Plastic or not??

(@sidpook)

Posts: 1544

Noble Member

Topic starter

hey All...Hope everyone si well. I have a question to ask.

I cut my musas back (second season in the ground...they were huge and healthy this summer) But it has been warm still and i do not know what to do next. last year I cut them way down and just mulched heavily and put plastic over top of them to keep dry. of course some of the surface rotted and had to be dug away but the root systems were intact and did just fine coming back this past spring season like crazy...
My question is this:

I cut them back to hip height and built a cage around the outside. I will place leaves in the cage to insulate them of course, BUT Should I put plastic around the outside and over top of the cage to keep it "dry" although risking heat, humidity and mold inside or should i wrap the outside with burlap or some other material that breathes but could also let rain and ice in?????/ What do you think??

It has been so warm this fall that they are still growing like crazy and i do not want to cover up the stalks just yet

Any advice is appreciated....Thanks
Mike

Mike Trautner

Posted : 20/11/2011 2:05 pm

lucky1

(@lucky1)

Posts: 11322

Illustrious Member

Hi Mike

I think you've answered your own Q.
still too warm in your area to protect them unless you do it in 2 stages

My too-early plastic cover on my first year in-ground Washies almost cooked them (109 F) when the sun shone brightly, yet I wanted to keep the spear dry for several weeks before cold came. Using plastic only on top (like a hat) worked better...sides were later stuffed/enclosed as cold arrived.

Envy your warm November...
Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 20/11/2011 2:53 pm

sidpook

(@sidpook)

Posts: 1544

Noble Member

Topic starter

Hi Mike

I think you've answered your own Q.
still too warm in your area to protect them unless you do it in 2 stages

My too-early plastic cover on my first year in-ground Washies almost cooked them (109 F) when the sun shone brightly, yet I wanted to keep the spear dry for several weeks before cold came. Using plastic only on top (like a hat) worked better...sides were later stuffed/enclosed as cold arrived.

Envy your warm November...
Barb

thanks Barb......WOW 19 degreesF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike Trautner

Posted : 20/11/2011 3:04 pm

lucky1

(@lucky1)

Posts: 11322

Illustrious Member

A 37 degree F difference my place to yours ... :bigsmurf:

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 20/11/2011 3:12 pm

sidpook

(@sidpook)

Posts: 1544

Noble Member

Topic starter

A 37 degree F difference my place to yours ... :bigsmurf:

. It has been really warm this month. We did have that quick cold snap in October when it snowed and then now we've had 60s and 70s during the days and 40s and high 30s at night, even 50s at night. Even our ten day forecast doesn't go below 38 at night. I probably won't have to cover the bananas until december at this rate....

Mike Trautner

Posted : 20/11/2011 3:21 pm