Preliminary Results of Musas Overwintering
 

Hello Banana Friends!

Here is in zone 9 and it is likely that the winter is almost over, and the
followings are the preliminary results of Musas overwintering as per this
date:

1. Planted in the ground without any protections at all: Musa Sikkimensis,
Chinese Yellow & Velutina.....Well overwintered with very little damages
on the leaves.
2. Planted in the ground with protection of wrapping by packing mats of
vegetable materials: Williams Hybrid....Damaged on the leaves and the
pseudostem. Less cold tolerant than being told.
3. Planted outdoors in a pot/container with protection of wrapping methode:
Rajapuri and Helen's Hybrid ....Well overwintered with very little damages
on the leaves.
4. Planted in a pot/container located under the eaves: Dwarf Cavendish,
Bonin Island Banana & King Banana....Perfectly overwintered with absolu-
tly no damages. I think this is because they have been free from frosts,
rains and humidities that could cause damages.

Stan

Re: Preliminary Results of Musas Overwintering
 

Hi Stan,

Can you detail a bit of what kind of weather conditions your area contended with this winter? I'm in zone 8b (? - I forget, need to look myself up again!) & we had some pretty cold snaps for the area. Much colder, much longer, & more often than the usual for us.

.

Re: Preliminary Results of Musas Overwintering
 

Hi Pithy Cherub,

This winter was extraordinarily warm here and the lowest and the highest
temperature were as follows:

Nov. Lo58F Hi68F, Dec. Lo29F Hi63F, Jan. Lo30F Hi63F, Feb. Lo27F Hi70F

In comparison with your weather, what is your comment?

And the frequency and the amount of rain was far less than the normal
winters and this, I think, would ease overwintering of this winter.
It seems Rain and humidity are the biggest problem for their overwintering.

Stan

Re: Preliminary Results of Musas Overwintering
 

Here in Norway, my Musa Helen seems to be fine. It was the smallest plant overwintered outside at about 120 cm overall. Its stems are still green and solid.

The weather here has been very wet this winter. Coldest temperature was -8.9 degrees C in February. The only protection was a wire-cage with hay. Might need to take the hay off soon as it's all wet. Dont want the plants to rot when temps rise.

Erlend

Re: Preliminary Results of Musas Overwintering
 

Hi Erlend,

Although it is said that Musa Helen's Hybrid is very cold-hardy, I first have
heard that it withstood -8.9C being green and solid only with a wire-cage
with hay which created a comfortable environment with moderate humidity
so as not to dry up the stem and leaves.

Thus Musa Helen's could be a very expectable species of edible(???) bananas
in the marginal areas. Do you agree with me?
Viva Helen's!!

Stan