Re: Hua Moa
I used to grow Hua Moa for fruit, but now it never matures out, but just grow pups to go to the farmers markets. I absolutely RECOMMEND Orinoco, if you're going to want something similar for many reasons over HM.
I agree that Hua Moa is very good for tostones. However, there are many drawbacks with HM, which is that it seems it's a bit slower of a grower and is a 24-28 month'er, and it's hands are often uneven with many underdeveloped fruit and few full-sized fruit (12-15 avg). Also, it seems to need a much longer maturing time than Orinoco. I had waited 6 months for one inflorescence to mature. I think it also had a bit less density than Orinoco as well, which created the sections to break easier when sautee'ing for tostones. I can't say enough good about Orinoco just for the fact that it makes a pretty sweet dessert banana if allowed to hang on the tree till it turns yellow. Lastly, Hua Moa is picky. Propagation is sometimes tricky...Whenever I cut off the pups, they have to be put into incredibly fast draining soil, or they will easily rot. Secondly, it has to be brought in even here, because I've had a near complete dieback at 35-38 degrees, while Orinoco often makes it through the whole winter with foliage unburned. Anyway, this is my experience.
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you will never have enough bananas ^_^
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