You seem worried about the plants surviving. Are you sure you want to overwinter them outdoors? Why not dig them, bring them inside in pots and plug in a two light halogen shop lamp. I would guess you shouldn't have to fear the roots freeezing (outdoors) unless you have a freak cold spell. But, if you are going to leave them outside, I suggest you mulch the roots well and be prepared to lose the pseudostems to cold weather. If the pseudostems survive, you are in excellent shape to begin the next growing season.

Hi Terry of tsmith2579,
Yes, I am going to overwinter them outdoors without digging
and bringing them indoors as it is considered possible to
do so in a place like Zone9.
Musa Sikkimensis overwintered every year without any winter
protections at all. So I thought it could be possible for
Rajapuri and Helen's Hybrid too.
Wat do you think?
Stan

Stan, I would think you would be fine, with Rajapuri, I overwinter it hear in 7b, but I put a cage around it and fill it with leaves to save the pseudostem. If you have more than one stem, try wrapping it with something like burlap and see if it makes a differents. I'm wanting to try Helen's Hybrid, where did you get it?

Steve

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your follow-up on overwintering of Rajapuri.
Regarding Helen's hybrid, I got a sucker from my friend.
But you can get from anywhere either suckers or seeds
via internet. Try it!
Stan

I am in 9a and have wrapped the 'trunk' with burlap or a frost blanket. So far so good past three winters. The small ones I cover with cardboard box. It may not be needed but I like to play it safe. BTW I have rajapuri

Hello neilaz,
The lowest temperature is getting around 40F in these days,
and I had to wrap the trunk of Rajapuri, Williams hybrid
and Helen's hybrid with strawmats and I made up my mind
to see what will happen to these plants during the coldest
season of Jan/Feb. What is considered to be necessary has
been done. Let's wait till spring comes and see if they
still survive.
Stan

You really do not have to cover these type of bananas, unless your temps get close to freezing.I live in zone9b,and the only time i ever cover my bananasis when the weather man says it going to be in the 30's for overnight lows.I use tarps to wrap around the pseudostem.I also remove the tarps every morning.Its a lot of workbut its worth it.If you want fruit next year, you will have to protect the pseudostem.You should be ok unless you get temps. below 30 for long periods.I would mulch heavily also. good luck.

Hi Steelviper,
Thanks for your experience of overwintering of those bananas.
As I really want fruit nexst year, I think I better protect
the pseudostem for safe reason.
It gets below 30F only a few times and last no longer.
Stan

Ice Cream is another good cold hardy banana.One of the best tasting bananas in my opinion.

What variety are compatible with the method of bring indoor in house?

Helen's Hybrid, grown from seed

2 out of 10 of the seeds germinated after only 11 days. The ones that did germinate are growing very fast.