mrbungalow

I heard someone say (I think gregsmith) that when protecting musa stems for the winter, it does not really matter how low you cut the stems. I think he said on some earlier post that the ultimate height of the plant at the end of the season will be the same, in spite of cutting at 1 foot or 5 feet.

Can anyone verify similar results?

I am going to have to cut the stems of my basjoos and sikkims at 2 feet, because otherwise I will be driving "Hay-rides" like there's no tomorrow! The hay is bought at a local horse-supply store in the city, and costs an arm and a leg!

I will also use some of the cut off banana-leaves and other leaves.

BTW, no frosts yet as per. 30 October here in Bergen, Norway. So far, a low of about 35 degrees F. All bananas nice and green, but not growing much!

Erlend

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basjooman

I'm not sure whether that is correct or not but to be on the safe side I am going to try and keep as much of my stem as possible. Even so, this is probably going to be only about three and a half feet since my cage full of straw, spent basjoo leaves, wireless remote thermometer and anything else I can stuff in there, is going to be a little over four feet.

I think I heard that growth should be a little more active and create a bigger plant in the second year and all the more so if the stem has a head start.

I sympathize with you have to make the cut. I am not too thrilled with the idea either but we are expecting about -4C by the end of this week so I'll be doing mine in a day or two.

steve