In Ft. Lauderdale - - - I recall there being a place a block or two north of SE 17th, somewhere near Cordova Rd. If you are way north downtown, try the Jello Pages. The brand name is Black Gold. Whoever you call, don't let them talk you out of it if they do not have it. They will try to talk you into whatever they have.
Also ask if they carry the rock dust. Neither is cheap to buy, both are cheap to use. When you use rock dust, you will ask yourself: Where has this stuff been all my life? Reading about rock dust is what inspired Rodale to start Organic Gardening and Farming.
These Orinoco bananas were grown from chicken manure and kitchen scraps. They weighed about 60 pounds.The plant was about 12 feet to where the stem came out. One Cuban exile said he never saw one so tall in Cuba.
Notice that the 2 x 4 support is just below where the stem emerges from the plant, that is where most of the pressure will be that can bring a plant down. Also notice that it is strapped to the plant. This is done so if a wind comes from the direction of the "lean," the plant will have weight to keep it from blowing down on the opposite side of the support. The 2 x 4s are also bolted together.
Orinoco is the banana of choice in Cuba and much of Central America for tostones—a world of difference from plantains.
By-the-way, you will also find that red bananas make the best banana pancakes.
