Super Dwarf
 

Any suggestions on wintering a super dwarf? I usually use the under the house method, but I'm not sure about this little guy. Its just a year old but is at near max heighth, but how mature is it? I would love to bring it in but i'm out of room and my Siam Ruby is gonna squeeze in somewhere and max me out. Any thought's?? Thanx!!--NATE:2623:

Re: Super Dwarf
 

Mine was still lacking in height when I dug it today but it had a pretty good sized corm to draw from in the spring...

Probably not much help but I was thinking about overwintering mine in the house too but after seeing how massive it was beneath the soil I decided to just go the usual route with it.

-James-

Re: Super Dwarf
 

As with all of my other bananas here in the Houston area, I just leave mine in the ground with no special protection. That's obviously not an option for you in Zone 6. Do you have any idea how warm it does stay under your house? If it is fairly well insulated you might be able to pull it through that way. I'd certainly advise wrapping it in bubble wrap or some type of insulating material to give it a little extra protection.

Of course, the best option would be to bring it indoors. I know what you mean about not having much space. I'm planning to give away a few of my more common house plants in order to be able to make room in the house this winter for my Siam Ruby, becarri, two heliconias, and few other newly potted bananas that I don't want to take the chance on. How big is your SDC? Couldn't you just cut it back and pot it up...even if you have to just keep one small pup in a 1 gallon pot inside at least then you have one you know you saved. Good luck!

Re: Super Dwarf
 

I've never tried storing one of these due to their relatively small size, but I will say that the Super Dwarf Cav, and the High Colour Mini died on me overwinter, while my larger plants survived. It seemed very sensitive to being indoors.

~Joe

Re: Super Dwarf
 

last winter (coldest in 50 years) my SDC got zapped in my unheated GH. I brought it inside and placed it into a sunny window. The p-stem died but the mat started pupping like crazy. Spring came, it went back outside, seperated multiple pups, the main p-stem is full sized again. This winter, I'm probably going to add some Christmas lights or other heat source to the GH. I hope it is a little milder winter also, I would imagine SDC would choke if I tried to bring it in the house to grow overwinter.

I did send a pup to a lady in Colorado that lives at high elevation (9000'?), she has a GH with heating, and gets more light in winter than summer due to the altitude and reflection off the snow (according to her). I will be very intrigued to see if she is able to get it to fruit.

good luck,
-Ethan:2748:

Re: Super Dwarf
 

High color mini seems a little more susceptible to cold and overwatering than some other species I've tried.
So if you keep it cold, keep it running on the dry side.
And watch for spider mites if the humidity is low. It seems that a little higher humidity and drier roots would be ideal.
I seem to be testing the limits of several varieties of banana since Indiana has such a long winter, and it costs so much to heat a greenhouse here.
Bordelon is a great winter keeper in cool, long winters.

Re: Super Dwarf
 

D'oh!


:bananas_b