Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

d Cavendish are way to slow growing. namwa will grow 10 times faster.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

Can i protect the pstem with row covers?

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

Thanks - I'm no math wiz - just use the website Get Chill
I think you made my point that each person's back yard is different so, advice about winter survival from a distance isn't really that helpful

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

I tried that website. It only does the current winter's data apparently and I also find those wunderground data sites very unreliable. For example, one nearest me showed 204 hours below 45 and the one just 8 blocks away showed 98. No way.
Also, if I understand their info correctly, when I do the math on how many were between 45 and 32, what is left was below 32, correct? We showed 31 hours below 32 at the one closest my house ( KFLPALMB147 ) and the next closest showed none. ( KFLPALMB152 ) I saw 26 on my home thermometer as well as on the one closest to my home. No way just 8 blocks away it never dropped below 32.
I don't know what but something is off...

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

what do you think is the most reliable Forecast Site?

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

Here is a second site that I bounce against the get chill site
https://webapps.msucares.com/chill_hours/
your PalmB stations 147 and 152 aren't on their list. I can't explain the discrepancy -the location of the weather station and adjacent buildings, pavement, bodies of water influence temps. I'm satisfied that the stations close to my home are reporting accurately. I also monitor freezes with a thermometer and local weather station forecasts. Even then low temps at my house are typically 2-3 degrees F lower than the local forecast and plants on south side of house stay warmer than others.
The chill hour thing is more about growing fruit other than bananas and citrus-that like heat and fry in freezes,
Most other fruit trees like freezes and actually require a period of cold in order to set fruit. The period between 32-45 are called Chill hours and low chill fruit trees are rated as to how many chill hours are needed to set fruit. You are correct that subtracting chill hrs from total under 45 should yield hours below 32.

Sorry if I explained stuff you already knew- but perhaps the info is useful to someone.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

Forecasting? That is a different animal altogether... None are very accurate. I pick a site and learn how they run for my area.
For instance, I usually go to intellicast (Because it has a lot of things and I like the format.), but I also know if they say the low will be 42, it will actually be closer to 32-34 and I will prepare accordingly...At least they don't simply parrot the national weather service, I guess.
I also recommend Mike's weather page ( Mike's Weather Page... powered by Sparks Energy! ) which is mainly for hurricanes but he predicted the nor'easters days before the weather service did, accurately I might add. I like to look at the many pages of info and see some things for myself.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

Yes, like black raspberries... They need a minimum of 400 chill hours, which means I can't have them here in Palm Bay... They are the one fruit I like better than bananas... Best cobblers and jelly ever.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

The weather is changing all the time." the most reliable Forecast Site " is yourself. Learn to know your plant growing limit and yes you can push that limit by under stand well your growing area climate . Are there any large trees , tall house,buildings , structures..etc around to block the cold wind and frost . If you understand it well ,then it would save you lot of time and $$ from not killing the plant you love to grow.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

The better question is why are you fixated on cavendish ? That is the the banana you find cheap in grocery stores.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

I got Blue java and musa x paradisiaca (plantains) too

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

Then grow gros michel or one of the fast fruiting cultivars that I am blanking on the names of. Or if you are stuck on cavendish at least something interesting like mahoi.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

Come on guys... Let him grow what he wants... We all likely have D Cav in our gardens, I do.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

is musa goldfinger kinda cold hardy?:woohoonaner:

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

It came back from the corm after the 3 to 4 day freeze we had this year. You cannot bet on an edible banana without some cold protection.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

there much better choices for marginal temp,s dc is very cool intolerant they even do poorly in my green house that never drops below 45 f ice cream blue java or rajah puri are much more forgiving

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

The best overall banana in regards to toughness in the face of cold, disease and insects (And it tastes pretty good, too.) is Dwarf Brazilian. At least of the 12 varieties I have.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

My favorite Dwarf for overall satisfaction has been Dwarf Namwah, makes you look like a pro, ha ha.

Re: Is it possible for a dwarf cavendish to survive 9a zone?
 

The USDA cold hardiness chart is available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius.

If you hit the 20-25F mark 4 or 5 nights in Florida, then each of those nights you were below freezing for at least 6 hours. Consult historical records of a nearby weather station for details.

First of all, USDA zones are 10 year averages of extreme lows. There are two methods to calculate it -- I've given the more conservative approach.

Second -- due to the definition, a one-year anomaly does not establish your zone.

Third -- (thank you Jose263), don't rely on a map. Obtain accurate local temperatures over at least a 10 year period.