Annie6078OH

Hello!

This is only my 3rd season growing bananas -- one spring, I realized just how bored I was with all the "traditional" plants for around here in zone 6a. I wanted to try something new and learn all about it. I love tropicals (and, obviously, live in the wrong place for that!) and decided to give it a go. Didn't realize how much there is to learn/know, how many varieties, and just how addicted I would get.

The first banana I got was a dwarf cavendish. Afterwards, I was told that it was one of the hardest varieties to maintain when you must overwinter indoors. Apparently incorrect advice, as it turns out I've had great luck in getting my "Big Mama" to last all 3 seasons (approx. 200# rootball & p-stem). I just posted a question about a bizarre new event -- getting bananas, but coming out through the side of the p-stem! As I mention in my post, nothing I do is ever straightforward, so why would bananas be any different? I have her first large pup I took last year & one I just removed a week ago before knowing "mom" was going to bloom -- both getting their foothold this season & starting to grow well.

I also LOVE the look of red abysinnians and have a number of those. My largest right now is over 2 ft. tall and the other 4 starter plants are coming along nicely. I have a few velutinas & ornatas -- my first (and only) previous bloom was a velutina. Beautiful! Living "up here", I don't expect too much, just truly love the foliage and learning about growing new types of plants. I've been lucky, however, and have had now had 2 blooms, albeit this one a bit on the weird science side of things. I get stupid excited when the blooms come (yes, even this freaky one) -- showing play-by-play pictures & calling everyone I know blathering on about the event. I find it unbelievably fascinating.

I'm also growing 3 fan palms (having so-so luck with those -- 2nd season), a number of bottle palms (agonizingly slow growing), 4 varieties of cannas (including a new one this year ... Durban -- can't wait to see orange flowers!), several varieties of elephant ears (mostly giant so they can get some size on them during our short growing seasons), and am trying a pineapple for fun -- not expecting fruit, but got it to last the winter & into this 2nd season. Happy also for first-time luck in overwintering a hybiscus -- most people's plants overwintered around here never re-bloom, but mine is sporting a beautiful flower currently and several buds waiting to burst.

Motto: I NEED A GREENHOUSE!!!!

Well, now that I've given you TMI, I just wanted to say I'm glad to be here, am anxious to learn all I can from everyone, grateful for the kind and speedy advice, and looking forward to being part of this community.

Annie