Hi all,
I'm a new member, first post here. I need your advice as I'm a beginner. I want to plant some musa basjoo in my garden in Greece, in zone 8b. Yes, I know, living in a country which is mostly zone 9 and 10, I had to have a garden in zone 8b, frustrating
The average minimum in December and January is +1 C, and most days and nights are not too cold but we do get the occasional frost and the temperature may go down to -5 or -6 C some nights. This normally doesn't last for more than a few days and then the temperature rises again. Wind and snow are rare.
Now, my question is, do I have to cut the musa basjoo to the ground? I want her to grow really big, 3-4m tall with a thick trunk, and many many leaves like those nice banana trees we see in South America; I don't want it to stay 2m tall with a weak thin trunk for ever. Do you think I can only cut the leaves and leave the trunk intact for the winter? Of course I will wrap it in bubble wrap. I'd be grateful for your advice. Also the same question about elephant ears if you know