How to Winterize Banana Plants - 6 methods (Musa basjoo and others)

Welcome to the ultimate guide to winterizing banana plants! We're diving deep into six methods for protecting musa basjoo and other banana plants in cold climates. Let's get your banana plants through the winter with finesse!

0:00 - Winterizing Musa Basjoos and other types of banana plants
0:48 - Understand what's important about winterizing bananas
1:37 - Method 1 - Do Nothing
2:35 - Method 2 - Chop and Drop
3:22 - Method 3 - Pot them up
5:40 - Method 4 - Store them dormant
7:24 - Method 5 - Wrapping the Stems
9:32 - Method 6 - The Cage Method

These are affiliate links to the products that I use to grow my banana plants
Banana Fuel fertilizer - https://vibonitatropics.com/banana-fe...
Musa Basjoo from FastGrowingTrees.com - https://fastgrowingtrees.sjv.io/GjYKkn
Check for Musa Basjoo Cold Hardy Banana Plants on Amazon in the US - https://amzn.to/3L3YFTI
Bubble Wrap - https://amzn.to/3Aj4Qhj
Alternate Wrap - https://amzn.to/3JMbLod
Clippers - https://amzn.to/3uZSbAF
Indoor / Outdoor Duct Tape - https://amzn.to/3v4zR9h
Rain Bird Drip Irrigation Kit - https://amzn.to/3Iu5kou

Method 1 - The Natural Approach:
This method is as simple as it gets. Let nature run its course without adding any protective measures.
Waste Reduction: No plastic or other materials needed, making it an eco-friendly option.
Climate Limitation: Best suited for hardy banana types in milder climates.

Method 2 - The Trim and Tidy Method:
Chop down the plants to a height that suits your aesthetic or leave as is.
Winter Appearance: Keeps your garden looking neat during the off-season.
Spring Impact: Expect shorter plants come spring, but don't worry—they'll grow back.

Method 3 - The Potting Strategy:
Excavate your plants carefully, starting from 6-12 inches out from the base, and pot them in containers with good drainage.
Winter Growth: Allows plants to continue growing over winter in a controlled environment.
Space and Effort: Requires space for storage and some heavy lifting.

Method 4- Dormancy:
Trim the banana plants, dig them out, and hang them to dry in a cool, dark place, like your garage. Once dry, move them to their winter sleeping quarters.
Conservation: No waste produced and conserves space.
Maturity Delay: This method takes a bit longer for the plants to reach maturity in the spring.

Method 5 - The Wrap Technique:
Use bubble wrap, burlap, or horticultural fleece to insulate your banana stems. This gives extra protection to the stems but does not provide extra protection to the corm.
Stem Protection: Especially beneficial for protecting taller stems.
Environmental Impact: While effective, this method does create waste due to the wrapping materials.

Method 6 - Cage Method:
Build a cage around the trimmed plants using materials like chicken wire or hay bales, and fill with leaves for insulation.
Real Protection: Of all methods, this one provides the most protection to banana plants in cold climates.
Labor Intensity: This method is more labor-intensive than the others.

Remember, the best approach for you will depend on your specific climate and space limitations. After arming yourself with these methods, continue your banana plant education with our next video, which breaks down the different parts of the plant for a comprehensive understanding of its care and needs. Let's get winterizing!

Overview of musa basjoo bananas -    • Musa Basjoo Cold Hardy Japanese Fiber...  
How to winterize musa basjoo bananas -    • How to Winterize Banana Plants - 6 me...  
Summer growth rates of musa basjoo bananas -
   • Crazy Growth of Musa Basjoos - Over 1...  
Musa Basjoo Flower Pods -    • How do I know my banana is going to f...  

#musabasjoo #coldhardy #bananaplant