Bananas.org - View Single Post - What Is The Best Way To Protect A Musa Basjoo For Winter????

bananadude · 10-19-2009, 02:19 PM

I have always just cut them down to about 16 inches....removed the mulch from around the base and then mounded dirt up around the base on a slope, so water will run away from the base during freeze thaws!

I then replace the mulch(cypress), putting down a good layer 10-12 inches thick and about a foot out...I then cover the stem with a heavy duty rose cone, (I sprayed mine black-inside and out...to help absorb heat)....and then I cover it with black bisqueen, the black bisqueen seems to keep it around 8-10 degrees warmer under there then the actual air temp outside, (you can actually dig in the dirt in the middle of winter under there, the ground just does not freeze hard) this has always worked for me!

Good Luck!

Brian

10-19-2009, 02:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
bananadude bananadude's Photo Gallery Location: Gladwin, Michigan Find me on the map! Zone: New Zone Map on the border of Zone 5-6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 221 BananaBucks : 45,898 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 96 Times Was Thanked 91 Times in 47 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 23 Times	Re: What Is The Best Way To Protect A Musa Basjoo For Winter???? I have always just cut them down to about 16 inches....removed the mulch from around the base and then mounded dirt up around the base on a slope, so water will run away from the base during freeze thaws! I then replace the mulch(cypress), putting down a good layer 10-12 inches thick and about a foot out...I then cover the stem with a heavy duty rose cone, (I sprayed mine black-inside and out...to help absorb heat)....and then I cover it with black bisqueen, the black bisqueen seems to keep it around 8-10 degrees warmer under there then the actual air temp outside, (you can actually dig in the dirt in the middle of winter under there, the ground just does not freeze hard) this has always worked for me! Good Luck! Brian __________________ Brian...Zone 5-6...Gladwin, Michigan Last edited by bananadude : 11-12-2009 at 06:21 PM.