I have had banana trees in my yard (in Raleigh NC area...Zone 7b) for close to 6 years. Each year, I wrap them in blankets and bubble wrap, and lots of mulch at their base. My purpose for doing this is I read online about it and feeling I would be starting at a much higher height when the Spring rolls around. However, I have noticed several other people in the area that do not seem to take care of theirs in the winter at all and then they have more of a grove of very tall banana trees, while I only have the quasi-tall one stalks and a few smaller. I am not getting anywhere near the height or quantity of what other people are seeing. In addition, I had two flowers pop out in my largest stalks this year (did not realize I could cut the flower out to stop the death of the stalk and heard winterizing to this degree may cause this more). So, I am thinking of a change especially where I should have many more numerous plants and higher height than I have been getting at least for what I see from other people. Has my process been limiting the growth undergrown? I do have other plants in the area as well, but should be enough room.

What are everyone's thoughts? Am I more likely to get taller and more numerous banana shoots/stalks if I do not cover? If I do not cover like I have before, I read that I should cut at a 45 degree angle 1 foot from the ground after first frost and then mulch a foot around it.

If this works better, it will definitely save me a lot of time and bubble wrap.

Any help is appreciated.

Tom

Do you know the variety of your banana? If it is a Musa Basjoo cutting it back and mulching should do fine.

Tom,

Here in SE Missouri, I've in the past cut all the leaves off then cut them off at the highest point possible. Then dig them up and leave the corm with some dirt around it in a place that isn't completely dark but isn't in the direct sun either (like the corner of the garage) that won't freeze. Come spring after the first frost plant them and within 2 weeks they are off and running.

This has worked well for me. I've never had luck just leaving them in the ground and covering them up with mulch and what-not. Maybe try it a couple different ways and see what works best. I don't know how many you have but that's what I did.

My banana's are Orinoco and actually got mine to fruit (although very late and has no change of actually growing to anywhere near harvesting) here in Southeast Missouri witch is zone 6b

Good luck

I'm in TN and have the same sorts of questions. I have a banana tree and the person who gave it to me told me to dig it up and put it in the toolshed over the winter. But I have another friend who has a ton of them and she does NOTHING to them over the winter. Nada. Just leaves them there. And they are HUGE and much nicer than those of the other friend. So I left mine in the ground and I did mulch it. We shall see, I guess.

It would depend on the variety. Musa Basjoo is perfectly hardy and gets huge while fruiting varieties would need protection.

height would depend on variety of banana ....some are taller - others are shorter

exposure also makes a difference

I would skip wrapping the plants ...

after the first freeze the top is lost - it will not grow back

cut the stalks to within few inches of the ground ...leaving a stump - those stumps will not regrow new stalks ...

try to cut the stalks shortly after the first freeze ....the stalks are full of water and very easy to cut...
waiting will result in very difficult to cut stalks .... in some countries, banana cultivation is not just for food but also for fiber production

the easiest tool for cutting banana stalks is a machete

remove cut off tops and stalks from the ground for a "cleaner look" ....rake leaves over the spot ...to about 12" depth ...

next spring as outside temps warm up, the banana roots will send up new stalks ..... plants will benefit from a weekly watering

full sun and a southern exposure seems to work best for flowering ....

Given full sun and moisture - your grove should increase in area in just a few years