I have read a bunch of postings on overwintering the Musa Basjoo, and came across one that said these plants are not for pots. Well,I have mine in a large plastic planter, and it's about 5ft. tall, with 2 pups. I want to keep it in it's pot for the deck, and it's too big and heavy to try to put into the house. Can I overwinter it in it's pot on the deck? I also have a beautiful red banana in the same pot, and want to do the same thing. I've heard the Musa is hardy to zone 5, but I know my red one isn't. I need some advise on what to do!!

OPPALM, that is very interesting what the hotel manager told you: Specifically, that the fire department considered heating the palms in the enclosure as a fire hazard. I realize you probably don't know enough of the details of what their precise objections were, but I think that is a serious statement by the fire department. Because, I suppose the implication is that what a lot of us on this forum are doing to preserve our plants over the winter might be considered a fire hazard by the Des Moines Fire Department's standards. And if those standards are reasonable and applicable, I'd like to know more about this, because while I like growing a palm tree in Minnesota, I don't want to risk my and/or my neighbors property in the process. Perhaps the hotel was considering some kind of heavy duty heaters, and that is what the fire department objected to? (But if that were the case, why not try wrapping them with lights underneath?) dln949

Nice pics! Wow I cant believe the lizards are out already! I guess they probably didnt have to go too dormant this winter. And right now there are plenty of insects to eat since I've seen flies, ants, and other insects crawling around outside. No freezing weather in the 10 day forecast either so the animals and plants will all be waking up soon! Your yard looks great! Thanks for sharing! Only one day left of meteorological winter! -Alex

I got your email and sent you one. Okay, now I can see that you tried a Quercus Virginiana and it died in a bad winter. If I were you, I would try a Quercus Fusiformis. If possible a Quartz mountain Q. Fusiformis. But you may be fine with a Q. Fusiformis (regular Fusi) in Ark, especially if you kept a Virginiana alive for several years. I am shocked that as far south as you are that a Virginiana died on you. I will dare to mention the :Late drop" Live oak from Mossy oak natives. I had one live for me through winter 2012-2013 ( I THINK so) my memory is crap, but, anyhoo, it was a milder winter here that never went below 0F. We got to 12F, and higher. I just gave away 2 of them already that came up from the roots in my zone 6 yard. If you go onto "Mossy oak natives nursery" and look at the "late drop" Live oak. They are available for purchase, but, you have to spend $20-$25 bucks minimum. It is your choice to look them up, just mentioning I got them there and they do NOT say they are any hardier than regular Q. Virginiana, but, I tried seedlings of reg Q. Virginiana from coastal Virginia, where the Q. Virginiana grows fine, and in a not so harsh winter, even after protection, they croaked. Another thing Db, I have a Q. Fusi from Arizona, that has died back to the ground for the last 4-5 years, it has stayed at about 3 feet tall for those 4-5 years, because it keeps coming up from the ground EVERY FRICKIN YEAR. If you want I will dig it up, and send to you in the spring. It is never going to be a tree here in my yard. I have another Q. Fusi from Joe in Mo, (not the Quartz mountain Live oak) if it dies back to the ground again(reg Fusi) I just may ask if he minds if I send it to someone who can give it a chance to be a majestic tree, you know, zone 7 and up person. The Quartz mountain Live oak is the only Live oak in my yard that I want to keep, the others have top died/killed. The Quartz mountain Live oak is my last try at growing a Live oak in Pa zone 6. I do have the "Compton's oaks" hybrids of Quercus VirginianaX Quercus Lyrata. I've mentioned them a bazillion times already. Well, Danny I will send out the 2 Needle palms, if that is what they really are, Dec 28 or 29. Let me know about if you have room for the Q. Fusiformis I got from Arizona 4-5 years ago.