The Musa basjoo banana species, also known as the hardy banana or Japanese fiber banana, is becoming increasingly common in German gardens. However, its German name is a bit misleading, as this banana plant definitely needs extra care and good winter protection to successfully survive outdoors. In this article you will learn what measures you need to take so that your banana plant can overwinter without suffering any damage!
How to overwinter a banana plant – step by step instructions
There are about 70 species and even more varieties of banana plants, but very few of them are grown in Germany, including:
- Musa acuminate: This species reaches a height of around 3 to 6 m and is often grown for its lobed leaves, which can reach 15 to 25 cm in length.
- Musa basjoo: This species is relatively hardy and reaches a height of around 3 to 5 m.
As already mentioned, Musa basjоо is most often bred in Germany. It is a perennial banana plant that originally comes from the Japanese island of Ryukyu, where the climate is mild and maritime, but temperatures drop well below freezing in winter. In Europe, Musa basjоо feels most comfortable when planted in the garden in humus-rich soil in a sunny to semi-shaded location that is protected from wind. Like most perennials, the hardy banana dies above ground in autumn and grows back from the ground the following spring. However, here are the measures you should take to help the banana plant overwinter.
Step 1: Remove leaves
Immediately after the first light frosts, you need to cut off all the leaves of the banana just above the stem. You will notice that some of the leaves are blackened by these light frosts, which usually puts the plant into dormancy.
It is important that you use sharp pruning shears and make a slanting cut away from the center of the stem. This angled cut prevents moisture from entering the plant's stem and causing it to rot.
Step 2: Wrap the banana plant with garden fleece
Wrap the entire plant with garden fleece, making sure there are no gaps. Use garden twine to securely attach the fleece. Pull the string tight enough to keep the fleece in place, but not so tight that it damages the banana trunk.
Step 3: Cover the fleece with jute
For even better protection, you can wrap an additional layer of jute around the fleece and tie it tightly. It can be difficult to do this alone. So, an extra pair of hands might be needed.
Notice: Overwintering the banana plant - If it is in a protected place, fleece and jute may be sufficient. However, if your banana plant needs extra care, here's what you should do!
Step 4: Build a wire frame around the perennial
If you really want to ensure the survival of the plant, another way to protect it would be to stretch a wire frame (mesh) around the banana trunk and secure it with two stakes driven in on either side of the plant (take care when doing this , not to disturb the roots).
It's important that you wear thick gardening gloves for this part of the job, as you can easily scratch or even cut your hands with the pieces of metal and wire. Ideally, you should leave a distance of about 15 cm between the circumference of the wire and the tree trunk.
Step 5: Fill the wire cage with straw
Fill the wire cage with straw or dry bracken. Pack the straw quite tightly, making sure to completely encompass the trunks without damaging them. Continue filling the cage until all of the logs are well covered. This is to prevent rain, snow and ice from getting into the center of the plant.
Step 6: Cover with plastic wrap
The final step is to attach a plastic sheet over the banana plant. Secure the plastic wrap to prevent it from blowing away in the wind. You can fix them with cable ties. This waterproof film guarantees that no rainwater penetrates the structure.
Frequently asked questions about banana plants
- When should you unpack the banana plants?? Remove the cover in April or May, or after the last frost.
- Is banana plant poisonous to cats? No, banana plants are not poisonous to animals.
Also read:Caring for banana plants and what you should pay attention to!
