New to forum

[clmdvm]

Hi there,
I am new at forums in general! But I really want to try and keep my winter hardy bananas alive, so this looks like THE place to learn. I live in Rehoboth Beach, DE ( Zone 7 ) and look forward to learning from anyone I can. I do have a crawl space if need be ........but prefer to leave the plants and pups in the ground and prepare them in place if at all possible. It does get quite wet in the winter and spring around here, so keeping them dry is important from what I have read. Maybe peat moss around them? Thanks!

[LilRaverBoi]

Welcome to the site! You've come to the right place to learn about bananas! This site is full of great information and the members are very knowledgeable/helpful! Hope you enjoy your time here!

[stumpy4700]

Peat moss might absorb the water. A lot of people use dried leaves and then try some sort of tarp to keep water away.

[Eric]

Welcome aboard, Clmdvm ! Zone-7 here too! However, in the same boat you're in cause I've never tried to keep in-ground durin winter. But there are Lots of members here who do! It's a very friendly & info-packed site. I see this is your first forum, too. It was My first forum this past May an I've learned more than I ever thought I could! If ya have any questions about using the forum, just ask.
Enjoy!

[clmdvm]

Originally Posted by Eric

Welcome aboard, Clmdvm ! Zone-7 here too! However, in the same boat you're in cause I've never tried to keep in-ground durin winter. But there are Lots of members here who do! It's a very friendly & info-packed site. I see this is your first forum, too. It was My first forum this past May an I've learned more than I ever thought I could! If ya have any questions about using the forum, just ask.
Enjoy!

hi ERic,
I planted the banana plants 2 yrs ago and last spring we had the ultimate deluge of rain and one of 4 plants survived outside - the rest rotted. So, I was thinking this year of cutting the plant and the 8 pups back and covering them in tarp - I guess someone on the forum mentioned peat moss absorbs water, so maybe that will not work. But I really do not want to dig them up if not needed. They are suppose to survive temperatures well below this zone. I think I will cut them back after the first killing frost and mulch / cover with a tarp. Sound good?

[Eric]

Originally Posted by clmdvm

hi ERic,
I planted the banana plants 2 yrs ago and last spring we had the ultimate deluge of rain and one of 4 plants survived outside - the rest rotted. So, I was thinking this year of cutting the plant and the 8 pups back and covering them in tarp - I guess someone on the forum mentioned peat moss absorbs water, so maybe that will not work. But I really do not want to dig them up if not needed. They are suppose to survive temperatures well below this zone. I think I will cut them back after the first killing frost and mulch / cover with a tarp. Sound good?

Sounds great! But I'd cut them back Before the first frost cause the frost itself could get corm-rot started. Also, I'm thinkin about what Stumpy said. Peat moss does absorb water. I might try growin a nanner outside with peat moss & waterproof tarp. The peat moss could absorb water off the ground then I could replace it with dry peat moss often as I need to. That might be a good way to keep the corms extra-dry!
I've got two (about 14') Blue Javas, nine (about 8-9') Blue Java pups, a 7' Giant Sweet plantain, a small Gran Nain, a baby Sikkimensis, and a 2 1/2' Ruby Siam. What kind of nanners are yours?
Anyway, definitely cut the nanners to the ground Before the frost & you should do okay. I'd mulch pretty heavy though. If they were mine, I'd mulch at least a foot deep.

[clmdvm]

thanks for the advise.....they are Musa basjoo- supposedly hardly to -20! I will mulch deeply and cover and hope they come back. It has been wonderful having them in the yard to look out at.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by clmdvm

thanks for the advise.....they are Musa basjoo- supposedly hardly to -20! I will mulch deeply and cover and hope they come back. It has been wonderful having them in the yard to look out at.

No prob ! Yeah, those Basjoos are great! Had one this summer but had to give it up cause I had too many nanners to keep up with. Had to give up my dwarf Cavendishes & Zebrina, too (same reason). Oh, know what ya mean! They're super to look at (and run through!)! Ya might've noticed, I grow timber bamboo, too. Wanted to turn our back yard into a jungle. I did! But I had to promise to take care of it & cant keep up with more than 5 nanners now.
Good Luck with the Basjoos! I'll be watchin to see how it goes!

[Richard]

Hi there!

I've been to Rehoboth Beach all seasons of the year since my in-laws live in Oceanview, a 1/2 mile inland from Bethany Beach. Personally I would grow small-stature fruiting banana plants in 30-gallon pots and then bring them into a modestly heated patio for the winter, just to keep them from freezing. There are of course some famous cold-hardy ornamental bananas like Musa basjoo that grow just fine in Bethany.

[clmdvm]

thanks for all the advice......will be outside soon working on getting them winterized!

[Abnshrek]

Welcome... :^)

[CValentine]

Welcome clmdvm!

I was USAF stationed in Dover during the mid/late 80's.

Had many wonderful times at Rehoboth Beach!!

Miss the Dolles Saltwater taffy from on the boardwalk!

Great to have you with us here! Great people, lots of information!!

From Central Texas, Zone 8a! ~Cheryl

[clmdvm]

thanks Cheryl........Dolly's is still there! Some things never change. Thanks for the warm welcome

[cherokee_greg]

welcome

[bananadude]

Welcome from Michigan...had alot of fun times at Rehoboth.....Rehoboth Beach ROCKS!

[bikoro child]

Welcome to you!!! I think yu've made the good choice with Basjoos...

[frog7994]

I'm impressed that you can grow Bananas above zone 8 but iI see it done every day on this forum. Welcome.