Go for it Peter ! Summer is almost here.....or maybe not 😉. I'm sure they are as tough as old boots anyway so I can't see any risk letting them out of the bag 😁. I don't want to be fooled by the weather so my citrus will stay firmly inside 😎
Haha, thanks, Brett. Yeah, these can take a light frost no problem. I uncovered them around the same time last year and the year before, so I'm sure they will be fine. The citrus on the other hand will be kept safely inside the greenhouse for a little while longer yet lol 😂. Well, except for the inground clementine of course, which is uncovered too at the moment. Of course, I watch the weather like a hawk and cover it if frost is predicted.
Thanks, Nirmala. Yeah, they are very tough plants. I just didn't want to take a chance and lose the stem. The one in the front garden wasn't protected and did die back to the ground, but it is in a more exposed area and was smaller. I didn't want to go to the effort of protecting that one at the front though and thought it would look ugly with a big frost blanket over it haha 😂
Hey Peter, you did a good job of covering your bananas, and they are looking great 👍🏾 Thankfully this winter hasn’t been too cold and mine are not doing bad at all. I’m not ready to uncover mine yet 😃
Thanks, Joe! Yeah, I'm very happy with how these have done this winter, which thankfully as you mentioned has been fairly mild (compared to last year at least lol). I'm glad to hear that yours has made it this year too 🙌🍌🌴
They look really good Peter. The old leaves may have acted as a layer of insulation. I'm not lucky with musa, the longest I've had one it lasted over 2 winters but not in ground. How big were they when you planted them in ground were they small pups?
Thanks, Louise. Once they get to a decent size in the ground they do become much hardier. I would recommend planting one perhaps at the end of April or early May once the chance of frost has gone. They will do better in full sun, this one is in a WSW position, so gets more sun in the afternoon, but still gets quite a bit of sun from the south too. But should do fine in other locations as long as it gets a decent amount of light in summer. Yeah, I only planted one small pup back in 2021, here is a link to a video where you can see what it looked like when I first planted it: ua-cam.com/video/UQFHpIDf8Sc/v-deo.html I could always send you another, but I would highly recommend you plant it in the ground as they don’t do well in pots in the long term. This plant was grown in a pot for several years before I planted it but barely grew and kept dying back. After I planted it, it really took off.
Thanks Peter, if you can spare another, hopefully I can do better by planting in ground. I've just watched the video link and commented. If you would like a plant in exchange, ive got Betel leaf vine, or Citrus Pennivesiculata seedling 🌱 or Jamun plant to offer.
@@louiseahmedtropicalplantgr5000 yeah, I should be able to. I will wait until the smaller pups start to show new growth, perhaps by next month and then separate one for you. Yeah, I would be interested in a Citrus pennivesiculata 😊
Thanks! Yeah, they seem to have done well again this year. I checked back and I uncovered it in March last year and the year before, I guess I just can't wait for them to get going again haha 😂. Any really cold temperatures and I'll just throw the fleece jacket over it again temporarily, but hopefully, the worst of the weather is over for this year 🤞
Looks like they are doing very well, Peter. Fingers crossed that at least one of them does flower, and that the yearly winter foliage dieback and dormancy does not hamper the ability to flower and fruit. I take it that Basjoo fruits are perfectly edible, but they are heavily seeded? My 'dwarf' Cavendish is doing very well. Indoors under my growlights it never goes into a dormant state. I would not dare have this outdoors during winter! I am actually very surprised just how healthy it looks when you consider that the amount of sunlight it gets indoors is limited compared to if it were outside. There is no sign of etoliation (stretching) whatsoever. Now that it is in a highly aerating mix of coconut husk chips, perlite, pumice and hydrokorrels, the root rot I had around this time last year has not happened again. I have been doing some research into root rot. Beneficial fungi (mycorrhizae, trichoderma) and bacteria (such as Bacillus subtilis) help discourage growth of pathogenic fungi. I've read that gypsum (which is calcium sulphate) helps prevent root rot in prone species such as avocado. I figure that it is the calcium ion (Ca2+) itself that's the active component (as opposed to the sulphate anion), so I've ordered some calcium nitrate, which is a highly soluble soluble (and faster-acting) source of calcium than the sparingly soluble sulphate salt of calcium (gypsum).
Thanks, Gary! Yeah, I'm hoping it will eventually flower and fruit. I hear that the fruits tend to be seedless (unless they get pollinated, which is less likely in our climate) I think you would need another basjoo flowering with the male flowers open at the same time as the female flowers on the other to get them to cross-pollinate. But I have seen a couple of taste reviews of basjoo, and none of them gave it glowing reviews lol 😂. But if I ever do get them to produce fruits, I will of course give them a taste lol 😂 Great to hear that you Dwarf Cavendish is still doing really well! I still really struggle with root rot on my indoor potted banana plants. However, I have recently found that the ones I repotted into coconut coir and perlite 50/50 and then covered with a plastic bag have done the best. I just have to remember to feed them regularly as there are no nutrients in the mix and the leaves start to come out very small and pale. You'll have to let us know how you get on with that new method of preventing root rot, it might make an interesting topic for a UA-cam video 😉
Hey, Peter, it would depend on the size of your plant and whether you are in a milder area, or perhaps a cooler more rural location. You are much further south than me, so I'd say you have a good chance down there. I am only really concerned about temperatures lower than around -2°C, which I'm hoping we won't get at this time of year, but it's not totally out of the question. If the pseudostem is thicker than your fist and it seems very sturdy, then it should be fine. If I see any really cold temperatures, I'll just throw that plant jacket back over it all for a few nights 👍
Thanks, Gordon! It feels like ages ago when I had to cover it, but it was only about 3 months ago though lol. It will be a little while longer before I'll be brave enough to bring the more tender bananas outside.
The Musa Basjoo looks great Peter and they are bigger than mine. I have not looked at the long term weather forecast, but I am going to keep to my schedule and unwrap mine in April as usual.
Thanks, Mike! Yeah, I figured that since the weather was looking decent for the next fortnight here (at least mild enough for a basjoo), I might as well let them get some fresh air. I checked back and last year and the year before I uncovered them around the same time. I hope I can eventually get one to produce a flower 🤞
Hey Irene, I would say anytime from now really. As they are just starting to grow it would be a good time to get some slow-release organic fertiliser down. I'm going to feed mine soon with some blood, fish and bone and some chicken manure.
They're looking good, Peter. The central stems are ready to enjoy the warmer temps we're getting. I look forward to seeing how much they progress this year.
Thanks, Dom! Yeah, I have been itching to take off the winter protection haha 😂. I must admit they do look a bit crap for a couple of months lol, but once they get going they really do give a real tropical feel to the garden 🌴🍌
Go for it Peter ! Summer is almost here.....or maybe not 😉.
I'm sure they are as tough as old boots anyway so I can't see any risk letting them out of the bag 😁.
I don't want to be fooled by the weather so my citrus will stay firmly inside 😎
Haha, thanks, Brett. Yeah, these can take a light frost no problem. I uncovered them around the same time last year and the year before, so I'm sure they will be fine. The citrus on the other hand will be kept safely inside the greenhouse for a little while longer yet lol 😂. Well, except for the inground clementine of course, which is uncovered too at the moment. Of course, I watch the weather like a hawk and cover it if frost is predicted.
great winter coverings, those look great. you already have a big head start at that height
Thanks, yeah I'm glad I was able to maintain the height again this year. Hopefully, they put on good growth again this year 🤞
WOOOO!!!! GONNA GET A FLOWWR THIS YEAR
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a flower 🤞
@@PeterEntwistle this has got to be the year hope for a warm summer!
I haven’t covered mine at all since I had and that’s 2 winters. New leaves are coming now.
Thanks, Nirmala. Yeah, they are very tough plants. I just didn't want to take a chance and lose the stem. The one in the front garden wasn't protected and did die back to the ground, but it is in a more exposed area and was smaller. I didn't want to go to the effort of protecting that one at the front though and thought it would look ugly with a big frost blanket over it haha 😂
Hey Peter, you did a good job of covering your bananas, and they are looking great 👍🏾
Thankfully this winter hasn’t been too cold and mine are not doing bad at all.
I’m not ready to uncover mine yet 😃
Thanks, Joe! Yeah, I'm very happy with how these have done this winter, which thankfully as you mentioned has been fairly mild (compared to last year at least lol). I'm glad to hear that yours has made it this year too 🙌🍌🌴
They look really good Peter. The old leaves may have acted as a layer of insulation. I'm not lucky with musa, the longest I've had one it lasted over 2 winters but not in ground. How big were they when you planted them in ground were they small pups?
Thanks, Louise. Once they get to a decent size in the ground they do become much hardier. I would recommend planting one perhaps at the end of April or early May once the chance of frost has gone. They will do better in full sun, this one is in a WSW position, so gets more sun in the afternoon, but still gets quite a bit of sun from the south too. But should do fine in other locations as long as it gets a decent amount of light in summer. Yeah, I only planted one small pup back in 2021, here is a link to a video where you can see what it looked like when I first planted it: ua-cam.com/video/UQFHpIDf8Sc/v-deo.html
I could always send you another, but I would highly recommend you plant it in the ground as they don’t do well in pots in the long term. This plant was grown in a pot for several years before I planted it but barely grew and kept dying back. After I planted it, it really took off.
Thanks Peter, if you can spare another, hopefully I can do better by planting in ground. I've just watched the video link and commented. If you would like a plant in exchange, ive got Betel leaf vine, or Citrus Pennivesiculata seedling 🌱 or Jamun plant to offer.
@@louiseahmedtropicalplantgr5000 yeah, I should be able to. I will wait until the smaller pups start to show new growth, perhaps by next month and then separate one for you. Yeah, I would be interested in a Citrus pennivesiculata 😊
Looking good! I'll wait another few weeks, I think. Either way I think the proper freezes are past us.
Thanks! Yeah, they seem to have done well again this year. I checked back and I uncovered it in March last year and the year before, I guess I just can't wait for them to get going again haha 😂. Any really cold temperatures and I'll just throw the fleece jacket over it again temporarily, but hopefully, the worst of the weather is over for this year 🤞
I’ll wait til April. Good luck ❤
Cheers, Harold. Yeah, no harm in waiting a bit longer, although I'm hoping the worst of the cold weather is over for this year 🤞
Looks like they are doing very well, Peter. Fingers crossed that at least one of them does flower, and that the yearly winter foliage dieback and dormancy does not hamper the ability to flower and fruit. I take it that Basjoo fruits are perfectly edible, but they are heavily seeded?
My 'dwarf' Cavendish is doing very well. Indoors under my growlights it never goes into a dormant state. I would not dare have this outdoors during winter! I am actually very surprised just how healthy it looks when you consider that the amount of sunlight it gets indoors is limited compared to if it were outside. There is no sign of etoliation (stretching) whatsoever.
Now that it is in a highly aerating mix of coconut husk chips, perlite, pumice and hydrokorrels, the root rot I had around this time last year has not happened again.
I have been doing some research into root rot. Beneficial fungi (mycorrhizae, trichoderma) and bacteria (such as Bacillus subtilis) help discourage growth of pathogenic fungi. I've read that gypsum (which is calcium sulphate) helps prevent root rot in prone species such as avocado. I figure that it is the calcium ion (Ca2+) itself that's the active component (as opposed to the sulphate anion), so I've ordered some calcium nitrate, which is a highly soluble soluble (and faster-acting) source of calcium than the sparingly soluble sulphate salt of calcium (gypsum).
Thanks, Gary! Yeah, I'm hoping it will eventually flower and fruit. I hear that the fruits tend to be seedless (unless they get pollinated, which is less likely in our climate) I think you would need another basjoo flowering with the male flowers open at the same time as the female flowers on the other to get them to cross-pollinate. But I have seen a couple of taste reviews of basjoo, and none of them gave it glowing reviews lol 😂. But if I ever do get them to produce fruits, I will of course give them a taste lol 😂
Great to hear that you Dwarf Cavendish is still doing really well! I still really struggle with root rot on my indoor potted banana plants. However, I have recently found that the ones I repotted into coconut coir and perlite 50/50 and then covered with a plastic bag have done the best. I just have to remember to feed them regularly as there are no nutrients in the mix and the leaves start to come out very small and pale.
You'll have to let us know how you get on with that new method of preventing root rot, it might make an interesting topic for a UA-cam video 😉
Good video mate, hopefully you will even more growth and height on them this year. They will look great 😮
Thanks, Matt. I can't wait until they get growing away again. Hope yours have made it through the winter ok too 🤞
Yeah they are growing away nicely, still tucked up inside my garage
Do you think it's safe to uncover mine I live near southdowns. Thanks
Hey, Peter, it would depend on the size of your plant and whether you are in a milder area, or perhaps a cooler more rural location. You are much further south than me, so I'd say you have a good chance down there. I am only really concerned about temperatures lower than around -2°C, which I'm hoping we won't get at this time of year, but it's not totally out of the question. If the pseudostem is thicker than your fist and it seems very sturdy, then it should be fine. If I see any really cold temperatures, I'll just throw that plant jacket back over it all for a few nights 👍
Another inspiring short video. , all my bananas are indoors so far in Ayrshire 🎉
Thanks, Gordon! It feels like ages ago when I had to cover it, but it was only about 3 months ago though lol. It will be a little while longer before I'll be brave enough to bring the more tender bananas outside.
The Musa Basjoo looks great Peter and they are bigger than mine. I have not looked at the long term weather forecast, but I am going to keep to my schedule and unwrap mine in April as usual.
Thanks, Mike! Yeah, I figured that since the weather was looking decent for the next fortnight here (at least mild enough for a basjoo), I might as well let them get some fresh air. I checked back and last year and the year before I uncovered them around the same time. I hope I can eventually get one to produce a flower 🤞
@@PeterEntwistle they look like the flowering size Peter. It will be wonderful to see
When to start feeding Peter
Hey Irene, I would say anytime from now really. As they are just starting to grow it would be a good time to get some slow-release organic fertiliser down. I'm going to feed mine soon with some blood, fish and bone and some chicken manure.
Mine look good too
I'm glad to hear yours have made it through the winter too Irene 👍
They're looking good, Peter. The central stems are ready to enjoy the warmer temps we're getting.
I look forward to seeing how much they progress this year.
Thanks, Dom! Yeah, I have been itching to take off the winter protection haha 😂. I must admit they do look a bit crap for a couple of months lol, but once they get going they really do give a real tropical feel to the garden 🌴🍌