How to Overwinter the Red Abyssinian Banana, Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'

In this video I show how to overwinter the Abyssinian ensete banana dry. I also discuss the other ways of overwintering this tender banana in the temperate zone.
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[@peterlindstrom9667]

I referred to this youtube video last fall when wanting to overwinter my friends ensete bananas. The results this year were just spectacular. Thank you so much. Preparing now for the second over-wintering.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

I am very glad to hear that. It's great to be able to keep those ensetes year on year. They make such an important addition to the tropical garden. 🌴🐦🌴

[@HomeGrownZoneHGZTV]

Oh boy! I got my work cut out for my 8 foot banana if I want too save her overwinter. Thanks for sharing.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Good luck!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Very timely for my own Abyssinian 🍌! I chopped all the leaves off save one (I shed a tear) and wrestled it into the greenhouse. No gym visits needed this week. I think next year I’ll need to try your drying method.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

It is that time of year, Jeff. Lots to do and no gym needed. Happy growing!

[@FernandaNascimentoOrchids]

It is a cool method if you grow it in a cooler climat. And this way you restrict its growth, keeping it portable😀. Banana bushes can grow so big. Very interesting videos, this one and last year's too.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Thank you, Fernanda. Happy growing!

[@mandyhahn4507]

Thank you!! I have 3 Red bananas over 5 feet tall I need to save here in Wisconsin. Our winters can be frightening. I hope I’m successful. Can you imagine how big they will get after next summer?!?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Aren't these bananas just amazing! Best of luck with your propagation!

[@MicksMasdevalliaorchids]

Great info Rachel, was wondering how to over winter mine. Thanks for sharing.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Glad to be of help, Mick

[@BBQNBLUES]

Here in the Mid-South (Tennessee) most are stored bare root under our houses... laying flat. If you leave a Large Trunk intact...They're Heavy, but in the Spring when planted, you'll have a head start on producing a flower stalk/bananas.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

That is really interesting. Personally I have never stored mine any way except upright as I heard plenty of tales about distorted regrowths. Maybe it is down to how long you store them on their sides and at what point you turn them upright.

[@VancouverIslandgirl]

Great information, thanks for sharing.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

You are most welcome.

[@bellaguzica3646]

Super video!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Thank you. Have a great day.

[@pirosbalvi8598]

Best information!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Thank you so much and glad you found it useful.

[@ARLITAGARDEN]

Great info thank you for the tips because I love Gardening also..i have dwarf banana 🍌 but I planted outside in my garden i can't isolate it i hope it will not dry

[@GardeningatDouentza]

I hope you have a mild climate. Good luck.

[@ARLITAGARDEN]

@@GardeningatDouentza thanks again i hope soo we have Moderate Climate but it looks it will be freezing.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

What a timely video, Jeff (Tropical Plants at 53 Degrees North) was just asking on IG what to do with his. Will you be dry storing the Alocasia as well?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

It is that time of year! Maybe next year for the alocasia!

[@elparaisodedenis]

Hi Rachel great job i do the same thing whit my alocasias plant, i have a new video about hoyas a lot of greetings from Serbia !

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Maybe I'll try this method with my alocasia next year. Happy growing.

[@elparaisodedenis]

@@GardeningatDouentza Thank you so much !

[@valjalava1951]

Great video my husband cut are banana tree right off at the base of the banana and washed off all the dirt and we have it upside down now so do you think it will come back in the spring,,when do you pot it up for spring

[@GardeningatDouentza]

If I understand you correctly, your husband cut the ensete banana trunk to the base. I'm not sure what you have left? Roots and a stump with white flesh exposed? I would be surprised if a banana can withstand such brutal treatment but I hope for your sake it does.

[@alanthecat59]

i have second year from seed , outside no cover apart from heavey mulch last winter , currently 12ft plus...... , worth the risk, south somerset uk

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Lucky you to live in such a mild climate!

[@alanthecat59]

@@GardeningatDouentza risk it , for a biscuit

[@GardeningatDouentza]

@@alanthecat59 It should be said that this is a very tender banana 🍌 and your experience overwintering it is not representative of how people should proceed unless they are prepared to loose their plant.

[@alanthecat59]

@@GardeningatDouentzaits a risk for sure ,but if you fancy a massive plant , i mean huge ,its worth the risk to me. if it survives this winter so into third year 2021 , it will be bonkers big ,,,, so fun I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.

[@soumyar4053]

Hi can we keep potted plant directly in the garage under grow lights?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

It depends on the temperature. I have kept potted plants at a 5 degree minimum in a greenhouse in winter, with no watering, and they have survived ut it is not generally recommended.

[@andizhanstuey]

Hello, how and when do you start off these dry stored ensetes? Is there a video? I'm in S Wales. Thank you 😊

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Definitely start your ensete into growth now! Sorry, I have no video on it but try this one by Yorkshire Kris... kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTSioSsgdOCjqc

[@larrydemonte2218]

My trees are 14 feet high I have them planted in garden,,can I just cut them down to 4 ft and pot the root ball and keep them in the house?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

You can, of course, do whatever you like. Ensete however tend to excrete moisture from the leaf tips and that is troublesome in the home environment and doesn't bode well for the plant. Besides, what a shame to waster that extra 10ft you took the trouble of growing!

[@larrydemonte2218]

@@GardeningatDouentza so I guess I will have to cut them down anyway to put them in dormancy, I guess I’ll probably go that way. Thank you.

[@doubleoseven4068]

If I cut mine down to 6 inches from the ground will it grow back? The trunk is presently 4 feet tall.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

That would not be a good idea. One of the reasons for winter protection is to protect the trunk so you don't undo all the time you've spent waiting for your ensete to grow.

[@jenniferg359]

So just to clarify, in the spring this exact method you just showed can be planted back in whatever pot/area you decide and grow fine? Or is propagation mandatory after this process.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Yes, in spring you can pot up the ensete again and then coax it into growth with gradual and careful watering.

[@darcylyon9986]

What about dwarf cavendish? Do you know anything about those? Are they similar?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

The dwarf cavendish is a musa, a different type of banana. It CANNOT be overwintered in this way.

[@darcylyon9986]

@@GardeningatDouentza what should I do?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

This banana is supposedly hardy to about 3C. I would not risk it that low so. Best to put it in your greenhouse or house overwinter.

[@cesarlourenco2867]

Mine is a musa too! Shall i move indoors with the pot without any trimming? Thanks

[@GardeningatDouentza]

@@cesarlourenco2867 Musa is hardier than ensete bananas and the Musa basjoo is the hardiest of all. Depending on where you live, Musa basjoo can be left outdoors. In a hard winter you will loose the trunk but the plant will regrow from the base. Here is the RHS guide to protecting bananas outdoors in winter, which you may find useful. www.rhs.org.uk/plants/articles/wisley/protecting-bananas-over-winter

[@johnoneill9539]

We cannot understand or! get a replacement plant for one we had for 15 years! it grew each summer! being cleanly (O! yes! )cut back with a saw! every end of October, previously growing in its sheltered spot to a height of around🤷‍♂️🤗? 10ft each summer, each leaf being 6ft in length, the thing is, anyone Please!🙏 where can we bye a replacement, idiouts here on Guernsey have not heard! of the variety.. Need instant delivery to🎉 plant ((we do know)) , now!…HELP! Please, where to order…

[@andizhanstuey]

What is the tall plant to the right at the end of the video please? In the greenhouse?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Bartlettina sordida

[@andizhanstuey]

@@GardeningatDouentza Thank you 😊

[@geesgardeningclubuk5247]

Im building a shed just for my tropicals

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Good for you!

[@helenhawkins4054]

☑️

[@larryclaffy1948]

I dig banana trees, cut off the leaves, trim the roots and leave the height alone. These can go into a bit of dirt or just in the basement to go dormant while dry. They sprout the next year from the top and are much taller plants. on a side note I was waiting for blood in this video. lol

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Haha

[@adkrijgsman]

You did a little bit dangerous with your knife cutting the leaves. Do these plant give real bananas to eat?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

The things we do for the camera,eh! This banana would never fruit in my climate for sure. Thanks for watching and happy growing.

[@umerc7806]

Woman one slip of that knife 😟

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Man, 😂😂😂

[@NotAsTraceable]

Maybe don't saw with that knife toward your face and neck?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

😅

[@Soviless99]

don’t worry, she’s more careful than you

[@nealstilson8425]

😢dont cut to your head

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Okay