Question
I have seen these hardy banana trees in a catalog, they apparently can survive temps. down to -20F.(zones 5-10) I live in Salt Lake City, Ut. (zone 6) from what I have read they should be able to survive the winters here, but I need to know if our heavily alkaline and clay soils are ok for these plants. I also need to know when the best time to plant them is.
Thanks

Answer
Matt, I grow bananas here in zone 9 and have never addressed growing them in a 6 zone, but I researched it (Japanese fibre banana)and indeed they tout the ability to grow it in a 6 zone, provided you afford it protection during the winter. There are several ways of doing this, and there is a wonderful site I searched under "Musa Basjoo", I recommend you go there and see the various ways of protecting the corm against freezing. I could tell you, but this site shows it very nicely. When it is growing and starting to show new plants from the corm, contact me again and I will walk you through all the ins and outs of growing this wonderful plant! Don't be concerned at all about the PH of your soil or its makeup, bananas are very adaptable. Nick