Marinemom

Okay, I am back for more direction and insight on my bananas! I planted mine in the ground last year in May, they did awesome, growing to 6 and 7 feet, I am guessing. I didn't cut them down for winter, only cut all the leaves off, wrapped them with carpet padding, a cut up pool solar cover, Christmas lights, plastic sheeting and then to top them off black trashbags...

I peeked today and the stems are firm all the way up, with new whitish, greenish leaves. I wrapped them back up because herein lies the problem. When I do uncover for the season, which will probably be sometime in April, with this crazy western North Carolina weather, it is anyone's guess as to when spring will arrive. Anyway, when I uncover, do I need to shade them with some type of shade cloth to keep them from burning from the sun? Those new leaves are so fragile looking, I am afraid the sun might damage the entire plant and not just the leaves...

So fire away experts and give me the best way to handle them.. Oh and they are the basjoos (guessing that is spelled correctly)
Thanks in advance,
Marinemom in NC

Abnshrek

I'd give them a dose of epsom salts to get them get greened up when you do uncover. You might burn the first leaf but the second one should be fine. :^)

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Blake09

I wont be planting my M. Basjoo and Ice cream 'Blue Java' until April 4 or lader. This is my first year growing bananas so I dont know much about when to uncover them.

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A banana plant in the autumn gale -
I listen to the dripping of rain
Into a basin at night.
~ Basho Matsuo (1644- 1694)

LilRaverBoi

If it's just a leaf or two, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Sure, those few leaves will get fried, but it won't kill the plant and the next leaves should be fine.

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Marinemom

Thanks for the info... Our weather seems to be in the lower to mid 40's at night and in the 60's and 70's for daytime highs... I am just dying to uncover them and get them going this year... I probably will uncover for a while and if the threat of bad weather comes, I can always cover them back up.

And can I ask what the epsom salts are for? Greening up? Or is that something that I should be doing weekly/monthly?
Thanks again for all the info~ Have a great day!!!!
Marinemom in NC