Bananas.org

Bananas.org vbseo_replace_urls("(", "https://www.bananas.org/index.php"))
-   Banana Plant Health And Maintenance Topics vbseo_replace_urls("(", "https://www.bananas.org/forumdisplay.php?f=310"))
-   -   Overwintering bananas? vbseo_replace_urls("(", "https://www.bananas.org/showthread.php?t=21319"))

KingKappa 11-08-2014 05:48 PM
Overwintering bananas?
 
Hi! I'm not sure how to take care of my bananas over the winter. I live in zone 8a and first frost has already come through and turned most of the leaves on my plants brown. I don't know whether or not to cut them down and mulch them over or to store all of them in the cellar, or some other way that I don't know of.









As you can see, the pups are rather close together and I've had trouble separating them. I'd probably have to dig the entire thing up. I also have no idea what kind these are, they might be a variety of plantain.

Any help would be appreciated.

Abnshrek 11-08-2014 06:16 PM
Re: Overwintering bananas?
 
I'd leave them alone and trim back as necessary come spring..

crazy banana 11-09-2014 01:14 AM
Re: Overwintering bananas?
 
X2 Abnshrek, in addition I would try to protect the pups somehow with frost cloth, so there will not be any further damage and you will at least have the pups recover faster come spring or in case the mother plant does not make it through the winter.

Olafhenny 11-09-2014 07:39 PM
Re: Overwintering bananas?
 
There are lots of different methods of getting bananas through the winter listed in this
forum, depending on the degree of protection necessary in your region and your
personal circumstance. It is now a bit late to sort out what is best for you. I agree
mostly with what Miguel and Crazy are saying. I have no experience with frost cloth,
because here it would be most likely useless. If it works in your area depends on
how severe the next winter will be. If you are lucky, and it is just a mild one most
of the PS might survive. A tarp of sorts may be helpful, especially if you expect
soggy weather. Most of all I would spread some kind of mulch in the pad and about
a foot surrounding it. If you protect the corm from freezing, you will have a vital
plant next year, regardless if the PS makes it through, it will just take a bit longer
to develop.


Good luck,
Olaf

Jose263 11-09-2014 08:05 PM
Re: Overwintering bananas?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Olafhenny (Post 253909)
There are lots of different methods of getting bananas through the winter listed in this
forum, depending on the degree of protection necessary in your region and your
personal circumstance. It is now a bit late to sort out what is best for you. I agree
mostly with what Miguel and Crazy are saying. I have no experience with frost cloth,
because here it would be most likely useless. If it works in your area depends on
how severe the next winter will be. If you are lucky, and it is just a mild one most
of the PS might survive. A tarp of sorts may be helpful, especially if you expect
soggy weather. Most of all I would spread some kind of mulch in the pad and about
a foot surrounding it. If you protect the corm from freezing, you will have a vital
plant next year, regardless if the PS makes it through, it will just take a bit longer
to develop.


Good luck,
Olaf
zone 8a - I'm in 8b/9a and if the winter is reasonable - not like last year - i have had success cutting the pstems at 4-5 ft and protecting the mat in a wire cage full of leaves for insulation - if you do this make sure you cover with plastic to keep the rain out.

Olafhenny 11-09-2014 08:46 PM
Re: Overwintering bananas?
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jose263 (Post 253914)
zone 8a - I'm in 8b/9a and if the winter is reasonable - not like last year - i have had success cutting the pstems at 4-5 ft and protecting the mat in a wire cage full of leaves for insulation - if you do this make sure you cover with plastic to keep the rain out.

Sounds like a good method to me. I used a similar method, before I came up with
my permanent shelter. Although here in HZ6 the wire cage was not good enough.
I had to cut the PSs down to 6 to 10 inches, put a fence up to two feet away from the
pad an fill it all up with leaves two feet above the stem tops, which were covered
with buckets or flower pots to create some air space. I also covered the whole thing
with plastic sheeting. It is now a whole lot easier with my permanent shelter, which
also extends the growing season, because it can be quickly removed and again
replaced, when late frost threatens.

Best,
Olaf


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 AM.

Powered by vBulletin Version 3.6.8, Copyright ©2000 - 2026, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
All content © Bananas.org & the respective author.