harveyc

I want to know if pseudostem is a factor at all in the hardiness of a particular variety or plant. Obviously, there are other genetic factors and environmental conditions (soil moisture), etc.

See poll below.

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JoeReal

So far they are correlated from the few cultivars that I have evaluated. Both the saba, dwarf brazilian and regular brazilian are cold hardy enough. Musa ingens, M. itinerans, Musella lasiocarpa have nice dense p-stems also. But there are other things that affect cold hardiness, a thicker diameter helps but that is only one factor.

harveyc

CLARIFICATION: I wanted a longer question but had trouble figuring how to post it. The question I posted was the longest I could do but I should have included other comments in the original post.

I basically want to know if it's a factor at all. Obviously, there are other genetic factors and environmental conditions (soil moisture), etc.

Thanks!

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southlatropical

Certainly the thickness of the p-stem will determine weather or not it can survive a freeze regardless of how hardy it is. M. bordelon, M. zebrina, M. Ornata, M. Red Iholene all froze to the ground over winter and are coming back from the rhizome. They were all small plants with none of them having a p-stem more than 1.5" in diameter. The big (possibly Orinoco) banana plants in my back yard are growing back from last years stalks. Banana leaves are not frost hardy. The p-stem is made up of leaf sheaths. The outer sheaths are killed during a hard freeze but remain as insulation for the layers below. This applies of course only to an extent. If it gets cold enough to freeze the p-stem all the way through then it does not matter how thick it is.

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sandy0225

If that were true, that the thickness affects how the plants will survive, then my basjoo would never make it here in Indiana. They never get as big of a pstem as the Dwarf Cavendish, etc. And they won't make it here at all.

Now, if you were in a borderline area, yes, the thickness of the stem would determine how frozen it got if it just went below freezing for a little while. But if was cold long enough no thickness would help.
So I voted no.

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Sandy Burrell



Northern Tropics Greenhouse
1501 East Fuson Road
Muncie, IN 47302
www.northerntropics.com


specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~
check out our new online store at our website!

southlatropical

I think the answer to this question depends on how you read it. Is it the ultimate size of a banana plant that determines how hardy it is? No. M. Velutina is pretty hardy and has a very narrow p-stem. On the other hand, if my M. Bordelon had been more grown out it would not have froze to the ground. Same with the Ornata. Both plants would now be sending out new growth from last years p-stems.
When I hear 'hardiness' I think of a plants ability to withstand low temps. In my area where temps do not stay below freezing for long periods, the size of the p-stem does matter. At least in regards to how well the plant recovers from winter.

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lorax

I'd say that it must have some effect; here in Quito the Musa that survives is the stout stuff, and people tend to bring their young shoots in for the cold/rainy season to prevent them from getting cold damaged.

That said, altitude may be a factor in pseudostem thickening as well, so I've really no idea whether a thick pseudostem is the only factor in cold resistance, or whether the cultivar is a high-altitude one may also have an effect.

harveyc

Okay, here I go trying to influence the poll outcome.

Sandy, if you read my clarification (post #3), I ask if it is a factor at all and acknowledge there are other obvious factors. In your own post you make it sound like you agree that it's a factor, at least in some areas. Yeah, if we get down to 20F and stay there for several days until "hell freezes over", it's not likley to make much difference though it still affected how quickly your plant froze and died.

You're crazy to be growing bananas up there anyways! lol

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sandy0225

Isn't that the truth? I figured when I planted out my first basjoo that I was surely throwing that $25 dollars away. I figured I was as gullible as those who've been buying aeae seeds on ebay, but it turned out ok.
Ok I guess you influenced me, you didn't expect a nut like me to answer!
I guess I vote yes for marginal areas, and no for where I live! as if anything should live her anyway! It snowed a little again today. Will winter never end?

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Sandy Burrell



Northern Tropics Greenhouse
1501 East Fuson Road
Muncie, IN 47302
www.northerntropics.com


specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~
check out our new online store at our website!

harveyc

Snow??? Even here in NorCal it was in the 70s today. Last night's low was something like 46F. I was feeling envious of the folks in Florida and SoCal until you made me feel much better!!!

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