Will this work/ am I crazy?
 

I am in Zone 7

I would like a privacy screen near patio/pool of multi height Banana plants.
The tallest need to be AT LEAST 8 feet by mid June ( LEAF HEIGHT ).
I would like the pstems to max out 6-12 feet+-.

Generally, last freeze is the second week of April, and I put my tomatoes in the last week or the first of May.
We are not reliably into 60 degree night temps until that end of May, day temps can be 80+ almost all of May with a few cooler overcast days.

My thought is to use a cold hardy plants.
Winter over some in ground, and others dug after they die back and kept around 50 degrees in the dark. ( cold garage in boxes with heat tape )

THEN, at the appropriate time, remove from hibernation, pot them, bring into the house 70+ degrees to get them a head start over the in-ground plants.

I may dig pups prior to first frost early November, and keep alive in house containers.

So, is this reasonable to expect success, or more trouble than it is worth?

Thanks in advance for suggestions on viability, best cultivars, and any procedures, edge.

PS Since I would like to try this for next summer, when should I order plants this fall/winter to get reasonably sized plants?

Re: Will this work/ am I crazy?
 

Orinoco and Bassjoo might work. I don't think they will be 8ft by mid June, but close. Try not to cut the pstem to the ground and pour on the fertilizer when the first leaves appear.



As for the 2nd part of your question, you need to see a psychiatrist for that. OH ... Don't tell him you are a Banana farmer in the NY area! He will likely commit you on the spot. ...hahaha

Re: Will this work/ am I crazy?
 

If you want a screen that is 100% see-through proof, you will not accomplish it with bananas.

Additionally, it will take more than temps above freezing to obtain rapid growth to get lots of leafiness.

Re: Will this work/ am I crazy?
 

Nobody mentioned Sikkimensis. Basjoo should work (zone 6b here in Virginia). Single plants will not provide the total screen as said above, but they quickly form a mat and that becomes a total privacy screen (smaller pups have leaves further down, etc. so overall it becomes a dense screen.
By mid June is pushing things to say the least for in ground plants - we make 8 feet August, but may be a bit cooler here (and ours are way out in the open so no micro climate which you may have. But still very dubious. However if have some growing inside, thata could work, and for those in storage, if brought out early enough, thata would give a good head start (but need some room to get them going!)

Re: Will this work/ am I crazy?
 

Thanks all :)

I am not looking for total privacy, I was thinking that the fall pups would be at one size, the awakened hibernating older plants, and the in-ground would be at all different heights.
The in-ground plants that survive probably won't show growth until mid May, while the previous years potted pups would already be 7 months old.

Thanks for the replies, and any other thoughts are greatly welcomed, edge.

Re: Will this work/ am I crazy?
 

Basjoos ....in your area are the best choice for the many different sites you may plant it.
We grow the plant in many different environments locally.
The plant is almost maintenance free, but if it given lots of attention and care the plant will reward you with pups and awesome growth.

See pics in my gallery......

Re: Will this work/ am I crazy?
 

Thanks, your pictures are great :)

Re: Will this work/ am I crazy?
 

great job....wish you well