When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

So I have these unidentified, big box store bananas that I am assuming are Super Dwarf Cavendish or something similar, which I recently divided with the intention of planting outside in my garden.

Current pic - minus removed pups (2nd plant not shown):



Picture from last year after potting up:



We are well past our average last frost date, but the nights are still dipping into the low 40's (5C). Normally I don't plant out tenders until the nighttime temps stay above 50F (10C). I am just wondering if that is a reasonable strategy or should I be doing something different with these guys?

My goal is to get it to bloom and I do plan on dormant storage over the ensuing winters with the hope that maybe, just maybe, one year, I will get a flower.....fruit, alas, is probably too much to hope for here without investing a huge sum in heat and light.

One can always dream.....

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

That's a very healthy looking banana!! It's beautiful :08:

It looks a lot different than my Super Dwarf Cavendish though, I think it's something different. I looks more like pictures of 'Little Prince' banana.

My Super Dwarf Cavendish has the traditional Cavendish 'wine stains' on the leaves especially when they are young. Also the stem gets black spotting and pink coloring like my regular Dwarf Cavendish does, yours is solid green.

As far your question, my bananas stop growing when the temps get to around 50F. I would wait for it to warm up some more before you put them on the ground.

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

The first pic looks just like my truly tinys, only much more mature. I don't know what to tell you about planting but that is a really healthy looking specimen.

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

Thanks for the tentative ID, and the answers, I really appreciate it!! Yeah, I think I got very healthy plantlets when I bought them, and they certainly seem to like it inside next to SW facing windows. I can't really take much credit for their condition as they have proven to be pretty easy going and low maintenance.

I am really curious to see what they (Pups) do outside this season.

Maybe I will plant one in my greenhouse and one in the garden and compare.

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

i move them out during the day and in on the colder below 50 nights as much as i can but the old in and out is not as easy as it used to be. it's still the best way to acclimate them.Our last frost date is May 20.

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

I hear you. I am still moving mine in and out as well, greenhouse during the day, garage at night. I think it takes me longer each day:ha:

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

Good question!

Kind of.

I have grown basjoo and sikkimensis at times over the years, but I haven't played with tender bananas until recently. Mostly I was just wondering if the 50F rule I tend to apply to other tender/heat loving plants also applied to bananas like the one above, or if I should be waiting for higher nighttime temps.

I know its not going to kill it to be out overnight now, but not really sure if it will stall it. Maybe makes more sense to keep it inside above 60F overnight until outside temps catch up, even though it is in a pot and not in the ground? Or, from an end of season, total growth perspective, would I be better off putting it in the ground (I could of course cover it overnight and gain a few degrees) at 50F overnight rather than leaving it in a pot at warmer temps?

I do realize there isn't likely a pat answer to this, but I truly value the experience, opinions and perspectives of all the forum members so any input is greatly appreciated

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

I put out a few today.....:woohoonaner:

But tonight I will probably taking them in:)


Good luck Growing you plants .....:)

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

dirt temp is just as or more important than the air temps. I know if you plant in the cold dirt you are way better off having left them inside for a few more weeks.

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

That certainly makes sense, thank you. I have several areas (haven't decided for sure where I am putting them) where I have moved the mulch aside and exposed the soil to get it to warm up during the day. Maybe I will put some clear sheeting on those areas to speed up the process and hold heat in overnight.

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

That's always an exciting day!! When is your last frost date and when do your overnight temps stay high enough to leave the tender plants outside?

You probably get really warm nights over the summer?

Thank you, I certainly can use all the luck I can get my hands on;)

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

black plastic absorbs more heat from the sun

Re: When to plant out in Zone 6-7
 

Thank you. Yeah, I have rad that before. I have also read clear plastic works better for 'solarizing' the soil and killing seedlings that pop up....of course I don't really know as I haven't necessarily given black plastic a good go (LOL except for one time with bamboo barrier on my lawn for about an hour in August - nice big dead looking strip for the following 2 weeks .....ooops!). Just curiously, have you tried both and noticed a difference?

I always just use clear plastic because I have a lot of it and it doubles for hoop house covers. I should probably try black plastic at some point.

Maybe I will try both with a thermometer underneath and see what happens, it would be an easy experiment.