Bananas.org - View Single Post - N. Fla. winter--to cut or not to cut?

Oblofusc · 10-02-2008, 10:53 PM

I live in Tallahassee and after reading about some species' levels of cold tolerance, I am wondering whether this coming winter I should even bother chopping the pseudostems on my large bananas down to 4' high and covering with sheets on nights it freezes like I did last year, or if instead I should just leave them be and let nature take its course, and let any freeze-damaged leaves hang down against the pseudostem to act as natural insulation for later harder freezes.

I have large specimens of Misi Luki, Praying Hands and Ladyfinger, all of which are in large mats, a large Orinoco with 2 medium sized pups, a large Red Iholene with 3 small pups, a single Dwarf Cavendish and a relatively small Kru Sunset.

I expect the lowest it would get is high 20's overnight, with maybe a maximum of 8 hours of continuous below-freezing temps in any given episode. I think if got below freezing about a half dozen times last year.

Anyone have any recommendations? I want to maximize the chances for early fruiting in the next year.

Thanks!

10-02-2008, 10:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Oblofusc Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 29 BananaBucks : 42,184 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 30 Times in 5 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	N. Fla. winter--to cut or not to cut? I live in Tallahassee and after reading about some species' levels of cold tolerance, I am wondering whether this coming winter I should even bother chopping the pseudostems on my large bananas down to 4' high and covering with sheets on nights it freezes like I did last year, or if instead I should just leave them be and let nature take its course, and let any freeze-damaged leaves hang down against the pseudostem to act as natural insulation for later harder freezes. I have large specimens of Misi Luki, Praying Hands and Ladyfinger, all of which are in large mats, a large Orinoco with 2 medium sized pups, a large Red Iholene with 3 small pups, a single Dwarf Cavendish and a relatively small Kru Sunset. I expect the lowest it would get is high 20's overnight, with maybe a maximum of 8 hours of continuous below-freezing temps in any given episode. I think if got below freezing about a half dozen times last year. Anyone have any recommendations? I want to maximize the chances for early fruiting in the next year. Thanks!