The large dead stalk in the center is Ice Cream. Although established it did not come up until July last year and managed to get about 10 feet before the first freeze. It is cut off now around 6 feet high. I was not sure if it was still alive. I have several in ground bananas and now beginning to believe the trick is ground preparation. Dig a shallow hole and fill it full of good mulch,water and fertilize.In the background are my Basjoos.They hardly missed a beat this winter and kept growing.
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Bamatufa, thanks for the reply. That helps a lot. I was thinking about growing it in a pot the first year then into the ground next year. I have grown pineapple in the ground, using lights and cover during the winter but these banana plants are so huge, I will have to rethink how to get a banana to fruit.

Your zone and location I would put in ground. You will get pups from it by year end you can pot and keep over winter.

That sounds good to me. I will attempt to save what is in the ground but as you said the pups should get me going faster next year.

Thanks for the help.

Your zone and location I would put in ground. You will get pups from it by year end you can pot and keep over winter.