Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 108 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Posted: Sat 19 Oct, 2013 11:30 pm
Hey darkman. Ideally I would like to keep them in the low 50's F but for now it will be the coolest room possible until I can set up something in the barn to keep it cooler but not get to freezing. I Dont give them any lighting. I'm trying to keep them dormant. The few I have in the greenhouse will slow down but still grow a little.
Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 966 Location: Pensacola Florida South of I-10 Zone 8b/9a
Posted: Sun 20 Oct, 2013 5:01 pm
So they can go as low as 35 without having serious issues and will start growing after the temps warm up. Part of the induced dormancy is the defoliation?
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Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Posts: 108 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma
Posted: Sun 20 Oct, 2013 6:24 pm
I would not let mine get that low.32 would cause damage for sure but 35 might cause some black tip. I try and stay above 40. Lower or no light levels and cooler temps trigger the dormancy. Removing the leaves lowers the stress and keeps the storage area cleaner since they will fall off anyways. Some people who grow them in the ground will dig up, completely bare root and strip all the leaves then store in a cool dark area. Come spring they will plant back in the landscape and they take off like they never got moved. Very similar to how I and some other store bananas.