Dormant Banana Trees

[vanburenboys]

How/when do I cut back banana trees for the next season?

Originally Posted by vanburenboys

How/when do I cut back banana trees for the next season?

I cut mine off about three feet heigh before frost did up plant and put in pot and place in basement only water about three times all winter. Then in spring bring back out and plant where I want them. I gotten bananas the second year of growth.

[Goppie]

I have 5 diff banana cultivars. I bring my giant plantains in before temps drop below 55 deg (F) because they're more sensitive to cold. I bring the other 4 types in before temps drop below 50 deg (F). I never chop the tops off, just most of the leaves. I put them in pots just barely big enough to hold them, never water them in winter, keep them near a sunny window, and keep the temp between 55 and 65 deg (F). I have, however, read that light can bring banana plants out of dormancy so I may try keeping them in the dark this winter.

This method has worked, for me, through 2 winters now but I only use it for plants taller than 9 feet. The smaller ones are kept at 70 deg (F) plus and grown as house plants.