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