varig8

OK, here's my 2 cents; I bought the first one he/she offered for $380 and change + shipping. I know he/she bought the original plant(s) in Indonesia. I know that this variegated version of Musa Ornata (Roxb) exists,>>(my bet is that its really Musa Ornata "Royale"). I know its there because I have a Thai Friend who has it and got his in Indo. There is a photo of his in my gallery here with 2 other variegates, I think it is labeled "3 new variegated bananas(?)" You can tell it is not an AeAe from the length of the petioles, the shape of its leaves, the thinness of the stalk, plus the burgandy/purplish coloration on the petioles. You can't tell variegated types of bananas by the variegation that particular plant is exhibiting. You have to look at them like they are normal green plants and discount any variegation patterning. Mine has 2 new leaves and it is variegated. I must say that the corm sent was very large and an old corm, looking like what I would expect an older established Ornata corm to look like. From the size, age, and shape of it, I doubt if it is anything but one of the Dwarf Ornatas. I believe it would have had to have been a stunted, grown in full sun with little water, abused larger type banana corm to look as it did, if it isnt an Ornata. I've handled hundreds and hundreds of leafless corms, but in the end this is just my opinion. Im fairly certain that it is what he/she says it is. Ive been growing all these Musa types for 25+ years here in Miami, and in the Caribbean on large farms, so I have enough confidence in myself to recognize some subtle differences in the photos to differentiate between some of the varieties. Now, having said that, 2 leaves on the one I received isnt enough growth to tell that it IS indeed one in the same as what is shown in the photo........give me 'til the end of summer after it gets some height to it. As for the "Fresh Seed" that might sprout during transit--HAHA...I paid $40 + shipping and he/she said he/she would even throw in a few extras since I bought the corm, well I never received them.......after a few emails he/she said they were re-sent.......after a few weeks (and the feedback time for them on Ebay had run out) still nothing. Up to now he/she has just decided to ignore my emails about this........ Should have thrown that money out the window and saved myself the trouble. Another friend of mine bought them for about the same price and not only did they not sprout, but after about a month or so, she cracked open a few and they were nothing but dust inside, a sure sign they were very old seed. In addition, if you know anything about Somatic variegates (sports) they will only germinate a very tiny % of variegated plants from seed, most, if sown fresh, will produce Etiolates (all whites which will die) and mostly normal greens. Hey Silla-come back down to a reasonable price, discount the $ I paid for the rotten seed I never got, and Ill buy that last corm.