Protect banana tree from frost (forum)

Eddie starts with ...
Hi i live in Melbourne i have 2 dwarf cavendish banana trees doing quiet well and was wondering how i can protect them from frost and cold winds heard that winter can be harsh on them
Thx Eddie

Time: 18th May 2009 8:43pm

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About the Author Eddie
Melbourne
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John I. says...
Hi Eddie,
Have a look at the Banana thread on this forum for a few ideas. I've done a bit of research as I too am trying to grow bananas in Melbourne for the first time. So this is what I'm going to try...

Firstly I'm putting a bluestone border around my trees to act as a heat sink. When the weather gets colder I'm going to cover the trees at night, probably with a weed cloth (not the plastic weed matt). I was going to use the white frost protection cloth but I found that it tears easily and tangles in the wind. Its impotant not to have the covering touching the plant because the cold will go right through. If you have a look at the thread on this site for fruit fly protection they have some great ideas for creating temporary structures that would make a good cover. Finally I'm going to use some pond lights under the cover to add a little heat on the coldest nights. I've read some forums that say candles in a terricotta pots can be used to add heat.




Time: 18th May 2009 10:09pm

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About the Author JohnI
Melton
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Eddie says...
Thx John some good advice will look at the tread
Thx again


Time: 18th May 2009 10:40pm

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About the Author Eddie
Melbourne
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John I. says...
Jason from Potland. If you're still around would love to hear how you have protected your bananas from frost and wind.

Time: 19th May 2009 7:34am

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John I. says...
Hi Eddie,

The attached link is to an article titled "Frost Protection" that gives good background information on how frost damage occurs and some ideas on how to prevent it.

http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1002.pdf


Time: 21st May 2009 9:27am

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About the Author John I1
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Eddie says...
Hi John started to build a little hothouse for the bananas with a the clear corrigated roof sheets prob go to bunnings later and get shade cloth for the sides just to keep the cold out. Think should be ok will post a photo up hopefully on sat after all done

Time: 21st May 2009 5:34pm

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About the Author Eddie
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John I. says...
Eddie sounds good, I'm looking forward to seeing the pics.

Time: 21st May 2009 8:51pm

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Jantina says...
Hi John I, I remember years ago a nurseryman up in the Dandenongs telling me he kept his glasshouse frostfree with a lighted candle under an upturned terracotta pot. I tried it once when I was in a house without heating during a coldsnap and it produced a surprising amount of heat.

Time: 22nd May 2009 12:17am

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About the Author Jantina
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John I. says...
Hi Jantina,
I thought about using candles, but with a dog in the yard I'd have to be extra careful. I'd prefer something without a flame.

Time: 22nd May 2009 7:14am

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Eddie says...
Hi John downloaded the photos for frost protection atm 5 degrees warmer then outside also may try the candle theory from Jantina but dont like the idea of burning flame outside trying to figure something else out also just a general tip as you can see i have pvc pipes hammered into the ground instead of compost bin most of my food scrapes which i put in a food processor to mash up and put them down the tubes no mice can get to it and fil it up with water as well done it to all my fruit trees a big success
Pictures - Click to enlarge

Picture: 1
Picture: 2
Picture: 3

Time: 22nd May 2009 7:52pm

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About the Author Eddie
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Lisa says...
Hi Eddie very good idea with the pvc pipes i tried like you said and processed my food scraps good idea if you dont have room for a compost and pipes would be good for holding water as well good stuff

Time: 23rd May 2009 3:23pm

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About the Author Kelly3
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John I. says...
Hi Eddie, good job on the frost protection, the banana plants look healthy too. I like the idea of the composting tubes as well. I had the same worry when I built my banana pit so I used my compost bin and buried it up to the lid. I mulch all my garden waste and throw kitchen scales into it, as well as grey water.


Time: 24th May 2009 2:20pm

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amanda says...
Hi Eddie - your idea of using the pipes for scraps is great! I was thinking that this will help me with my alkaine soil + citrus trees. Scraps/compost + zinc and iron sulphate will give the roots an environment free from the surrounding alkaine soil in, in which to access these nutrients. Previously I buried all this next to the plants but they are too big now for digging around without damaging them. I use pine bark but your idea would work even better! thanks for sharing it with us.

Time: 27th May 2009 7:13pm

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About the Author amanda19
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Kelly says...
Hey Eddie like your ideas i bought dwarf cavendish bananas for the first time and nights have been cold and will only get colder i will cover my bananas up as well i see you covered the top with a clear corrigated sheet iam presuming for light? Do you keep it the sides closed all day?
And the pipes i see are a good idea.

Time: 28th May 2009 1:29pm

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About the Author Kelly3
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Eddie says...
Hi Kelly i made the top clear for light to get through and iam keeping the sides closed keeps the heat in

Time: 28th May 2009 10:00pm

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About the Author Eddie
Melbourne
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John I. says...
Hi All,
Given the cold snap last night here in Melbourne I thought I'd post an update on how my banana plants are going. Keep in mind that where I live the temperature is generally 3 to 4 degrees below the Melbourne recorded low.

About a month ago my Red Dacca was showing significant signs of frost damage (burnt leaves). To protect it I built a box frame around it and covered it with frost cloth. This worked well when the recorded Melbourne temperature dropped down to about 5 degrees. On the weekend I noticed that a couple of new leaves had emerged (probably on the days that the temperature go to mid to late teens).

More recently I noticed that my Ducasse was also now showing signs of frost damage. So on the weekend I built a similar box structure to protected it. After last nights cold snap I checked and found that with temperatures in my yard dropping to -1 degree, there was ice on the leaves. I won't know how much damage this has caused until the weekend.

Time: 8th July 2009 8:07pm

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About the Author JohnI
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