Banana Growing in a temperate climate

[ato2]

[WaikanaeNZ]

Hi Ato2. Great to see some other banana enthusiast in the North Island. I look forward to seeing how yours are doing.

Just for interests sake, I grow also Strelitzia's, Ravenala (Travelers Palm, still small) and some Heliconia (yet to flower). Trying to give my garden a bit of a tropical look.

[WaikanaeNZ]

Well just an update to an old post for those that are interested and still following this thread.

My ladyfinger bananas have been out for a while now (2 winters) and growing very well. No bananas yet.

I also have ABYSSINIAN BANANA, (Ensete Ventricosum) grown from seeds. These do exceptionally well here in the lower north island. They grow extremely fast and are great for that quick tropical look.

Our last winter was not bitterly cold, think there was just one or two days that reached 0. A few light frost days though. All bananas were unaffected.

I have purchased some musa basjoo seeds from Canada, these arrived early Jan. My first one came up yesterday. These are suppose to be one of the most cold tolerant bananas in the world and they can be grown all over the US, and even Canada. Therefore they should not be a problem for most of NZ. I will post an update in a few months to let you know how they are coming along.

[ato2]

Hiya...I am sorry, I somehow missed replying earlier on...will do some posts as soon as I have a few  spare  moments
Cheers
ato2

[ato2]

Would love to see some photos when you can post them. Will do the same, shortly.
Yes, you are right about the basjoo- very hardy characters, indeed. I think in Japan  they cover them in Winter with rice straw houses and they beat the snow.
I am very interested in how the Heliconia are doing.

[beteljuice]

basjoo- very hardy characters

The winter / spring before this, there were a few concentrated cold snaps = kaput.

Although it wasn't obvious until a few weeks later when they should have been coming out of 'hibernation'.

Over the previous few years I had enough pups to pass on to other interested parties. Every single one died 

In late spring / summer I'd have a couple outside the front door - the taxi drivers always asked 'How are your bananas ?" - strange the things that make us memorable