TrailGaiter

So, I have this maurelii (new to bananas this year, two basjoos, and most recently this maurelii). It was taller when I got it...but acclimating it...it shrivelled up some...and now she's comin' around again! But, it's only about 19" tall. I'm in zone 5...of course it will be inside thru the winter, but I'm wondering what I should do.

Pot it now and leave it outside until it starts getting cold...

Leave it where it is until it starts getting cold, then pot it and park it in a window through the winter to perhaps grow some more

or let it go dormant.

What would you do? I'd love to see it get big and beautiful...but in zone 5, of course we don't have the longer growing season that those lucky ones down south do...so I'm wondering if letting it keep going this winter will give it a head start.

I'm thinking I'll also pot my basjoos this year, just for the first winter (I have two that were small pups in March, but I now have 4 pups from them as well!), and then winterize them outside starting next winter. I have one pup that is RIGHT next to the p-stem....wondering how I'll get that off when the time comes.....there's no gap at all...but I'll figure that out when the time comes. I figured letting the basjoos grow over the winter too might help the pups grow some...maybe I can remove them before they get planted outside next spring?

Thanks....a banana newbie here, but I'm SO hooked!! I can't WAIT for next year already!

Angie

TrailGaiter

1aday

Hi Angie,
I wait until cool weather to dig mine and bring them in. I don't try to keep them growing through the winter, it's just not warm enough or light enough and they sometimes get sick because the soil stays too wet. Just give it enough to keep alive and wait for spring. maurellii does seem to be one of the easier ones to keep alive during the winter, though- good news.
Also be careful about the temperature near a window- it might get too cold. Most people have better windows now but I remember as a kid we had frost on the inside of windows, give it a test by holding your hand there.
Another thing to watch for in the winter is spider mites, because of the low humidity. you might want to mist the plant a bit, but don't let water run down inside it. If you see the color on the leaves start to fade and look gray, look closely and you might see tiny webs and tiny little red things moving around.
Good luck!

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Susan

scottu

Beautiful!

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Viva La Banana

nannerfunboi

angie..i agree with 1aday.. last 2 yrs ive potted up the not
so huge banana plants..i do have a big south facing window..so
they do get alot of sun..and even then..i think i need to put
a couple of lights over the area..
my bigger tropicals i leave bareroot.. i keep the roots in shipping
peanuts..keeps them from getting to much water..and i do spray the roots
every month..
my biggest maurelli..and glaucum did just fine overwintering inside..
kept at around 48F ish.. no light..
im sure u will do fine..and next yr they will be even BIGGER !!!
yea...

teddykoz

Hey Angie,

I live in zone 5b as well and have been growing red abys for quite some time. I presently do one of two things, bring in my banana's and then lop the whole plant down to two inches of the soil line. In a few weeks a new shoot will appear. Reduce watering to keep soil barely moist and usually by mid april my plants have grown at least three feet and will be put out in my yard once again. The other option is to keep it growing thru the winter assuming you have high ceilings. Reduce all plant food during its indoor stay and keep your eyes open for spider mites. I add systemic bug killer to my non edibles and usually have a fan and a humidifier going as well. Good luck and the worst case scenerio is if the plant does not make it, you can always buy a new one next year.

Ted

TrailGaiter

Thanks so much for the opinions! As always, I welcome more! I wasn't sure if I should keep it as it is or cut it down...sounds like I may be better off letting it go dormant if I can. Unfortunately, my basement isn't cold enough, I don't think, for that. I do plan on shutting any vents in that area to try to keep it cooler, and tucking it away in a corner, and just keeping an eye on it. Also, unfortunately my garage, although insulated, will be too cold.

Thanks for the tips on watching for webs/bugs, too....

I am so eager to get a good start next year, I've really "gone bananas," and am eager to see this one, my favorite, grow even bigger!

My basjoos are already sending pups up....so the banana bug in me is going even MORE crazy! I'm thinking of having basjoos surrounding my deck...or at least part of it, someday. IF I have good luck! I've had so much fun watching them grow this summer!

When I saw the three new pups, I called my mom (who thought I was nuts) and told her I was a grandma again! When she found out it was the bananas, she thought I was crazy! lol

1aday

Funny

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Susan