Largest Bananas?

Bamboo Conne'iseur · 08-04-2007, 02:03 PM

It seems my hopes have been dashed in regards to the gigantea form of Musa itenerans. From what I have gathered so far, either it does not exist in the U.S yet, or it is extremely hard to find. What is supposed to be this, is really another type. So my question is, what is the largest banana or plantain that one can get right now? Does it come even close to the max. height (supposedly) of 40 feet like the gigantea is reputed to grow to? I am looking for some wow specimens to go along with my monster bamboos. Thanks you for any input.

Gabe15 · 08-04-2007, 02:12 PM

The biggest one thats easy to get, and easy to find true to type is Musa 'Saba'. I've seen them easily get 25ft or more, and are said to be capable of 40ft, although I have not seen this. They also get very wide pseudostems and definetly give the impression of an oversized plant.

Bamboo Conne'iseur · 08-04-2007, 02:15 PM

Very nice, thank you. I will have to look into possibly getting this one. Are there any large sized one that have nice colors on the pseudostems? I forget which one, but I did see a nice looking banana on this forum that had a nice purple color to it.

bigdog · 08-04-2007, 08:08 PM

Aaron, the Musa itinerans you refer to is Musa itinerans var. xishuangbannaensis, and it does exist here in the U.S., although it isn't easy to come by. It does get quite tall in the wild, upwards of 35 feet or even more. Here's mine from a couple of weeks ago:

Saba would be your best bet. Kandrian is also a beast.

Bamboo Conne'iseur · 08-04-2007, 08:18 PM

Nice plant Big Dog. I noticed I can get what you are talking about on seedman, but I was not sure if it is what the site says it is. Maybe I should just go ahead and get several of the large types.

microfarmer · 08-04-2007, 08:25 PM

Yes, if you're like me, I do not think you'll truly be happy until you do get several types...

How 'bout the musa Ingens? http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showp...o=2452&cat=510

AnnaJW · 08-04-2007, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by microfarmer

Yes, if you're like me, I do not think you'll truly be happy until you do get several types...

How 'bout the musa Ingens? http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showp...o=2452&cat=510

Oh, I would SOOOOOOOO love one or more of those!

Bamboo Conne'iseur · 08-04-2007, 11:03 PM

That one does look BIG. I will have to consider that one for sure...
Thanks for the help, and hopefully I will get a few different large sized ones. I know bananas certainly size up fast here, so I got high hopes that I can get a large one in a couple of years or so.

mrbungalow · 08-05-2007, 06:15 AM

Beeing a highland species, Musa Ingens has exceptionally difficult cultural environments, and does not grow in climates that doesn't experience cool nights and moderately warm, misty days. Also, it's virtually impossible from seed.

For a gigantic banana-plant, I would consider Musa Boman instead, if you can get your hands on some seeds. This one is also native to Papua New Guinea, but grows in the hotter lowlands and has easier cultural requirements.

Erlend

Bamboo Conne'iseur · 08-05-2007, 02:38 PM

Thank you for the heads up. That is very important to know. There are several types of mountain bamboos that are the same way, and if I attempt to grow them here, they will perish in the Florida heat.

08-04-2007, 02:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bamboo Conne'iseur Junior Member Location: Winter Springs, Fl Zone: 9B Name: Aaron Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 78 BananaBucks : 44,776 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 12 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Largest Bananas? It seems my hopes have been dashed in regards to the gigantea form of Musa itenerans. From what I have gathered so far, either it does not exist in the U.S yet, or it is extremely hard to find. What is supposed to be this, is really another type. So my question is, what is the largest banana or plantain that one can get right now? Does it come even close to the max. height (supposedly) of 40 feet like the gigantea is reputed to grow to? I am looking for some wow specimens to go along with my monster bamboos. Thanks you for any input.

08-04-2007, 02:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,348,052 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 8,241 Times in 2,200 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Largest Bananas? The biggest one thats easy to get, and easy to find true to type is Musa 'Saba'. I've seen them easily get 25ft or more, and are said to be capable of 40ft, although I have not seen this. They also get very wide pseudostems and definetly give the impression of an oversized plant. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

08-04-2007, 02:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bamboo Conne'iseur Junior Member Location: Winter Springs, Fl Zone: 9B Name: Aaron Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 78 BananaBucks : 44,776 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 12 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Largest Bananas? Very nice, thank you. I will have to look into possibly getting this one. Are there any large sized one that have nice colors on the pseudostems? I forget which one, but I did see a nice looking banana on this forum that had a nice purple color to it.

08-04-2007, 08:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
bigdog ******* bigdog's Photo Gallery** Location: Gainesville, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Frank Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,002 BananaBucks : 745,655 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 213 Times Was Thanked 1,787 Times in 502 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 131 Times	Re: Largest Bananas? Aaron, the Musa itinerans you refer to is Musa itinerans var. xishuangbannaensis, and it does exist here in the U.S., although it isn't easy to come by. It does get quite tall in the wild, upwards of 35 feet or even more. Here's mine from a couple of weeks ago: Saba would be your best bet. Kandrian is also a beast.

08-04-2007, 08:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bamboo Conne'iseur Junior Member Location: Winter Springs, Fl Zone: 9B Name: Aaron Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 78 BananaBucks : 44,776 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 12 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Largest Bananas? Nice plant Big Dog. I noticed I can get what you are talking about on seedman, but I was not sure if it is what the site says it is. Maybe I should just go ahead and get several of the large types.

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08-04-2007, 11:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bamboo Conne'iseur Junior Member Location: Winter Springs, Fl Zone: 9B Name: Aaron Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 78 BananaBucks : 44,776 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 12 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Largest Bananas? That one does look BIG. I will have to consider that one for sure... Thanks for the help, and hopefully I will get a few different large sized ones. I know bananas certainly size up fast here, so I got high hopes that I can get a large one in a couple of years or so.

08-05-2007, 06:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
mrbungalow Freezing member mrbungalow's Photo Gallery Location: Bergen, Norway Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Erlend Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 598 BananaBucks : 50,878 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 165 Times in 78 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: Largest Bananas? Beeing a highland species, Musa Ingens has exceptionally difficult cultural environments, and does not grow in climates that doesn't experience cool nights and moderately warm, misty days. Also, it's virtually impossible from seed. For a gigantic banana-plant, I would consider Musa Boman instead, if you can get your hands on some seeds. This one is also native to Papua New Guinea, but grows in the hotter lowlands and has easier cultural requirements. Erlend __________________

08-05-2007, 02:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
Bamboo Conne'iseur Junior Member Location: Winter Springs, Fl Zone: 9B Name: Aaron Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 78 BananaBucks : 44,776 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 12 Times Was Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Largest Bananas? Thank you for the heads up. That is very important to know. There are several types of mountain bamboos that are the same way, and if I attempt to grow them here, they will perish in the Florida heat.

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