Greetings
Maybe I expressed myself in a wrong way: mentioning that I have interests in Israel I did not mean that I have commercial activities there. I only meant that I would be very interested in getting information about success with bananas and other tropical plants in that land, just as I am interested in getting similar information concerning California. This because Israel has a big production of bananas, and so:
1) Even if in general Israel is warmer (and in some areas, as the Negev, even quite warmer) than my region, there are areas which present a climate similar to mine, as for example the hills in Galilea. In the end of the day we are in the same Mediterranean climate and seasonal variations are very similar. Thus, for example, a variety of banana which is used in Israel for commercial purposes must be a variety accustomed to face a winter time, even if a very mild one, and in this it would be different from a strictly tropical variety which sees no winter at all. Moreover, I do not have to grow bananas for commercial reasons, and thus a variety which in Israel satisfies commercial standards, in my region should at least work for personal use.
2) Another reason is that I heard that in Israel they have been able to cultivate bananas in areas which should be even cooler than mine. This I read it in a article of which I am going to attach the link, in order that you all can give me your opinion. The article refers to a farmer in New Zealand but the man says he got his idea of cultivating bananas in NZ after going to Israel and seeing in a kibbutz where bananas were cultivated "on the snow line". Since I read that article, I am still trying to get in contact with some Israeli farmer who could provide me more information on the matter.
That's the link:
Tropical passion rewarded with gardener-of-year title
This was just to explain my reference about "interests in Israel". Of course the religious charisma of that land makes everything more interesting too.
Bob, prickly pears are you usually classified as a 8b-zone plant. Maybe they can grow in a 8a zone if they are near the sea or if they face south or are in some way protected by harsh winds. These conditions happen sometimes on coastal areas. I also know for sure there are different varieties, but I do not think -I could be wrong- hardiness varies so much among them. Here we have, apart from the plants bearing orange fruit, others bearing white ones and other yet bearing purple ones.
Blessings