Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
asacomm

Overwintering of Musa Rajapuri & Helen's Hybrid

asacomm
17 years ago

Hello Friends

My Zone is 8b or 9a and I am growing Raja Puri and Helen's

Hybrid.

Can anyone tell me how you overwinter those species in this

particular Zone? It can go without winter protections or

is it necessqary to protect stem with styrofoam sheets or

anything like. Or how?

Thanking you in advance for your comments.

Stan

Comments (11)

  • tsmith2579
    17 years ago

    You seem worried about the plants surviving. Are you sure you want to overwinter them outdoors? Why not dig them, bring them inside in pots and plug in a two light halogen shop lamp. I would guess you shouldn't have to fear the roots freeezing (outdoors) unless you have a freak cold spell. But, if you are going to leave them outside, I suggest you mulch the roots well and be prepared to lose the pseudostems to cold weather. If the pseudostems survive, you are in excellent shape to begin the next growing season.

  • asacomm
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    Hi Terry of tsmith2579,
    Yes, I am going to overwinter them outdoors without digging
    and bringing them indoors as it is considered possible to
    do so in a place like Zone9.
    Musa Sikkimensis overwintered every year without any winter
    protections at all. So I thought it could be possible for
    Rajapuri and Helen's Hybrid too.
    Wat do you think?
    Stan

  • steve_nc_7b
    17 years ago

    Stan, I would think you would be fine, with Rajapuri, I overwinter it hear in 7b, but I put a cage around it and fill it with leaves to save the pseudostem. If you have more than one stem, try wrapping it with something like burlap and see if it makes a differents. I'm wanting to try Helen's Hybrid, where did you get it?

    Steve

  • asacomm
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    Hi Steve,
    Thanks for your follow-up on overwintering of Rajapuri.
    Regarding Helen's hybrid, I got a sucker from my friend.
    But you can get from anywhere either suckers or seeds
    via internet. Try it!
    Stan

  • neilaz
    17 years ago

    I am in 9a and have wrapped the 'trunk' with burlap or a frost blanket. So far so good past three winters. The small ones I cover with cardboard box. It may not be needed but I like to play it safe. BTW I have rajapuri

  • asacomm
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    Hello neilaz,
    The lowest temperature is getting around 40F in these days,
    and I had to wrap the trunk of Rajapuri, Williams hybrid
    and Helen's hybrid with strawmats and I made up my mind
    to see what will happen to these plants during the coldest
    season of Jan/Feb. What is considered to be necessary has
    been done. Let's wait till spring comes and see if they
    still survive.
    Stan

  • steelviper
    17 years ago

    You really do not have to cover these type of bananas, unless your temps get close to freezing.I live in zone9b,and the only time i ever cover my bananasis when the weather man says it going to be in the 30's for overnight lows.I use tarps to wrap around the pseudostem.I also remove the tarps every morning.Its a lot of workbut its worth it.If you want fruit next year, you will have to protect the pseudostem.You should be ok unless you get temps. below 30 for long periods.I would mulch heavily also. good luck.

  • asacomm
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    Hi Steelviper,
    Thanks for your experience of overwintering of those bananas.
    As I really want fruit nexst year, I think I better protect
    the pseudostem for safe reason.
    It gets below 30F only a few times and last no longer.
    Stan

  • steelviper
    17 years ago

    Ice Cream is another good cold hardy banana.One of the best tasting bananas in my opinion.

  • Dario Gavazzi
    7 years ago

    What variety are compatible with the method of bring indoor in house?

  • socalnolympia
    4 years ago

    Helen's Hybrid, grown from seed



    2 out of 10 of the seeds germinated after only 11 days. The ones that did germinate are growing very fast.

0
Sponsored
Grow Landscapes
Average rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars8 Reviews
Planning Your Outdoor Space in Loundon County?