Did My Musa Basjoo Banana Tree Survive the Winter? Zone 5B/6A 

I have this banana tree planted 2005 and I did all of that protection thing and after that first year I said guys you’re on your own and they have done well and stand about 22’ tall.

My experience taught me that covering banana trees with plastic was not good as it kept the humidity inside and that led to mould. The roots need some air to overwinter properly.

I have grown Musa Basjoo for the last 30 years here in western Maryland some years they have reached 18 feet high. I live in borderline zone 6.I never cut them down till the nighttime temperature goes above freezing. The soil is clay amended with peat and goat manure to a depth of 18 inches when I planted it. Now I throw a shovel of goat poop on it once in spring after the pups start sprouting and nothing else except water when it gets super dry. I cut them back one fall and mulched them heavily and almost lost them due to rot from too much water sitting and freezing the roots over winter. I never mulch them anymore and they do much better. Hope this helps others who love these beautiful plants. Be well!

I’m in Cincinnati, Ohio zone 6 and I just cut mine down to to about 6 inches each year , leave in the ground, cover with its own leaves and including about 6 inches of mulch on top. I put an unopened bag of mulch on top of the mounded mulch. The banana usually grow through the bag. I’ve kept two in pots that I bring inside and one has started growing inedible bananas. It’s a beautiful sight.

I'm on the boarder of zone 6/7 in Virginia (mountains). Have had success with this plant. I probably will never see it flower as the main stem needs to survive for 3 seasons (so I've read) to produce flower/fruit (fruit is inedible on musa basjoo).... None the less, it's an amazing plant and a lot of fun to watch grow from nothing to a giant within a few months time. Thanks for the fertilizing tip. I've never-ever fed mine but they grow fine but I'm going to feed mine this year to see if they can get even bigger :) I do not protect mine for winter at all. The main stems usually die totally to the ground but right about April they pop up and by June are well on their way to being giants :) I will add that I only have clay soil here and they don't seem to mind that a bit! I don't think this plant is too picky other than needing a lot of sun, heat, and water during it's growing season.

Great video. And I'm glad you left the blooper in. Made me smile.

Keeping it alive is a win, in my opinion. Already looking forward to next year's results.

0:39 that was epic!!

Good job! The stump will always die. the corm is the heart of the plant and that resides underground. You did perfect 👍🏽.

I use Repels All to keep the deer and groundhogs off my plants. Works great, but remember to reapply often and after rain.

That thing really does grow fast

Thanks for the video. I find it informative. Now, I need to think about deer protection.

Hello from Westlake! Hoping you post an update on the bananas!

I may be asking too soon because I am still watching, but if the trunk DID survive the winter, what would grow on it? Don't they always grow from below ground?

Nice vid! Subbed up! I too have deer problems here in Mn. I grow Carolina Reapers to combat. I use 1-3 pods to 1 blender full of water. mix, sein and put in spray bottle WITH GLOVES AND EYE PROTECTION. I spray it all around the plants and alil on them too.

I have a huge stand of these, with bananas! Look. No need to do this. No need to cut to a stump. There are two ways. Plant against a South facing wall and use the wilted growth to insulate the trunk. I cut them to 6 feet. I then just wrap them with some bubble wrap. Come spring they take off. I get bananas every couple of years from spear suckers I move to new spots. Just gave away about 20 of these.

More leaves way more and just take the top off your plastic cut a hole. Leaves I mean like maple leaves tons of them over winter an don't rake them away

I think the main Problem would be that in zones like that you ll need an source of heat. All the leafs and stuff would freeze eventually...

I wouldn't cut the plant in half like that. just cut the leaves off and properly insulate the entire plant. . as you have so many new plants now maybe you could try it

Hey , so its been over a year since your vid!! any new tips, I just bought 4 after seeing your vid!!! I'm in 5B zone!

take a matras and cut half, like you have 2 matras. cut the banana where the leafs growing. tie the matras with wire or something, that protect the tree proper against freezing. and put a water resistent plastic bag above, and viola you got your banana tree ready for the freezing weather.

I got mine for 24 bucks hopefully it grows fast like yours

Awesome video, thank you!

We have some cold hardy bananas in our garden (probably similar to yours but i don't know it for sure). We treat them about the same as you (pack them with leaves in the winter). They usually come back at the original stump but not always. I believe the Problem is when they get too wet in the winter the stump gets soaked and just rots away. Next winter i wanna try putting a tarp on the top. btw if a banana flowers or is just about to flower, the original stump will not come back next year. Also, some more videos of the banana throughout the year would be nice ;)

That’s what I have!! Trunks Or stumps left. So do I take the stump out ? These grew back last year but I don’t see shoots ueyc

Nice property. How do you keep all that grass watered and cut?

where r u located

You doing an update this year?

Hello I’m in NE Ohio as well. Could I tarp my banana tree with fleece without chopping it all away so it could keep its height for the next summer? Or would it be best if I chopped most away

Yummy cactus! LOL!

can you cut those and make 3 separate trees? move 3 in 3 different spots?

where do you buy oak leaves in bulk ?

Insulation and ventilation are key

Is this a fruiting variety??

2nd video so far of Ohioans with banana trees. I am in Ohio. A friend has huge ones and he gave me a pup.

🔥🔥🔥👍👌

I hear that bananas walk or crawl along I have weeds that die in winter but come back from the original stump a foot away in summer,perhaps bananas do the same in search of new ground an neutrients

Did your tree produced fruit last year?

Triple it !