How to Protect Musa Basjoo Banana Plants for Winter UK - A Quick Guide

[@cathysmythe1258]

Could tell you were getting cold ‘either way, do what you want…’ 😂😂 thank you for going over and above!!!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha maybe, yes 😂 It’s all part of the tropical plant game isn’t it!

[@wesleyhackney]

I know it gets colder where you are vs panhandle of Florida but I still have to freeze protect mine cause we usually get 3-4 nights below freezing to 25 F sometimes. I keep my leaves on.and then wrap the stalk from top with frost cloth then come back and wrap a layer of bubble wrap over that using small bubble size. When it get cold and kills the leaves they then droop down and help cover the banana with another layer of protection. I’ve been extremely successful with this technique. I got 3 bunches this year from non Musa Bajoo variety bananas and they were great. For sure your technique will work. I used to do that when I grew bananas in Raleigh NC in growing zone 6-7 but used leaves from my oak trees vs straw to save money.

[@stevebacon1026]

Hi george. That vlog was an excellent one , and you have probably helped a lot of people . Im protecting mine in next couple of days. My musso is massive, and has now decided to get under my patio! It has a lot of strength in that departement, so if anyone reading this take care where you plant yours!!. Regards . Steve.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Steve, happy to help and all the best with yours - I’m sure you’ll do a more professional job! Oh wow, yours is a proper monster and that’s a good point, a mature clump definitely has a serious base and real energy. Easier sorted than a pesky bamboo though! All the best and I hope you have a great weekend Steve.

[@GO-PIES-r6k]

You are the most articulate and well spoken person on KZbin 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha I don’t know about that, certainly not after a busy day at work and minimal sleep but thank you so much and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend 😊

[@GO-PIES-r6k]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden give yourself a little more credit 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@samanthalonghurst-howes1465]

I loved the nighttime gardening George! You always put a smile on my face. Sending you and your family love and happiness. Xxx

[@MattiasTiivel]

Gonna wrap up mine soon too, no frost here yet, but there probably will be soon! Great tutorial George!

[@andizhanstuey]

Another very useful post. I've wrapped mine for many years now and they've got to the height when it's a real chore! I use loft insulation held in place with cable ties and covered with a fleece bag. Always horrified by the number of snails and earthworms that have climbed the stems by spring. Your idea of making a cap of roofing/house wrap is genius, like you say, keeps the rain out while allowing it to breathe. Deffo doing that this year! Many thanks for what you do, always learn something new 👍 I'm in the valleys S.Wales.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! Yes, loft insulation works great if you can keep it dry but yes, it’s certainly a task when they get big. At least most of the insects etc just clear up the old / dead growth. I don’t know if it’s worthy of the word genius haha but I thought about it whilst looking at a washing basket. Something telescopic that does the same job maybe, waterproof on top and with vents in the sides. I know some people have used plastic manhole riser rings but they’re quite expensive for what they are and sections of ducting can take up a lot of space so my thought was a nice compromise. Thanks for watching and great to know you’ve had success with a similar method 😊

[@ARW.7]

This made a MASSIVE difference to mine last year. Rather than the trunks restarting ground up, I had almost a 2m advantage at the start of the year 😃🎉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fantastic, it makes a big difference during potentially colder winters doesn't it. A 2m basjoo is cool and everything but a 3 / 4m clump really has impact and is well worth a couple of hours of effort to me at least!

[@Fire-gv2wz]

That’s what I will be doing this weekend. Thanks you 👍

[@Fire-gv2wz]

Sorry I forgot to ask what size bags are you using by there please. Hopefully I can order some from amazon later today. Thank you 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, sorry I couldn’t reply in time, these are the 120 x 180cm bags I linked to in the description but I’ll be ordering a 200 x 240cm to go over the top.

[@Fire-gv2wz]

@ thank you George 👍

[@richardjohnson7984]

Hi George, - another great vid. Loving the nocturnal element! - This was me this afternoon as the light closed in just after 4. I'm in Swindon Wiltshire and for the last couple of years have got away with just pretty much bandaging my musa basjoos in fleece and putting a hat on them like a cut off pop bottle. They're established beasts with 2 metre leaf span and was a shame to cut all that off! This has worked for me but I am in a postage stamp garden in the middle of a built up area. I can't quite bring myself to try a 'control' just to see if there is any micro climate. maybe i will if i get any more pups next year. 🙂

[@amphetaminelogic7006]

Nice 1 george. Ive been using same technique, different materials. 6 ft wide wire fencing cilinders around pseudo stem. Fill with all greens from garden ( even bananaleaves, oak leaves, tetrapanax leave, basically anything available. After that i use plastic bags 6ft deep, 1m across that re used on germany for disposal of glasswool. Instead of rope i prefer 1mm coated wire for fixing the whole thing. Finallybi fix bag to ground with ground pins. As close as possible to 100% recyclable. Bags/ wire mesh last for years, and all greens are free compost. People claim the moisture in the greens are too much, but ive never lost a basjoo rhis way on over a decade.

[@LORRAINE-z3h]

Thanks George, love your videos, always informative. Keep up the good work , this has been my first year collecting tropicals, and I am already excited to see what next year will bring when they are all planted.

[@essexhognose1808]

Me too, I've got plenty in pots and undercover ready for planting next year

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Lorraine, I try my best 😊 Exciting stuff, I hope you enjoy making your plans and preparations over winter and spring. Good luck with it all!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fantastic, it’s definitely an exciting time building a collection together and looking forward to seeing the design coming together. Good luck with it all 😊

[@vanessawarren2385]

Hi George, I'm wrapping mine in exactly the same way tomorrow, canes, fleece wrap, straw, and fleece sack. I will try the pot on top now seeing yours x Mine are new in the ground this year, so hoping for the best (East Hertfordshire) x

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Vanessa, good luck with them 😃

[@scrubjay93]

It's exactly time for mine too, here in Olympia, Washington, Pacific NW USA. I cut some of my oldest ones too short last winter and they rotted. Just wasn't being very careful. I have a large bunch that needs covering now and a smaller group of pups that I transplanted. I like all your suggestions and also appreciate all the ones in the comments 🙂 Got plenty of bamboo since I have a lot of timber and black bamboos on my property too.

[@tonycastro9997]

Hi George great video always look forward to them. I’ve got Musa Sikkimensis about 8ft tall and every year put chicken wire in stages of three foot then tied together with plant wire so you can easily undo it in the Spring then pack each section as you go with straw topped off with a plastic flower pot and then finish off by wrapping with fleece might be a bit overkill but always comes back each year. Interesting about the fleece quality and going for the 30 rather than 15 weight new to me so thanks for that. Cheers again.

[@PaulConnor100]

Funny George I was thinking of taking a chance with my Ensete using your method as it's only grew back to 3 ft after suffering from the strangles. I have the caterpillar tunnel ordered lol! 😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Oh dear - I nearly gave it a go with one of mine too! The strangles is easily sorted but you're right, in a cooler summer, it's frustrating to have to put the plant back further and limit it's growth. I hope you're joking about the caterpillar haha!

[@PaulConnor100]

@GeorgesJungleGarden yep only joking about the caterpillar tunnel. I took fear with the Ensete dug it out the same days as you 😅

[@carolynwalker2713]

Thanks for that. I will now have to go and re-do mine as I didn’t cut the leaves off first! It was quite a battle trying to wrap with the leaves still on!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries! If it’s a big job then don’t worry about the leaves, they should just dry out anyway. The main reason for taking them off is just to make it easier and more compact to wrap (as you’ve found out 😂)

[@milkweeddreams8828]

Quite cool here in N Florida today, 55F, but it'll be great for weeding...but when we do get the frosts, my yard will look like a beach scene with all the umbrellas put down for the season, grrrr...but with all the leaves trimmed, it's the time to paint trim on the house and add mulch to the culled leaves and fruits that will not mature...however I still have tons of bananas to eat, this has been a bonus year, my neighbors are loving me(I think)...lookin good George!

[@dbuts5136]

Thanks George. Any tips for protecting a relatively young tetrapanax? Do they need it ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, depending on the size I’d leave them to it, maybe using a fleece bag for exceptional cold spells. Ultimately they might get cut back in a very cold winter but there’s not a lot you can do to prevent it whilst they’re planted out and they would come back from the roots. Very young plants without a woody trunk get stored in the polytunnel here.

[@bdbevo]

Thanks for hosting "night school" George! Great idea to use the stakes with the pot lid. Have you ever tried digging one and dry storing it over winter like an ensete and comparing height and growth rate the next year with one that stayed in ground? -Bill

[@davidmaski8467]

Hi George, I'm brand new here on your channel. Your enthousiasm is contageous. Great video's! I started experimenting with palms 20 years ago. I then stopped doing that for years, and I restarted it this autumn. Trying Ph. Canariensis and Wash. Robusta here in Belgium, usda zone 8b, and some microclimate spots in my garden can be 9a. Looking for inspiration to try new methods, including soil biology and its influence on hardiness

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi David and thank you so much for your kind words! Great to hear about your story and I think given your climate I'd definitely be experimenting with P. canariensis and Washingtonias. I can't quite get away with them here but we're maybe closer to 8a. Obviously there's some people using heated protection etc. but that's something I've moved away from personally (currently) and yes, new methods and approaches are always intriguing. Soil biology is an interesting one and there's potentially a lot to be discovered beyond 'improving' soil on a particle / mineral level. Obviously the weather and microclimates are larger factors but in this game, the smallest things that can lead to a stronger plant can make all the difference can't they.

[@davidmaski8467]

@GeorgesJungleGarden You're right, a lot of factors come into play. Soil biology important for (efficiency) nutrient uptake and it protects against pathogens. We better stop giving nitrogen rich fertilizer in august/sept, instead we can give some extra potassium for stronger tissues. Palm trees are not trees, they are more like grass, maize.. Maize can grow earlier in spring when the seed is coated with bacteria that protect against rhizoctonia solani fungi. Maize is also a subtropical plant, and I want to know if rhizoctonia also plays a role in weakening of palms during our winters

[@davidmaski8467]

@GeorgesJungleGarden You have experience using seaweed-based fertilizer on palm trees? That's new for me

[@raichcarter1]

I used waterproof cheap washing line cover last year. This year also trying patio heater cover. Fleece direct onto stem then cover over the top. No straw.

[@jaminns3801]

^^ interesting!!! Last year i only throw a fleece over no straw on the cold nights then took the fleece off when above 0c all winter. Had a bananas on one of my trees this summer in South Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 I’m guessing breathability would be an issue with the washing line cover but if it’s just on & off over cold spells this sounds likes a really good idea which is more heavy duty than a fleece that crumbles by the end of the winter!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi @raichcarter1 - yes, I've heard of people using them and they look neat for sure. You're essentially using the fleece as the lower insulating layer like my straw and the washing line cover as the outer protective layer like my fleece jackets. Your method is definitely quicker. Obviously during a prolonged freeze in colder areas, the greater the thickness of insulation the better but for most modern winters in urban areas, being efficient can definitely work and save you time / mess!

[@jaminns3801]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden I’ve actually taken the advice above ^^ got some silver washing line covers from Amazon £6 each been on & off a few times the last couple of weeks & seems like this is a really good solution!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi @jaminns3801 - that's what I've done in previous winters but whereas I protect some plants less these days, I've decided that it's worth making more effort with the basjoos. In more sheltered areas, a quick bit of fleece and using a tarp / washing line cover etc. to keep the rain out can be a more efficient solution. Breathability isn't a huge concern with basjoo unlike palms etc. but I do try to have a dry layer of insulation (fleece / straw etc.) underneath it and close to the plant. When you have plastic without air gaps wrapped directly round a plant is when you have problems as it does very little to insulate and traps all the moisture in but there's nothing wrong with covering most of the protection with a waterproofing layer. I find the fleece bags are reasonably water resistant and last multiple years - it's worth paying more for the thicker ones with good reviews off Amazon etc. rather than just basic thin fleece ones.

[@steverichardson4374]

I youse sleep bags as well got different colour lucks funny and colourfull

[@stephb8178]

Hi George I’m in North Lincolnshire also and just setting off with my exotic garden. Plant sales just let me know 👍 Stephanie

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Stephanie, nice one, all the best with your plans and exotic garden adventure! If you follow my page on FB I generally share things like that over there as well as interesting plants at local nurseries.

[@craigrogers3864]

Just in time! I'm doing mine today 👌👌🍌🍌🍌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fantastic, hopefully you can do a better job in the daylight! To be fair you could probably make a neater version whilst blindfolded 😂

[@ronking9683]

I Have Always Used Bubble Wrap And Have Found It To Work Very Well. The Plants In The Ground Get Wrapped The Ones In Large Pots Get Dragged Into The Shed And The Small Pots Come Into The House .The Large Ones Are About Six Years Old And About Ten Feet Tall And Produced Bananas Last Year.

[@bdmsouth]

Hi George, it’s my 1st year with Ensette and Musa both in large pots. I was simply going to place them both in the garage - without wrapping or digging up/dry storing - would this work? Thanks - great content!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thanks. In theory it could work as long as it was dried out correctly and it doesn’t get too cold in there. The drier they are, the more likely they are to come through a colder winter.

[@thomaskrell3379]

Hi George, I know this is off topic in autumn but has there ever been a video where you explain how often you water your plants in summer? Maybe just a tip for a video next summer. I would really like to know what plants you water on a daily basis and what plants need less water. Do you water with a hose or do you have a sprinkler system? All these questions .... Keep them coming! Greetings from Germany (still on frost) Thomas 😊

[@JamesDobbin-p6m]

Hi George, great video. How big (kg) is the bag of barley straw? Just wondering how much to order for two Musa Basjoos and one Musella Lasiocarpa. I considered not wrapping the Musella as the pseudo stem is thicker than on the Basjoos and we live in the south of England, but I don’t want to risk it!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi James and thanks - personally I’d wrap the lasiocarpa if you’re going to leave it out. This was a 10kg bag I believe and it used just over half for this banana if it helps you plan.

[@JamesDobbin-p6m]

@ Perfect. Thanks, George.

[@ironian24]

Hi George, another good video, I have always left my Musa bajoo alone, I find the old dead leaves after a few frosts tend to help cover the main stem, every year they grow bigger and stronger as well as spread like wild fire, I must carefully dig a few up and s0read them around the garden in spring I think?

[@amandamiller7513]

I've brought my 3 indoors as they're still young, along with a fan palm and a tree fern. I live in Fife in Scotland, so i don't want to take any chances

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, given the cold temperatures you might get in winter that doesn't sound like a bad idea. Just be careful to keep the tree fern especially damp enough and let everything slowly acclimatise to the outdoor conditions when you take them back outside next spring.

[@amandamiller7513]

@GeorgesJungleGarden tree fern isn't looking so great, but as long as the crown doesn't die, it should be OK.....hopefully

[@lindahughes1699]

I wrapped mine yesterday 😮 i put fleece around, then sacking, then bubble, to keep it dry. My big one i did the straw, fleece, sacking and bubble, with fleece bag over the top 🤔 is that a bit overkill George x

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Linda. No, that sounds fine to me. It’s about the layering and whilst plastic isn’t ideal by itself, as an outer layer to more insulating material it can help keep the whole lot drier. I’m sure yours will be just fine and my method this year isn’t the only way, more of a compromise that’s a step up from last year 😊

[@lindahughes1699]

@GeorgesJungleGarden Thank you George 😊 My first year. Inspired by you alone but I do watch loads of others too now. I'm 77 so as long as I've got the energy it will grow bigger. Have had a lot of plants in pot for a couple of years so they were just itching to get going. I'm so excited about it 🤗 😘

[@Tminus89]

Haha Michelle from yt channel Oh the places you'll grow does most of her videos and plant chores at night.. so like her, this one is not do as I do, do as I say 😆

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes indeed, do as I do (ish!), not as I say should be a pretty standard bit of guidance for my channel 😂 No spare daylight time this weekend so needs must and I thought a quick vid might help others 😊

[@Tminus89]

​@@GeorgesJungleGarden The things you do for your audience (and your plants).... We don't deserve you😂

[@Thumtwiddler]

Hi George, thanks for that, I was just wondering, I have all my plants in pots as I'm renting. I have a fairly large basjoo, and am thinking of just bringing it in for Winter and basically leaving it in the porch area of our building which has one window but is fairly dark. Would that be ok?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and no problem, thanks for watching! Yes, your basjoo should be just fine there, particularly as it’s a decent size. Just slow down with the watering while it’s more dormant.

[@Thumtwiddler]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Thanks a lot for replying and keep up the good work, you're building a new nation of tropical warriors!

[@pennz2354]

How about if you have one in large pot should I wrap the base of pot to protect its roots?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I would prioritise moving the pot to somewhere sheltered (a greenhouse/ polytunnel would be ideal, followed by a garage and then close to your house). If it’s staying outside then some wrapping of the side of the pot (then maybe finishing with a neat hessian wrap?) or surrounding it with other plants might help prevent the roots freezing through, yes 😊

[@pennz2354]

@ I have put it in a small walk in plastic greenhouse 🙂🤞🏻

[@njw1383]

When you wrap your bananas, is it important to cover the top? I've wrapped mine but have left the top leaf slightly showing to let any condensation evaporate. Is that ok or should I cover it now?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, personally I cover them as otherwise rain can get in anyway and it’ll get more water in. Some people use tarpaulins or plastic as an outer layer for the top to keep rain out but I find these fleece bags dry out pretty quickly.

[@njw1383]

@GeorgesJungleGarden thank you. I'll take your advice and do the same.

[@MrBaconwhopper]

The straw is so messy that I want to try something else this year but wrapping it loosely in a lot of fleece and then put an umbrella cover over it. I hope that works. It should trap a lot of air.

[@stevenruddy2527]

No plastic sheets then to keep out the wet.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Steven, you certainly can use something over the top but I’ve found the thicker fleece bags keep some water out in combination with the pot on top (when positioned well!). I used them alone for my Musa ‘Tibet’ last winter and it came through well with no rot. Plastic covering the top isn’t a bad idea though 😊

[@philippehoyez9398]

Great example of where negligence and laziness lead : video from Yorkshire Kris Exotic Gardening : kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnmoqH6tjNd0gMU

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Just had a quick skim through, I don’t think it’s entirely negligence and laziness as such - I get where you’re coming from but ultimately a lot of us want to get to a point where some of the unusual palms etc. with hopeful hardiness claims can have a real chance in the ground. Yes, you could protect everything optimally/ bring it in but part of the attraction of exotic gardening js pushing the limits of what we can grow outside with minimal protection and we really have had some challenging weather back in 2022 for example. There’s always going to be losses but it’s great to see his stunning large Jubaea and so many of the other hardier palms thriving without any effort. Sometimes a little bit of luck and a few mild winters in a row is required for the more unusual stuff to settle in but no doubt we’ll all keep trying 😊

[@39chevy44]

I managed to do protect my tender plants yesterday after looking at the forecast for the next week, I have used large drainage pipes for the last few years stuffed with straw and they seem to come out the other side ok. Fingers crossed it’s a mild winter.

[@39chevy44]

I managed to do protect my tender plants yesterday after looking at the forecast for the next week, I have used large drainage pipes for the last few years stuffed with straw and they seem to come out the other side ok. Fingers crossed it’s a mild winter.