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Musa Basjoo -plant out?

GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172

Hi folks,

I've just bought a Musa Basjoo Japanese Banana. I know it's probably not the right time of year to be getting one but it was a bit of an impulse buy. I've read it's hardy down to -10c but presumably that's a mature/established one. I'm on the south coast and it doesn't often get that cold in winter. Does anyone know whether I can plant it out now or would it be better to pot it up into a terracotta pot for now.

Cheers

James

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,538

    I would use  a plastic pot, it will probably have to be sacrificed as the plant grows. Pot it a couple of inches bigger than it is now. It need to be frost free over winter. If you have no conservatory or greenhouse, cut the leaves off in November, Wrap the top in fleece and keep up against a wall.

  • GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172

    Thanks fidget, I'll do that. Will it be happier in my conservatory (which is more like a living room with big patio doors and kept at room temperature) or my unheated greenhouse? 

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,538

    Bananas are tropical. If you can keep it warm in  a conservatory, you can enjoy the leaves all winter and get a head start on next summer. You won't need to fleece it. Just don't let it be next to the glass which will be colder in freezing weather.

  • GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172

    Thanks, I think I'll bring it in now as it's a bit of a chilly night here brrr!

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,538

    I'm thinking of bringing mine in in the next week or so.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,538

    Its a bit bigger than yours.Ensete ventricosum "Maurelii"image

  • GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172

    Wow that's lovely! I'm trying to get a tropical theme going with the stanard plants like fatsia and cannas, etc. The banana will hopefully finish off the effect as long as I can keep it alive over the winter lol.

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,538

    That was bought as a reduced to £5 at this time of year, two years ago.

  • GuybrushGuybrush Posts: 172

    That's a bargain! Mine was £11.99. I'll have to keep my eye out for any reduced price items in the next few weeks.

    James

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