Quote:
Originally Posted by geosulcata
My understanding is that banana plants cannot be imported into the U.S. Does anyone have information (APHIS web link or something) that says whether or not banana plant material can be imported? I would love to be able to import maqueno - but was told that no importations of banana plants were allowed due to the risk of disease importation.
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Bananas can be imported into the US. I've brought corms from the Philippines before. The only requirement is that the corm or plant is free of any soil or chemicals. If sent by mail or carrier, you will need a plant import permit which is easy to obtain from the USDA. If carried with luggage on a return trip from an approved country and a phytosanitary certificate from the country, no permit is necessary if it is less than a certain number of plants (not sure of the number anymore, 12 maybe). I will try to find my import documents and post a copy here.
Also, there is a nursery South near Hilo, HI that can ship the standard size Gros Michele. They do not have the dwarf variety. No need to go overboard and order from out of the country and go through the risks, if not hassle, just for one or a few from abroad.
Maqueño banana is listed with the Popo'ulu as part of the Maoli-Popo'ulu subgroup of cooking bananas domesticated in the Pacific region. I have seen a picture of this banana from an Ecuadorian lady who was commenting on a recipe from her grandmother that uses this banana, but the photo showed bananas that looked like a cross between cavendish and a plantain, and not like the Popo'ulu nor the Hua Moa (which I suspect are the same). They were a little bit more slender and longer than the Saba. The lady touts the Maqueño as the best cooking banana in the world, but coming from the Philippines I would say that the best is the Saba. Do you have a source from Ecuador for the Maqueño?
Chong