Moving tropical plants indoor preparation as winter time on the way.

[jimmy_sayavong@yahoo.com]

I have several tropical plants and trees (including two banana's) which
I would like to preserve their current beaty as much as possible as the
winter approaching. I live in Dallas, TX area (Zone 8), I plan to move
the plants into my gargage before the winter arrives. This is my first
year for doing this short of things, and therefore I need lots of
advise from the experts on this forum.

Here are my questions:

1. What are pre-moving requirements?
2. When is the right time to do the actual move?
3. Do I need any sorts of lighting to similar sun light for the garage?
if yes, can I simply use the existing garage lights?
4. If I bring them to inside the home (instead of garage), do they
require different treatment?
5. Do I expect to see lots of leaves falling during the winter?
6. What is the minimum temperature for a typical tropical plant to
reasonably maintain their "growing" season appearance?
7. Any other suggestions/advise are welcomed !!!


Thanks in advance


JIMMY

[JoeSpareBedroom]

> wrote in message
ups.com...
>I have several tropical plants and trees (including two banana's) which
> I would like to preserve their current beaty as much as possible as the
> winter approaching. I live in Dallas, TX area (Zone 8), I plan to move
> the plants into my gargage before the winter arrives. This is my first
> year for doing this short of things, and therefore I need lots of
> advise from the experts on this forum.
>
> Here are my questions:
>
> 1. What are pre-moving requirements?
> 2. When is the right time to do the actual move?
> 3. Do I need any sorts of lighting to similar sun light for the garage?
> if yes, can I simply use the existing garage lights?
> 4. If I bring them to inside the home (instead of garage), do they
> require different treatment?
> 5. Do I expect to see lots of leaves falling during the winter?
> 6. What is the minimum temperature for a typical tropical plant to
> reasonably maintain their "growing" season appearance?
> 7. Any other suggestions/advise are welcomed !!!
> Thanks in advance
> JIMMY

In order to maintain their "growing season appearance", you either need
perfectly located sunny windows (and even that doesn't duplicate outdoor
lighting 100%), or you must be quite wealthy to be able to afford sodium
lights that will crank up your electric bill like you wouldn't believe. It
has a large enough effect that the electric company in some places will
notify the police because it sometimes means there's marijuana being grown
indoors.

When temps hit the mid 40s, bring the plants indoors. Before doing so,
inspect very carefully for insects, although there's little you can do about
anything living in the soil. Indoors, they will need MUCH less water, so
slow down the watering ahead of time. Expect leaf drop from some plants as
they adjust to the lower light levels. If you're short on space indoors, you
might get away with leaving them in the garage, if you can monitor the
temperature.

[jimmy_sayavong@yahoo.com]

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> > wrote in message
> ups.com...
> >I have several tropical plants and trees (including two banana's) which
> > I would like to preserve their current beaty as much as possible as the
> > winter approaching. I live in Dallas, TX area (Zone 8), I plan to move
> > the plants into my gargage before the winter arrives. This is my first
> > year for doing this short of things, and therefore I need lots of
> > advise from the experts on this forum.
> >
> > Here are my questions:
> >
> > 1. What are pre-moving requirements?
> > 2. When is the right time to do the actual move?
> > 3. Do I need any sorts of lighting to similar sun light for the garage?
> > if yes, can I simply use the existing garage lights?
> > 4. If I bring them to inside the home (instead of garage), do they
> > require different treatment?
> > 5. Do I expect to see lots of leaves falling during the winter?
> > 6. What is the minimum temperature for a typical tropical plant to
> > reasonably maintain their "growing" season appearance?
> > 7. Any other suggestions/advise are welcomed !!!
> > Thanks in advance
> > JIMMY
>
> In order to maintain their "growing season appearance", you either need
> perfectly located sunny windows (and even that doesn't duplicate outdoor
> lighting 100%), or you must be quite wealthy to be able to afford sodium
> lights that will crank up your electric bill like you wouldn't believe. It
> has a large enough effect that the electric company in some places will
> notify the police because it sometimes means there's marijuana being grown
> indoors.
>
> When temps hit the mid 40s, bring the plants indoors. Before doing so,
> inspect very carefully for insects, although there's little you can do about
> anything living in the soil. Indoors, they will need MUCH less water, so
> slow down the watering ahead of time. Expect leaf drop from some plants as
> they adjust to the lower light levels. If you're short on space indoors, you
> might get away with leaving them in the garage, if you can monitor the
> temperature.

Thanks for the information. It sounds like I 'd be
better off by leaving the plants inside the house. However,
you didn't mention anything about the banana trees.
Am I expected to see just leaf turning brown, or it is going to be
completely flatten to ground as it would be if leaving them outside
during the winter?

Thanks,

[JoeSpareBedroom]

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>> > wrote in message
>> ups.com...
>> >I have several tropical plants and trees (including two banana's) which
>> > I would like to preserve their current beaty as much as possible as the
>> > winter approaching. I live in Dallas, TX area (Zone 8), I plan to move
>> > the plants into my gargage before the winter arrives. This is my first
>> > year for doing this short of things, and therefore I need lots of
>> > advise from the experts on this forum.
>> >
>> > Here are my questions:
>> >
>> > 1. What are pre-moving requirements?
>> > 2. When is the right time to do the actual move?
>> > 3. Do I need any sorts of lighting to similar sun light for the garage?
>> > if yes, can I simply use the existing garage lights?
>> > 4. If I bring them to inside the home (instead of garage), do they
>> > require different treatment?
>> > 5. Do I expect to see lots of leaves falling during the winter?
>> > 6. What is the minimum temperature for a typical tropical plant to
>> > reasonably maintain their "growing" season appearance?
>> > 7. Any other suggestions/advise are welcomed !!!
>> > Thanks in advance
>> > JIMMY
>>
>> In order to maintain their "growing season appearance", you either need
>> perfectly located sunny windows (and even that doesn't duplicate outdoor
>> lighting 100%), or you must be quite wealthy to be able to afford sodium
>> lights that will crank up your electric bill like you wouldn't believe.
>> It
>> has a large enough effect that the electric company in some places will
>> notify the police because it sometimes means there's marijuana being
>> grown
>> indoors.
>>
>> When temps hit the mid 40s, bring the plants indoors. Before doing so,
>> inspect very carefully for insects, although there's little you can do
>> about
>> anything living in the soil. Indoors, they will need MUCH less water, so
>> slow down the watering ahead of time. Expect leaf drop from some plants
>> as
>> they adjust to the lower light levels. If you're short on space indoors,
>> you
>> might get away with leaving them in the garage, if you can monitor the
>> temperature.
>
> Thanks for the information. It sounds like I 'd be
> better off by leaving the plants inside the house. However,
> you didn't mention anything about the banana trees.
> Am I expected to see just leaf turning brown, or it is going to be
> completely flatten to ground as it would be if leaving them outside
> during the winter?
>
> Thanks,
>

I didn't mention banana trees because it was so simple to google the
information, I didn't want to spoil your fun.

[Compostman]

"JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote in message
...
> > wrote in message
> ups.com...
>> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>>> > wrote in message
>>> ups.com...
>>> >I have several tropical plants and trees (including two banana's) which
>>> > I would like to preserve their current beaty as much as possible as
>>> > the
>>> > winter approaching. I live in Dallas, TX area (Zone 8), I plan to move
>>> > the plants into my gargage before the winter arrives. This is my first
>>> > year for doing this short of things, and therefore I need lots of
>>> > advise from the experts on this forum.
>>> >
>>> > Here are my questions:
>>> >
>>> > 1. What are pre-moving requirements?
>>> > 2. When is the right time to do the actual move?
>>> > 3. Do I need any sorts of lighting to similar sun light for the
>>> > garage?
>>> > if yes, can I simply use the existing garage lights?
>>> > 4. If I bring them to inside the home (instead of garage), do they
>>> > require different treatment?
>>> > 5. Do I expect to see lots of leaves falling during the winter?
>>> > 6. What is the minimum temperature for a typical tropical plant to
>>> > reasonably maintain their "growing" season appearance?
>>> > 7. Any other suggestions/advise are welcomed !!!
>>> > Thanks in advance
>>> > JIMMY
>>>
>>> In order to maintain their "growing season appearance", you either need
>>> perfectly located sunny windows (and even that doesn't duplicate outdoor
>>> lighting 100%), or you must be quite wealthy to be able to afford sodium
>>> lights that will crank up your electric bill like you wouldn't believe.
>>> It
>>> has a large enough effect that the electric company in some places will
>>> notify the police because it sometimes means there's marijuana being
>>> grown
>>> indoors.
>>>
>>> When temps hit the mid 40s, bring the plants indoors. Before doing so,
>>> inspect very carefully for insects, although there's little you can do
>>> about
>>> anything living in the soil. Indoors, they will need MUCH less water, so
>>> slow down the watering ahead of time. Expect leaf drop from some plants
>>> as
>>> they adjust to the lower light levels. If you're short on space indoors,
>>> you
>>> might get away with leaving them in the garage, if you can monitor the
>>> temperature.
>>
>> Thanks for the information. It sounds like I 'd be
>> better off by leaving the plants inside the house. However,
>> you didn't mention anything about the banana trees.
>> Am I expected to see just leaf turning brown, or it is going to be
>> completely flatten to ground as it would be if leaving them outside
>> during the winter?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>
> I didn't mention banana trees because it was so simple to google the
> information, I didn't want to spoil your fun.

You didn't say what type of banana it is. If it is Musa basjoo (hardy
banana), you should be able to mulch it (use the banana leaves) and it will
come back next year. At least that's what happens in zone 7, unless there's
much colder than normal weather (probably somethings less than zero F.)
_________________
John Henry Wheeler
Washington, DC
USDA Zone 7

[jimmy_sayavong@yahoo.com]

Compostman wrote:
> "JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote in message
> ...
> > > wrote in message
> > ups.com...
> >> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> >>> > wrote in message
> >>> ups.com...
> >>> >I have several tropical plants and trees (including two banana's) which
> >>> > I would like to preserve their current beaty as much as possible as
> >>> > the
> >>> > winter approaching. I live in Dallas, TX area (Zone 8), I plan to move
> >>> > the plants into my gargage before the winter arrives. This is my first
> >>> > year for doing this short of things, and therefore I need lots of
> >>> > advise from the experts on this forum.
> >>> >
> >>> > Here are my questions:
> >>> >
> >>> > 1. What are pre-moving requirements?
> >>> > 2. When is the right time to do the actual move?
> >>> > 3. Do I need any sorts of lighting to similar sun light for the
> >>> > garage?
> >>> > if yes, can I simply use the existing garage lights?
> >>> > 4. If I bring them to inside the home (instead of garage), do they
> >>> > require different treatment?
> >>> > 5. Do I expect to see lots of leaves falling during the winter?
> >>> > 6. What is the minimum temperature for a typical tropical plant to
> >>> > reasonably maintain their "growing" season appearance?
> >>> > 7. Any other suggestions/advise are welcomed !!!
> >>> > Thanks in advance
> >>> > JIMMY
> >>>
> >>> In order to maintain their "growing season appearance", you either need
> >>> perfectly located sunny windows (and even that doesn't duplicate outdoor
> >>> lighting 100%), or you must be quite wealthy to be able to afford sodium
> >>> lights that will crank up your electric bill like you wouldn't believe.
> >>> It
> >>> has a large enough effect that the electric company in some places will
> >>> notify the police because it sometimes means there's marijuana being
> >>> grown
> >>> indoors.
> >>>
> >>> When temps hit the mid 40s, bring the plants indoors. Before doing so,
> >>> inspect very carefully for insects, although there's little you can do
> >>> about
> >>> anything living in the soil. Indoors, they will need MUCH less water, so
> >>> slow down the watering ahead of time. Expect leaf drop from some plants
> >>> as
> >>> they adjust to the lower light levels. If you're short on space indoors,
> >>> you
> >>> might get away with leaving them in the garage, if you can monitor the
> >>> temperature.
> >>
> >> Thanks for the information. It sounds like I 'd be
> >> better off by leaving the plants inside the house. However,
> >> you didn't mention anything about the banana trees.
> >> Am I expected to see just leaf turning brown, or it is going to be
> >> completely flatten to ground as it would be if leaving them outside
> >> during the winter?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >
> > I didn't mention banana trees because it was so simple to google the
> > information, I didn't want to spoil your fun.
>
> You didn't say what type of banana it is. If it is Musa basjoo (hardy
> banana), you should be able to mulch it (use the banana leaves) and it will
> come back next year. At least that's what happens in zone 7, unless there's
> much colder than normal weather (probably somethings less than zero F.)
> _________________
> John Henry Wheeler
> Washington, DC
> USDA Zone 7

My original post was that If I bring the banana tree inside the house
during
the winter, would the leaf and such still appear to be somewhat close
to its
"current beaty" as it is outside during grawing season?

JIMMY

[JoeSpareBedroom]

> wrote in message
ups.com...


> My original post was that If I bring the banana tree inside the house
> during
> the winter, would the leaf and such still appear to be somewhat close
> to its
> "current beaty" as it is outside during grawing season?
>
> JIMMY
>

I'm not trying to be difficult, but what if one person said the tree will
look just a little ragged, and someone else said it would look like death
warmed over? What would you do differently based on those totally different
answers?

[jimmy_sayavong@yahoo.com]

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> > wrote in message
> ups.com...
>
>
> > My original post was that If I bring the banana tree inside the house
> > during
> > the winter, would the leaf and such still appear to be somewhat close
> > to its
> > "current beaty" as it is outside during grawing season?
> >
> > JIMMY
> >
>
> I'm not trying to be difficult, but what if one person said the tree will
> look just a little ragged, and someone else said it would look like death
> warmed over? What would you do differently based on those totally different
> answers?

I am afraid you are trying to make thing difficult for a newbie like
me to understand your point. The question is plain simple --- does
the banana tree looks the same when moved inside the house duing
the winter? I can't see that being as simple as YES or NO answer !!

[JoeSpareBedroom]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>> > wrote in message
>> ups.com...
>>
>>
>> > My original post was that If I bring the banana tree inside the house
>> > during
>> > the winter, would the leaf and such still appear to be somewhat close
>> > to its
>> > "current beaty" as it is outside during grawing season?
>> >
>> > JIMMY
>> >
>>
>> I'm not trying to be difficult, but what if one person said the tree will
>> look just a little ragged, and someone else said it would look like death
>> warmed over? What would you do differently based on those totally
>> different
>> answers?
>
> I am afraid you are trying to make thing difficult for a newbie like
> me to understand your point. The question is plain simple --- does
> the banana tree looks the same when moved inside the house duing
> the winter? I can't see that being as simple as YES or NO answer !!
>

I gave you the answer early in the discussion. The answer is NO, unless you
can come close to duplicating the light level of the outdoor environment.
Even in open shade, that's usually much brighter than typical indoor
lighting. If you want to maintain the plant in near-identical condition,
you'll need to surround it with 6 to 12 vertically mounted fluorescent tubes
of the correct type, or high energy sodium lamps. If you have a south-facing
sunroom, you might get away with no additional lighting, but expect the
plant to NOT maintain its exact appearance.

If you're not prepared to do these things, then over the years, you'll
gradually figure out which plants are not practical to own because you can't
provide the right light, humidity, space, etc.

[Compostman]

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>> > wrote in message
>> ups.com...
>>
>>
>> > My original post was that If I bring the banana tree inside the house
>> > during
>> > the winter, would the leaf and such still appear to be somewhat close
>> > to its
>> > "current beaty" as it is outside during grawing season?
>> >
>> > JIMMY
>> >
>>
>> I'm not trying to be difficult, but what if one person said the tree will
>> look just a little ragged, and someone else said it would look like death
>> warmed over? What would you do differently based on those totally
>> different
>> answers?
>
> I am afraid you are trying to make thing difficult for a newbie like
> me to understand your point. The question is plain simple --- does
> the banana tree looks the same when moved inside the house duing
> the winter? I can't see that being as simple as YES or NO answer !!
No

[clc]

The question is plain simple --- does
> the banana tree looks the same when moved inside the house duing
> the winter? I can't see that being as simple as YES or NO answer !!
>

NO