regards to larger plants. But how about a small plant, which have just germinated and isn't more than 12-15 cm. tall by now. And how about when the other seeds I have been sowing germinate in the coming months? Are they also supposed to be cooled down to a semi-dormat state? 10 cm. tall Ensete ventricosum seedling /Erik

10-05-2011, 03:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 47,927 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? I would say yes but make sure to protect the plant, and make sure the roots dont freeze. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

10-05-2011, 03:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,651,733 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,594 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? I don't think you want to try and store a young plant with a tiny corm. I believe it is the corm that has all the stored energy to keep the plant through winter.

10-05-2011, 07:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 47,927 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? Good info. So youd say to keep it trying to grow for the winter by a sunny window would work better and help grow the corm. That does make sense. T __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

10-05-2011, 07:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
tommyg sunroom gardener Location: Worcester, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 252 BananaBucks : 47,927 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 83 Times Was Thanked 234 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? Thats what ill do, and hopefully it does well. __________________ Blog: http://sunroomgardening.blogspot.com Photography biz:http://www.tomasharanphotography.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tomasharanphotography Worcester, MA

10-06-2011, 09:45 AM	#12 (permalink)
eric27 eric27's Photo Gallery Location: Milwaukee, WI Zone: 5b Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 248 BananaBucks : 99,453 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 313 Times Was Thanked 253 Times in 105 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times	Re: Is it better to keep Ensete growing during the winter? I think that is what I'll do too, keep them by a west facing sunny window since I have the space. They are already starting to drop the older leaves. Amazing how fast they pick up on the changes.

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