Never had one before, but was "gifted" with one that was dug up (they
don't live outdoors here in winter) by friends who grow them around
their pond. They asked if I would like one - mentioning they had
several new little ones (like foot tall)....I made the "mistake" of
saying sure -- expecting maybe a little one I could safely put in my
sunroom area for winter. They brought it by - good thing I had a huge
planter available as its over four foot tall.
HELP - any special instructions on care -- they said they just dug
them, and kept them in their heated garage over winter....and I'd sure
like to keep this alive and healthy...
suggestions appreciated!
CK
Cherry
You can bring it in over the winter. Sounds as if they gave you one
without "pups". "Pups" are the smaller plants that grow from the
larger. That is probably the reason your friends had mentioned they
had foot tall ones. If you control the size container, that will
determine how tall the plant will get. Bring in as a tropical plant. If yours is in a large pot you could cut if off and take it in for the winter and it will come back out from the roots in spring.
Some dig up the plants with "pups" and store them in a lying down
position in a cellar or crawlspace or garage where the winters are not
so harsh. They need to be cut off first. They cannot freeze. The "pups" then will grow from the plant when put in the ground next year when the adult may or may not survive.
***Sher***
--- In PlantsandFlowers@yahoogroups.com, "Cherry"
> HELP - any special instructions on care -- they said they just dug
> them, and kept them in their heated garage over winter....and I'd sure
> like to keep this alive and healthy...
> suggestions appreciated!
First of all, you need to know what variety it is. Typical commercial
bananas get very tall. If it is a dwarf variety, you can propagate it
in the house. We have had "one" for about 15 years. I put the one in
quotes because it is about the fifth generation.
They grow to max height, flower, fruit and crash. In the meantime a new
shoot arises like the Phoenix and starts all over again. Ours has fruit on it now.
Kellie - thanks -- and surprise surprise -- there's another new leaf
growing -- talk about wild...I think it likes being in the house with
a window -- just hope it doesn't get too tall. We were out on the deck
stacking wood and looked in window at the leaf - and what was that --
a new spike coming up -- a new leaf! so now to turn the large planter
just a bit... hope to get pix on my fun site soon...
CK
Diane.... oh ya we weathered the last storm just fine -- good to be
working from home so I don't HAVE to be out in rain that turns to ice
then turns to snow...worst hit were eastern MO on east of that... HOPE
EVERYONE is ok!
My hibiscus has several buds that will open in a few weeks (very
timely!). I also have peppers blooming and growing. It is so great to
see plants blooming indoors in the winter...
Bulbs are stored and doing well in the basement, seeds gathered and
when I cut up a butternut squash to bake or cook - the seeds get saved
for those who would enjoy them. (Some will be salted and baked for
snacking.)
I "threw out" some old seeds last year that were some I'd "lost". I
had packages of seeds on a table, somehow one package (a duplicate)
fell off and into a box of papers to be stored. (biz papers have to be
kept so many years) Was going through boxes to see what still had to
be kept and oh my a package of flower seeds bit old - but -- had
several of the seeds (which were dumped into a compost area - former
compost area) - grow into lovely flowers!
CK
