You list your zone as 7. Where do you live? There is no banana that will grow, flower and make edible fruit in Zone 7 in the ground without considerable protection. Musa Basjoo will make it in your zone but the fruit is considered inedible. It is an attractive banana and one tough cookie. To grow and fruit an edible banana in your zone will require it to be grown in a container or protected.

Steve

I am in Nashville TN. The guy that sold it to me said that it made bananas but he didnt specify if he ate them or not. Here is a pic of my plant. http://www.flickr.com/photos/7777815@N05/3598177204/ If it isnt edible bananas, I am going to be mad. I assumed all bananas were edible.

If I were to put it in a container, how do I keep it from getting so tall? Can I simply cut the middle of the plant (top it) and it sprout from where I cut it?

Here is a link that might be useful: banana plant pic

Well, technically, all bananas can be eaten. Some are just better tasting than others. Basjoo is considered an ornamental type banana. Bear in mind that I do not grow Basjoo but your picture certainly looks like it could be one. Ask the guy you bought it from what color the flower is when it blooms. If he says yellow, then it's Basjoo. If he says purple, then it might be an Orinoco which could possibly produce fruit (edible)in your zone if you have a mild winter and is planted in a very protected location.

Topping to reduce the height will work but you have to be careful. If you do this during the winter to make it fit into a certain space, then cut back on the watering to almost nothing. I have a friend that lives in Cleveland, TN who grows a lot of bananas, digs them up each year, and puts them under his house, in his garage, whereever. He seems to have a fair amount of success with this method.

Steve

OK I will do. I am sure he knows what kind it is but I keep forgetting to ask what kind. If I keep it in the basement, that is colder than the upper house. I just thought it would be better in a warmer climate. I will probably cut it in half (??) when I bring it in...so what October? When it gets below 60 degrees high. I dont know just throwing out suggestions.