mullenium

I dug my DC's out with the method mentioned here on overwintering them bare root in a crawl space. but recently found out that bananas here in phoenix can typically sustain the cold winters, the P-Stem might die down but the corm almost always survives as the ground never freezes below the soil line...

my question is since I already have them dug up and have them drying out in my garage for the past couple weeks (garage is typically 58-62 degrees right now) should I just keep them in there dry with no water since the roots already died and the leaves dried up to a crisp. or should I try to bring them inside next to a window potted up with very very little water. Since the roots died already and the leaves are brown and crispy will this just cause the corm to rot?

What should I do?

I think next winter I will try to just mulch the ground heavily and see if they can take the temps.

Taylor

You could do some research on your own... it's not that hard.

2 links:
Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter
Overwintering strategies.

mullenium

ive already read those threads.. I dont recall anyone mentioning something about the situation I am facing, do I pot them and bring them from the garage indoors this early with no leaves and no roots facing possible root rot?

...or just let them dry out in a 60 degree garage since the roots are already dead...

Taylor

Cavendish types don't like to overwinter bare root. I suggest potting them up and putting them inside near a south-facing window. Water sparingly to avoid rot, but enough to promote growth.

mullenium

Okay thanks,

would you suggest that I peel away any dead parts and try to expose as much living tissue as possible since there are no leaves?

also should I plant them initially with like half a cup of water in the soil mixture so it has some moisture at first?

hopefully I didnt kill them

Taylor

Yes, but don't peel away any living tissue at all. Avoid cutting/peeling anything living.

It depends on how big the container is.... one cup could be too much or too little. Basically, moisten all the soil initially, but then let it dry out between watering (more like just moistenings) until you start to see a bit of growth.

No growth could mean it is rooting, but it could also mean it is rotting. Keep an eye on it, but don't dig it up every week just to see if it has started rooting. It's going to take time.

mullenium

If south facing window is not an option would a west facing window suffice?

Taylor

It's not as good, of course, but it will suffice.

Post pictures of your plants as they progress.

mullenium

will do, thanks for the help..ill take some pics after i get everything set up

gadget

hello mullenium,

the dcd is not a good banana for the desert, not to good at cold and not to good in the heat. it does good in micro climates but out in the open its not going to look good. get a orinoco, rajapura, pretty much anything else and you will have a much better outcome.

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mullenium

Gadget,

do you happen to have any pups available? I went to Tropicamango on monday and since they are in the process of moving their selection is pretty bad. I did manage to pick up a nice grafted nam doc mai mango and a rio grande cherry seedling =)

gadget

I love to trade plants locally, and am going to have more than I need this spring. if anyone in AZ wants to trade some plants in the spring let me know.

happy new year

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Abnshrek

Whatever you do next year if you mulch your banana's you want to make sure they don't hold alot of water on the corm or rot will occur. I'd leave you banana's in the ground cover them with a blanket or heat shield and see what will be left come spring.

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Velutina

I'm leaving all my bananas in the ground outside and I know Phoenix is warmer than Las Vegas by at least 5 degrees F (on average). Choose appropriate varieties and protect them from the cold and you'll have larger plants than you ever would with digging them up.

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Adam

Abnshrek

You know there is an online reference based out of the Valley of the Sun.. Desert-tropicals.com.. I was just wondering if they have any Senegal Date tree's out there since it's listed their palm reference, and pretty hardy..? not to change your topic but its definately area specific.. :^)

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