princessjasmine

I must have at least 8-10 different varieties of bananas growing, but my favorite are these huge ones. Probably at least 25-30' tall now. I planted them in July 06 and they have bloomed 9/07, even though we had a hard freeze this past winter (it got down in the 20s, killed some of my palms). These bananas were cut back to the ground in December 06 and started coming back out in March 07 and have multiplied like crazy. The trunk diameter is probably about 12 inches now and were at least that big or bigger last winter when I had to cut them at the ground. Now we have fruit on them and I have no idea what kind they are. I bought them from a local nursery where the lady didn't speak much english, so she wasn't much help in identifying them.

Other details... I planted them in a slightly elevated bed, covered by several inches of mulch and mixed in some sand in the soil where they are planted. I have never fertilized them, but they may have got some fertilizer from the palm or hibiscus near by. We have had an unusual amount of rain this spring and summer.. we normally get 36 inches per year, but we have had more than that just in May and June, then it continued to flood in July and August thus giving us milder weather than usual.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!

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Gabe15

welcome to our group!

looks like you got some massive 'Orinoco', never seen them quite that tall but growing conditions can change a lot of "standard" things.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

princessjasmine

Cool, thanks so much! I love your site, there's so much here. I wish I knew more so that I could contribute.

MediaHound

Even if you don't know much about them, posting pictures of your banana plants is something everybody can appreciate!

Welcome aboard!

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natedogg1026

Good lookin plants!! ook like Orinoco's to me. Media Hound just I.D.'d some for me.

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Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

Dean W.

Welcome to the forum I’m just a newbie here. I do live right down the road from you though. Glad to here you’ve had luck actually growing bananas in Central Texas.

Dean

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princessjasmine

Well like I said.. I probably have 8-10 different kinds of bananas, but these are the only ones that actually have fruit. This one in particular has multiplied like crazy, and the other ones, maybe half have multiplied a little and the other half has not. I originally purchased 3 of these big ones, and I probably have at least two dozen or so now. Check out Whittlesey in RR off of I35.

Dean W.

Thanks for the lead I'll have to swing by there and check them out.

Dean

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karunasagar108

Wow! Those are totally awesome. I love big banana plants. Would you possibly consider giving me one of these amazing plants? It would be a great addition to my newly started collection.

MediaHound

If you guys want a huge banana plant, look into Musa 'Saba'.

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frog7994

I'm getting the Saba tomarrow. I can't wait.

MediaHound

Saba in the wiki:
http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_Saba

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frog7994

those are great pics

karunasagar108

I have a Saba but it is still a baby. MAybe next year I will be looking up at her in amazement, instead of looking down.

frog7994

what is the growth rate of the Saba?

frog7994

I got my plants A Saba,mysore,pisang raja, and lucatan this is adition to a African rino horn and a Orinco

frog7994

I planted 4 of the 5 I got to day

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modenacart

What it must be like to live in an area that is warm enough year round.

frog7994

well where I live you might not see frost for years and every 10 years or so it gets cool enough to have frost on the ground. But the sun is all ways warm.

MediaHound

Pretty fast once they get going a few months after you plant it, and also when Spring comes... Feed it good though so it can sustain the growth. Lots of compost, water, etc.

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.