Protect banana tree from frost

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.

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.

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

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.

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
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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.

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.

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.