PaulOdin

On the way home from work I stopped to look at a banana patch that seems to be abandoned. Stands like this are common enough in Central Florida that they are referred to as 'ditch bananas', and about 3 owners ago my Orinocos came from a similar patch about 10 miles from there. Part of the patch was recently plowed under, but one of the remaining plants has fat, 6" bananas w/ a rather small red blossom a couple of feet below the bunch, and pseudostems about 20 feet tall. The leaves are wider than my (presumed) Orinocos, but have a similar red cast to the back of the rib. It looks like this area is being cleared for construction, and I'm thinking about getting a couple pups before the rest are plowed under. Of course, it would be nice to find out if someone claims them first- it is way too easy to picture being chased by Granny Clampette and her shotgun! Anyway, can someone make an ID w/out pictures? Perhaps Brazilians?

momoese

Not that I'm any help but we have those wild stands growing all over the place here in So Cal as well. I see them fruiting right next to the freeway off ramp near my house. I have often thought of grabbing some fruit but am worried about exhaust and other types of contamination.

PaulOdin

Who knows? A little extra carbon might spice them up?
I am pretty new to this hobby, but since I started paying attention there seem to be bananas all around here. Most are Orinocos, but I recognize DC, zebrina and probably basjoo. I've stopped to look at 30 or 40 patches, but almost never found anyone to talk or trade with. This bunch may just be Orinocos that are unusually tall, but I've never been positive about the ID of my own plants. Maybe I need to start taking pictures.

Frankallen

The ribs on the back of my Banana leaves also have a reddish cast....Does that mean that they are more likely "Orinocos"???! I am still trying to figure out what they are. My friend I got them from got them from his Brother, who has had them 30 years,so he does not know what they are?? One of them fruited last year but he didn't even taste the fruit....duh?? Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks,

Frank

momoese

If you have pictures of the flowers that would be very helpful.

Frankallen

No flowering yet,hopefully this Summer........Thanks !

Frank

PaulOdin

Frank, my guess is Orinocos. They are tough enough for 30 years in zone 8, but would die back each winter. My guess is that you are somewhere around Birmingham, and I intend to take Orinocos to my daughter there, as soon as she has a house. If she takes long enough, I'll bring her Rajapuri as well, but I don't have pups yet, and everything else here would be more cold sensitive.
Orinocos are what got me excited about bananas in the first place. They taste better than store bought, and I finally found a plant I couldn't kill!

Frankallen

I am really about 90 miles North of Birmingham near Huntsville (North Alabama)...We are on the Border of 7b Zone. The people that had these Bananas for 30 years, has been digging them up each year and sharing and storing them during the Winter, in an unheated Garage. This year, I have enough of them, I will let a few stay outside Mulched and see what they do. I think you might be right about them being "Orinocos"...I will take more Photos when they leaf out later and hopefully my bigger one will flower this year. Does your Orinocos" have any distinguishing traits that is a tell tell sign, either in the leaves or the Stalk? Mine does have a light reddish color, on the back rib of the Leaf.... Thanks for the replies, they are greatly appreciated!!

Thanks,

Frank

PaulOdin

Mine get pretty tall- pseudostems around 15-18 feet, w/ fairly narrow leaves going well above 20'. The stems are blotchy, from dead grass brown to black to green on the newer growth areas. The only red is that streak along the back of the leaf ridge, and some don't have even that. The widest stems are 18''-20'', but some are much narrower.
Have you seen blossoms from your friends plants? Mine are made of burgundy red petals about 5" square. They tend to hang maybe 2 feet away from the fruit.
So far, these are the only plants I've had long enough to bear fruit, and they produced 6" bananas in bunches of about 50.
Of course, all of this is subject to growing conditions- I never fertilized them, but they were in central Florida rather than the Tenn. River valley. I hope you'll let us know how yours do!

Paul

Frankallen

Thanks, for the Info Paul!! Will let y'all know and will also include photos a little bit later!! Thanks Again,

Frank