What is your favourite banana plant and why?

sverrirb · 09-23-2012, 10:13 AM

So what is your favourite banana plant to grow and why? Is it the fruit? Is it ornamental values or is it simply you bond specially well to some variety?

2woodensticks · 09-23-2012, 01:01 PM

for speed my Orinoco's...color has to be my jamaican dwarfs...anticipation has to be my praying hands{first time}fruit is hands down any red skinned fruit,just love it but cant always find them...but over all it will to be well all of them of course...

sib · 09-23-2012, 06:25 PM

Mine is the Saba banana because mine got chewed up twice by my Great Dane puppy. Two years in the row the poor plant lost all but maybe one leaf which was also pretty chewed up. The plant was around 2-3 feet tall and every time it looked like a gonner and came back again. Last year and this year for the first time ever it grew without any damage from my dane who is now 4 and much better behaved. It is now as tall as our house (rambler) and has 6 big leaves. It put forth it's best growth this year. I am very happy with it but stressed now because it will not fit in the house for the winter anymore and I will have to chop it a bit to fit inside. I live in WA state.
Sib

Illia · 12-03-2012, 04:52 PM

You're in WA state and grow Sabas? That's awesome. I love seeing more locals growing edible type bananas.

I don't have enough experience yet to name a true favorite, but so far really it's any unusual variety. Although Namwahs are the toughest out here in my experience, I love the anticipation of odd ones like Thousand Fingers, Praying Hands, etc. I hope to get to know the beauty and anticipation in Red Kru and Ae Ae as well.

Edited to add - Come the time, we'll see if maybe Velutina would be my favorite. It's a wildtype species, seeded, grows fast yet small, is very hardy, has amazing pink fruit, . . . I just have yet to figure if I like the taste.

edzone9 · 12-04-2012, 04:33 PM

Anything Plantain , PR Dwarf Plantain

island cassie · 12-04-2012, 05:57 PM

A really good cultivar of Orinoco when the fruit is left to ripen on the plant until the skin goes orange - takes some beating! Just delicious! After that I guess the Tall Red and the Orito are neck and neck - Manzano is great too. All of the above are superb when left to ripen on the plant (I keep banging on about this, but folks cut the bunches too soon). I leave mine until the fingers start to turn yellow on the plant, then I cut them down and wait some more. Of course they then have to be eaten speedily, but the improvement in flavour makes it worthwhile.

ron_mcb · 12-04-2012, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island cassie

A really good cultivar of Orinoco when the fruit is left to ripen on the plant until the skin goes orange - takes some beating! .

probably the only person past zone 8 who dosent think orinoco is poisonous.. don't know why I like orinoco and most any plantain.. When they look like theyre rotting on the outside they are just right on the inside. I mostly eat them raw.

Abnshrek · 12-04-2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ron_mcb

probably the only person past zone 8 who dosent think orinoco is poisonous.

maybe they get frozen.. :^)

trebor · 12-05-2012, 04:51 AM

MANANZO for flavor .. If I can keep them on The plant allow them to turn yellow. Pick a few to eat. The flavor is incredible .. The skin tends to split if there is excessive rain wile ripening so you need to keep an eye on them daily at that time.
Double Mahoi because of the double bloom

Jamaican Reds for color
If ya can't eat it, it ain't growing in my back yard !

Abnshrek · 12-05-2012, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebor

If ya can't eat it, it ain't growing in my back yard !

Now that's the truth.. :^)

Tampa-K · 12-05-2012, 07:10 PM

So far the Dwarf Cavendish because it is the only one that has provided fruit so far.

Yug · 12-05-2012, 07:23 PM

I'll reserve judgement until I have tasted all the ones I'm growing.

cheson74 · 01-02-2013, 04:30 PM

Dwarf Brazilians. Tastes great and very vigorous. However, i cant wait til the Mysore fruits. I hear it also taste great. Second would have to be the Dwarf Namwah.

Julian · 01-04-2013, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheson74

Dwarf Brazilians. Tastes great and very vigorous. However, i cant wait til the Mysore fruits. I hear it also taste great. Second would have to be the Dwarf Namwah.

Did you get your Mysore from Ko'olau? Mine has BSV, and it's not really thriving. I took it out of my yard before any of my other plants got it. It's at my work place, so I am still caring for it.

cheson74 · 01-05-2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian

Did you get your Mysore from Ko'olau? Mine has BSV, and it's not really thriving. I took it out of my yard before any of my other plants got it. It's at my work place, so I am still caring for it.

No I got it at Walmart. It sent up its first pup already.

robguz24 · 01-05-2013, 07:01 PM

I'd have to say Dwarf Brazilian also. Easy to grow, and still about the best banana I have tasted. Maybe a boring choice because they are probably the most common banana where I live. But in this case it is for some very good reasons. Some other bananas I've tried are extremely good (Namwah, Gros Michel, Raja Puri, Mysore) but I get tired of them after a while. I can eat Dwarf Brazilians every day and still enjoy them. They're a staple in my home. Now once I start getting SH3640s, that may be another I could enjoy every day.

Julian · 01-05-2013, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheson74

No I got it at Walmart. It sent up its first pup already.

Mine has a pup also but, it's got these ugly lines running down some leaves. The plant was about five feet tall when I got it, but I cut it in half. It started showing signs of BSV after I transplanted it. Gabe said that BSV is not that big of a deal, but it sure is ugly. I think Walmart and Koolau get there plants from the same nurseries on the Big Island. Glad that yours is doing better than mine.

cuban007 · 09-12-2014, 11:01 PM

Imho Manzano and Misi Luki are excellent tasting bananas.

Lau · 09-13-2014, 12:19 PM

I like Namva (Pisang Awak) and Ice-cream, because they are so reliable and produce every year. Jamaican Red and Dwarf Giant are beautiful plants and the fruit is very yummy, but it takes a long time to produce fruit. DC and my large unknown banana were my first plants very healthy well established and the bananas are good too. The rest of my bananas plants haven't produced fruit yet, so I could have a new favorite some day.

Timtim · 10-31-2014, 04:29 AM

Lady Fingers and Apple Bananas here which are absolutely divine however a pain to grow. I am not giving up though!

09-23-2012, 10:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
sverrirb Find me on the map! Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 36 BananaBucks : 15,642 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 12 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 7 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	What is your favourite banana plant and why? So what is your favourite banana plant to grow and why? Is it the fruit? Is it ornamental values or is it simply you bond specially well to some variety?

09-23-2012, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
2woodensticks PURA VIDA!! Location: close to tampa florida Find me on the map! Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 697 BananaBucks : 46,258 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 421 Times Was Thanked 469 Times in 286 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 310 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? for speed my Orinoco's...color has to be my jamaican dwarfs...anticipation has to be my praying hands{first time}fruit is hands down any red skinned fruit,just love it but cant always find them...but over all it will to be well all of them of course... __________________ got to love em..{neotropical rattlesnake..cascabell}

09-23-2012, 06:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
sib Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61 BananaBucks : 28,282 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 472 Times Was Thanked 55 Times in 32 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 34 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? Mine is the Saba banana because mine got chewed up twice by my Great Dane puppy. Two years in the row the poor plant lost all but maybe one leaf which was also pretty chewed up. The plant was around 2-3 feet tall and every time it looked like a gonner and came back again. Last year and this year for the first time ever it grew without any damage from my dane who is now 4 and much better behaved. It is now as tall as our house (rambler) and has 6 big leaves. It put forth it's best growth this year. I am very happy with it but stressed now because it will not fit in the house for the winter anymore and I will have to chop it a bit to fit inside. I live in WA state. Sib

12-03-2012, 04:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Illia Location: Forks, WA Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Illia Chavez Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 418 BananaBucks : 15,130 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 243 Times Was Thanked 311 Times in 202 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 117 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? You're in WA state and grow Sabas? That's awesome. I love seeing more locals growing edible type bananas. I don't have enough experience yet to name a true favorite, but so far really it's any unusual variety. Although Namwahs are the toughest out here in my experience, I love the anticipation of odd ones like Thousand Fingers, Praying Hands, etc. I hope to get to know the beauty and anticipation in Red Kru and Ae Ae as well. Edited to add - Come the time, we'll see if maybe Velutina would be my favorite. It's a wildtype species, seeded, grows fast yet small, is very hardy, has amazing pink fruit, . . . I just have yet to figure if I like the taste.

12-04-2012, 04:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
edzone9 Location: Florida Zone 9 Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Ed Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 916 BananaBucks : 261,189 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,140 Times Was Thanked 952 Times in 415 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 10 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? Anything Plantain , PR Dwarf Plantain

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12-04-2012, 05:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 383,876 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? A really good cultivar of Orinoco when the fruit is left to ripen on the plant until the skin goes orange - takes some beating! Just delicious! After that I guess the Tall Red and the Orito are neck and neck - Manzano is great too. All of the above are superb when left to ripen on the plant (I keep banging on about this, but folks cut the bunches too soon). I leave mine until the fingers start to turn yellow on the plant, then I cut them down and wait some more. Of course they then have to be eaten speedily, but the improvement in flavour makes it worthwhile.

12-05-2012, 04:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
trebor trebor's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: POMPANO BEACH, FL Zone 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 759 BananaBucks : 110,602 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 845 Times Was Thanked 1,329 Times in 483 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 256 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? MANANZO for flavor .. If I can keep them on The plant allow them to turn yellow. Pick a few to eat. The flavor is incredible .. The skin tends to split if there is excessive rain wile ripening so you need to keep an eye on them daily at that time. Double Mahoi because of the double bloom Jamaican Reds for color If ya can't eat it, it ain't growing in my back yard ! __________________ If ya can't eat it, it ain't growing in my back yard !

12-05-2012, 07:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
Tampa-K Location: Tampa FL Zone: 9-10 Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 2,892 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 16 Times in 8 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? So far the Dwarf Cavendish because it is the only one that has provided fruit so far. __________________

12-05-2012, 07:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
Yug Yug's Photo Gallery Location: Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 10-11 Name: Knobby D. Holme Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,465 BananaBucks : 59,476 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4,009 Times Was Thanked 1,742 Times in 812 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 463 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? I'll reserve judgement until I have tasted all the ones I'm growing.

01-02-2013, 04:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
cheson74 Aloha cheson74's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Zone: 12a Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 341 BananaBucks : 57,567 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 254 Times Was Thanked 491 Times in 145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? Dwarf Brazilians. Tastes great and very vigorous. However, i cant wait til the Mysore fruits. I hear it also taste great. Second would have to be the Dwarf Namwah. __________________

01-05-2013, 07:01 PM	#16 (permalink)
robguz24 Rob Location: Kalapana, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 11 Name: Rob Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,506 BananaBucks : 268,080 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,320 Times Was Thanked 4,961 Times in 1,080 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? I'd have to say Dwarf Brazilian also. Easy to grow, and still about the best banana I have tasted. Maybe a boring choice because they are probably the most common banana where I live. But in this case it is for some very good reasons. Some other bananas I've tried are extremely good (Namwah, Gros Michel, Raja Puri, Mysore) but I get tired of them after a while. I can eat Dwarf Brazilians every day and still enjoy them. They're a staple in my home. Now once I start getting SH3640s, that may be another I could enjoy every day. __________________ My micro-farm Stay on my Big Island banana farm cottage Last edited by robguz24 : 01-05-2013 at 09:32 PM.

09-12-2014, 11:01 PM	#18 (permalink)
cuban007 Location: Inland Empire Zone: 9b Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 17 BananaBucks : 7,146 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? Imho Manzano and Misi Luki are excellent tasting bananas.

09-13-2014, 12:19 PM	#19 (permalink)
Lau Location: Long Beach, California Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Susan Lau Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 573 BananaBucks : 79,322 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,337 Times Was Thanked 948 Times in 343 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 624 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? I like Namva (Pisang Awak) and Ice-cream, because they are so reliable and produce every year. Jamaican Red and Dwarf Giant are beautiful plants and the fruit is very yummy, but it takes a long time to produce fruit. DC and my large unknown banana were my first plants very healthy well established and the bananas are good too. The rest of my bananas plants haven't produced fruit yet, so I could have a new favorite some day.

10-31-2014, 04:29 AM	#20 (permalink)
Timtim Location: Los Angeles, CA Zone: 9 Name: Timothy Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 10,608 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: What is your favourite banana plant and why? Lady Fingers and Apple Bananas here which are absolutely divine however a pain to grow. I am not giving up though!

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