The best way of protecting small bananas in the wintertime is to bring them inside. It's really too late to get something started like that now, if it's just a small plant. Bring them in when it gets cold and grow them a little bigger and put them out in the spring. So I'd go ahead and repot those ones you planted when they say it's going to frost.But it's your money.....
Sorry!
Sandy @ Northern Tropics

I agree with Sandy. They need to establish a good root system before going into winter.

Ok guys,

I guess I'll leave those two in the ground for another month of good weather and then dig them up. They are small but how big of a root ball do I need?

J

I also did the same thing as the OP. When I dig up the little basjoo, and plant it into a pot--I would like to put into my cooler dark basement for the winter. How should I treat the banana? Should I cut off all of the leaves, or leave it as is.

Billy

I just bought 2 Dwarf Orinocos. 7' tall in 5 gal pots. Now I'm wondering if I should plant them or over winter them on the pots????

If you're able to put them in pots and move them around, I would do that. After all danger of frost has past next year, then bring them outside, plant them and watch them take off!

J

Generally, I agree about waiting til spring because of frost, although we took the gamble with two small basjoos from Smith and Hawken 2 years ago when they were on clearance in October, and we planted them in the ground. We live in inland Northern California and expect some light frosts on occasion. However, the plant was so tough it had not a scratch on it. It did take a while to really get growing though, even when it warmed up in spring. But now it's taken off like gangbusters and made it through a second winter with not a scratch. PNW is probably frostier though.

You might want to wrap the trunk in burlap in the winter (they do this in the UK).

When you dig up your little bananas and repot them, they probably won't have made much root growth yet, so they won't need too much dug up around them. Whatever size pot they were in when you planted them, dig just a few inches outside that area. You'll end up with a good rootball that you can repot. Put it in a good well draining potting soil like Promix. Water them in well, then let them dry out before you water them again. Keep them on the dry side all winter, then put them out in the spring.
I have a little guide on e-bay called "how to grow bananas in cold areas successfully" if you want to look it up, here's a link.
By the way, I'm not advertising, this is for information only!

Here is a link that might be useful: how to grow bananas in cold areas successfully