I have always enjoyed growing tropical plants up north were they should not be growing. I have had some great sucsess over the years trying new forms. The colocasias I have found several that will survive here and I have been testing out different bananas with really good results.
Basjoo banana is becoming famous for being the worlds hardiest banana. I am not sure if it is truely the hardiest of all bananas but I know it's not the only one. I have been growing around 5 different species that can survive here in zone6 if mulched. Most of the forms I am growing have been suggested or given to be from a very good friend in Alabama he has been testing bananas for many years. I have found that the ones that grow well for him usually will do well for me if I mulch them up. He usually leaves his out with no protection during the winter. He recently suggest two new forms which he has tested for a few years both he said should be great here if I mulch them up. Has anyone else grown these two?
Musa Becarii
Musa textilus
New Hardy Bananas??
I have musa becarii in the ground. I think it is a little too early yet, here, to see if it survived. I have about 12 different musas planted, and I am hoping that most survive the winter.
What are the ones that you have found to be hardy there, Brian? You mentioned 5?
Basjoo
itenerans
itenerans giant form
Sp nova from china
Velutina
bordeline
raja puri
sikkimensis 3 forms
dwarf orinaco
musella lasiacarpa
these are just a few I know off hand spelling might not be correct on them all.
I know
you guys all send me pups and we can REALLY see if they are hardy
ROTFLMAO
I've been chicken too winter any over outside
I haven't even gotten any of the hardy ones because I want nanas...
there is no way any will grow and fruit in my short summers.......
I don't think......
or can they?????
but I am thinking of trying some hardys in 2 areas in my garden
one is a southern exposure ,near rock and concrete,(figure it might hold the heat)
the other borders an area that never really freezes(even at -20)
(shhhhhh.....its over my leach field)
Seriously
do you think its worth me trying?
I'll get some if you guys REALLY think they are hardy
I winter all my nanas in the GH and they do OK
but I need a taller GH
I have 3 in there that are smooshed against the roof
(its 13 feet)