hilashes

I'm in Vancouver, zone 8a and this is my Musa basjoo's first frost ever. Standing about 3ft. tall (refer to profile picture) do I remove the leaves and cover the soil completely to the stalk with leaves before I cover it over? It has about 12 or 13 pups, are they ok or should I dig them up and bring them inside? Thanks from a first-timer!

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MediaHound

Welcome aboard!

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dablo93

welcome here!
your basjoo looks quite young.
i think it will be better if you let it overwinter inside.
if you want to overwinter it outside, wait till it gets colder then 29 F and then protect it

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Inoneear

Welcome hilashes. In our zone as you know,it rains a lot! Its not just the cold temps but the moisture the plants sit in during the 10.5 months of winter that rot the plants. Cover the ground around the plant to stop the rain from getting into to it,then put insulation eg. bags of leaves,grass,styrofoam...lights in a wire cage.Cover the plant with plastic,but remember to leave a flap in the top to let the moisture escape.

So,back to your question. Dont dig it up. Keep the leaves on the plant [it wont harm them] You might loose some of your pups,but next year the ones that come up will outgrow your main plant.

hilashes

Thanks Inoneear for great tips! My landscape is covered with gravel. Should I cover the rocks around the plant with plastc as well and how far around to ensure the plant is safe from rot? Also will the flap at the top let rain in? Again I'm grateful for your advice!

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Bob

I agree with Inoneear, years ago I successfully overwintered 2 basjoo pups that looking back should have been brought in( I'm in zone 6a). The following year I lost them due to uncovering too early in the spring and the corms rotted due to excessive wet weather that year. This year I'm protecting mine not only from the cold with mulch but am using plastic over that too so I can keep them reasonably dry till the " real" growing months arrive.

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Inoneear

I always plant on a hill of soil. This helps keep unwanted water away from the roots.
On a day like today you will be able to see if water is pooling anywhere around your plants.For the rest of you ,"were filling up on liquid sunshine". You should have about a 5 foot radius around you plant that is covered with no water settling in puddles.
The flap,on the plastic covering the plant, shouldnt let water in. Cover the plant ,grab the top of the dome with one hand twist cut off tip bend over 8 to 10 inches tape down onto plastic side. This should let it breathe without letting in the rain.

hilashes

Thank you Inoneear - that is perfect, as i've already got the plant on a raised sloped bed. I can't wait to get working on this! Great to have another Vancouverite on here!

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