Gambadeur

Good day to you all!

I live in a place where it gets pretty cold in the winter (zone 4) and I currently have a specimen of Ice Cream banana plant potted in a Rubermaid bin on my balcony. It is getting cold and the plant will die if left outside. It is now about 10 feet high so I cannot put it back in the living room.

When I aquired the plant 1½ year ago, I received only the base of the 4 inches diameter pseudostem with roots. The plant had been cut down to about 8 inches. I am now thinking about cutting down the pseudostem again to allow it to spend the winter growing back in the living room.

Is it a good idea? Would it be better to overwinter it in a cold room with leaves removed? What are the consequences on the growth and hoped flowering/fruiting of the plant?

Picture taken about 2 months ago.

Thanks for your thoughts
Fred

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wim

I haven't done it myself, but I've read of cutting back a banana to be able to bring it inside and overwinter it.

It shouldn't harm your plant, but you would have to cut it back considerably, given the speed of growth (my sikkimensis grew 1 new leaf per 10 days when it grew inside) and the fact that new leaves will first grow straight up before laying down. Or you would have to decapitate your plant on a regular base.

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With kind regards
Wim

JoeS475

This thread in the cold-hardy bananas section has all you need to know, plus pictures.

Time to put the bananas to sleep for the Winter

Good luck...

~Joe

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pitangadiego

Cutting back will diminish size and quantity of fruit when it finally flowers. But it may be your ony option.

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