Overwintering a banana plant?

Discussion in 'Tropical Gardening' started by r2oo, Nov 9, 2006.

  1. r2oo

    r2oo Gardener

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    Bought an outdoor Banana plant in the end of Summer sales at B&Q it's about 5ft tall at the moment. I know nothing about these plants so will it survive outside over summer, do they die down?
    If anyone has any advice would be greatful.
     
  2. windy miller

    windy miller Gardener

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    Bananamans really the guy you need to speak to.But I haven't seen him around for a while.I've brought mine in for the Winter, but BM builds special enclosures for his in the garden. You could try looking thru some of his old threads [​IMG] Although I'm sure that someone else has got some good advice for you [​IMG]
     
  3. wiseowl

    wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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    Hi R2oo
    Take the leaves off,lay them round the base of the plant(They act as a mulch).
    I cut mine down to about 12 inches-24 inches.
    Put 4 stakes round the plant,then i put wire round the stakes,so the plant is in the centre.
    then i pack dry fresh straw all round the plant
    to the top.then i wrap some fleece all round and over the top.I regularly check the straw through
    the winter and changing it if necessary.I d,ont pack the straw to tight as i like the air to circulate round the plant.this is only the way that i do it,everyone as their own way.
    Hope this as been of some help.
     
  4. r2oo

    r2oo Gardener

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    Thanks windy & Wise old owl.
    I'ts still in it's pot at the mo so i'm tempted to just repot into a big one & bring it into the conservatory in the winter!
     
  5. garden_fiend

    garden_fiend Gardener

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    I cut my banana plant down to about 3 ft. I surround it with straw and then cover with an old water barrel with holes drilled around the base to allow an air flow. Doesn't look wonderful as a winter decoration, but it does the job.It's 4 years old now. I think I may have to use wiseold owl's method next year as I only just managed to fit the water butt over the stems this time. :D
     
  6. Banana Man

    Banana Man You're Growing On Me ...

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    I built a heated bananahouse but I am a bit mental about bananas. Flue liners are great as are vented bins etc. I have used wheelie bins to good effect. Some bananas I bring in, but the basjoos stay outside. If you want it to flower you really have to go all out with the protection, but if its just tall foliage you want you can't go wrong with flue liners/bins etc. I have also tried leaving them to the elements and even in the constraints of a pot I got one this big. This one was a 2005 sucker which I chanced cutting off and potting up to see what would happen. Seems if you are brave enough its worth seeing what you garden/plants can take.

    Banana House

    [​IMG]


    Flue Liners

    [​IMG]

    Wheelie Bins

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Winter Test Basjoo (august 2006 is a little bigger now)

    [​IMG]

    RHS Hyde Hall

    [​IMG]
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Really does depend on what kind of banana it is, but if its basjoo, unless your in a very frosty area it will probably survive without any protection.
      Having said that, I wouldn't risk it outside in a pot, the roots will get frosed if it gets too cold and that will kill it.
      [​IMG]
      These ones survived last winter with no protection, we had a couple of minus 6 C, and quite a lot of lesser frosts.
       
    • Banana Man

      Banana Man You're Growing On Me ...

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      I want your allotment Pete !
       
    • Royster

      Royster Gardener

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      Ok ladies and gents, what would be the best way to protect from frost a plant that is happily growing within a nice large pot? What is the best mulch for a pot grown plant that may or may not suffer from frost at root level? Perhaps a nice thick layer of bark...?
      Kind regards
      Royster
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      :D :D Thanks, I'll lend it to you, perhaps you could tidy it up a bit.
      [​IMG]
      This is the sikkimiensis, that survived last winter packed with straw but took ages to get going this spring.
      This year it takes its chances, I've got a couple of suckers potted up in the greenhouse.
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Move it to a sheltered area if poss Royster, and bury the pot.
      Bark would probably work, build a box around the pot and fill it, perhaps mound it up around the stem.
       
    • Banana Man

      Banana Man You're Growing On Me ...

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      Cool Photo pete, I like that you can see your mahooosive cordyline in the background! :cool: :cool: :cool:
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Thats the smaller one BM. ;) :D
       
    • Banana Man

      Banana Man You're Growing On Me ...

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      [​IMG] I didn't think I could see the Waggie. [​IMG]
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Thats out of shot, on the other side of the garden
       
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