Thread: Inside
View Single Post
Old 04-18-2009, 04:28 PM   #3 (permalink)
chong
Senior Member
 
chong's Avatar
 
Location: Seattle, WA
Zone: 8-9
Name: Chong
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,851
BananaBucks : 98,954
Feedback: 6 / 100%
Said "Thanks" 1,310 Times
Was Thanked 1,702 Times in 759 Posts
Said "Welcome to Bananas" 991 Times
Default Re: Inside

The English name for this variety is simply Musa Praying Hands. In the Philippines, although the formal name is "Inabaniko", loosely translated - "shaped into a fan (folding fan in the open position)", the common name in our neighborhood was "Sabang-dikit", or "Saba stuck together". This is because they are in every respect the same as M. Saba, except for the fruits being stuck together. Otherwise, the taste, size, and use were the same. We had both varieties in our backyard, and I do not remember any difference in growing habits between the two. They were both around 20 to 22 feet tall, with massive trunks. During heavy typhoons, the leaves may get shredded, but I don't recall any of them toppling over.

Chris (Rmplmz) from Tampa, FL has both Praying hands and Saba. If I remember correctly, he has some Saba whose trunk base was 28" in diameter and a height of over 24 feet. He might be able to chime in here and tell us how high his Praying Hands can get.

Here's a link to Chris' gallery on Praying hands. This first one shows a leaning Praying Hands supported by bamboo. It looks to be like 18 feet tall and has only around 12-14 inch base (which is probably why it's leaning).
Banana Gallery - Praying Hands...and Bamboo
Also, it looks like the plants are overshadowed a very large tree, contributing to the slenderness of the this plant.
chong is offline   Reply With Quote Send A Private Message To chong
Said thanks: