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Bananaman88
06-13-2010, 07:05 PM
I believe that my California Gold is about to bloom. I got it from a member here last spring, so this is it's second growing season. It has about 3', maybe slightly more, of pstem height before the lowest leaf. I have been noticing each leaf get slightly smaller and their orientation stays more and more upright with each progressive leaf. Hopefully I'll be seeing the bud emerge before long. Here's a few photos:


http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32800&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32800&ppuser=824)
Close up of leaf.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32799&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32799&ppuser=824)
Cal. Gold with me for scale (I'm 5' 10").

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32801&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32801&ppuser=824)
Cal. Gold on left, Ice Cream on right, for size comparison.


Here is a picture taken today (6-16-10) of the flag leaf and emerging bud.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32886&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32886&ppuser=824)

These two pics taken today, 6-24-10)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33206&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33206&ppuser=824)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33207&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33207&ppuser=824)
39" from the base to the lowest leaf.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33817&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33817&ppuser=824)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33818&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33818&ppuser=824)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33819&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33819&ppuser=824)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33820&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33820&ppuser=824)
These last two photos of fruit taken 7-7-10. Total finger count is 23, pretty disappointed that it didn't have more but I was told to expect that for it's first bunch. Hopefully it will fruit again next year and have more fruit. There is already a pup that is tall than the mother plant.

Here is a shot of the fruit as of today (Sept. 20, 2010) Shouldn't have much longer to go!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=36824&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36824)

Harvested today (Nov. 1, 2010). Fruit was first observed on either June 25 or 26, so it has been just slightly over 4 months. Yes, they are delicious!!!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=38059&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38059)

Abnshrek
06-13-2010, 08:09 PM
:woohoonaner: Congrat's Brent that's squared away. :^) :drum::0517:
:0519: Looks healthy as a horse :^)

Dean W.
06-13-2010, 08:25 PM
Congrats Brent! :woohoonaner:

LilRaverBoi
06-13-2010, 09:10 PM
Very nice! Keep us informed on the progress!

Caloosamusa
06-14-2010, 05:11 AM
Congratulations Brent!! May it produce well for you!!! :2239:

Jack Daw
06-14-2010, 06:02 AM
Looking good!

Dalmatiansoap
06-14-2010, 06:06 AM
Healthy plants. Love that labels.
:woohoonaner:

cherokee_greg
06-14-2010, 09:14 AM
Very nice plants. Good for you keep us posted. Thanks

Bob
06-14-2010, 04:24 PM
Very cool Brent!:woohoonaner: Hope you get a big bunch!

Tropicman
06-14-2010, 08:05 PM
Was it in the ground all winter?
If so did all the leaves stay green?
Or is that all new growth this year?
You had quite some cold weather and snow storm this winter,just wondering how it held up!
Don

DaveE
06-14-2010, 09:37 PM
Awesome, hoping you get a great big bunch. Please keep us updated!! :woohoonaner:

Bananaman88
06-15-2010, 06:27 AM
Was it in the ground all winter?
If so did all the leaves stay green?
Or is that all new growth this year?
You had quite some cold weather and snow storm this winter,just wondering how it held up!
Don

Yes, it was in the ground all winter and we got down to around 22 or so a couple of times for several hours. I did have it wrapped with several layers of freeze cloth, however, and I'm sure that helped tremedously. Same treatment for the Ice Cream in one of the photos. I always lose all of the leaves on my bananas; it just gets too cold here in the winter. I focus on saving as much of the pstem as possible and the leaves just have to regrow.

Dean W.
06-15-2010, 07:46 AM
Brent, where do you get this 'freeze cloth.'

cherokee_greg
06-15-2010, 08:45 AM
Healthy plants. Love that labels.
:woohoonaner:

I know the labels are cool too gotta do that.

Bananaman88
06-15-2010, 11:46 AM
Dean,

You should be able to get it at some of your larger nurseries. It comes in varying thicknesses and helps to provide a few degrees of frost protection.

Bananaman88
06-16-2010, 09:19 PM
I have added a photo of the flag leaf and bud of my California Gold in my original post. See top of page.

Abnshrek
06-16-2010, 09:22 PM
Thar she blow's :^) Hope you get a bunch of fruit Brent :^)

DaveE
06-16-2010, 09:41 PM
:nanadrink:

I have added a photo of the flag leaf and bud of my California Gold in my original post. See top of page.

Want Them All
06-16-2010, 11:44 PM
Looking good! I noticed the leaves are relatively intact, your area must not get a lot of wind. My leaves are all tattered/

Bananaman88
06-17-2010, 06:26 AM
Looking good! I noticed the leaves are relatively intact, your area must not get a lot of wind. My leaves are all tattered/

Actually, we do get quite a lot of wind; however, most of the dwarf types tend to have a bit stouter leaves. Also, with their leaves being shorter, they don't catch and flap in the wind as much as your taller varieties so they don't tatter as badly. If you'll look at the photo that also shows my 'Ice Cream' banana you'll notice quite a bit of leaf shredding on that plant.

sunfish
06-19-2010, 05:00 PM
Brent looking at your plant where the base of the leaf meets the petiole, does the C.G. more resemble namwah leaf or orinoco ? thanks


NAMWAH
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33025&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33025&ppuser=2868)

ORINOCO
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33024&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33024&ppuser=2868)

DaveE
06-23-2010, 11:24 AM
Brent

Any updates or additional photos?

Dave

Bananaman88
06-23-2010, 11:28 AM
I haven't had a chance to compare the leaf bases. I don't see much difference in your two photos. The bud is now starting to hang down so in another day or two the first bract should fold back and reveal the first hand of fruit. I'll post some additional photos as things progress.

DaveE
06-23-2010, 12:19 PM
Brent looking at your plant where the base of the leaf meets the petiole, does the C.G. more resemble namwah leaf or orinoco ? thanks


NAMWAH
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33025&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33025&ppuser=2868)

ORINOCO
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33024&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33024&ppuser=2868)

Tony,

The area where the leaf meets the petiole on my CA Gold is the same as my Dwarf Namwah. Very interesting observation. Not even close to Orinoco or Dwarf Orinoco.

Dave

sunfish
06-23-2010, 12:26 PM
Tony,

The area where the leaf meets the petiole on my CA Gold is the same as my Dwarf Namwah. Very interesting observation. Not even close to Orinoco or Dwarf Orinoco.

Dave

That's what I was thinking and the C.G.seems to have a broader leaf.

DaveE
06-23-2010, 12:35 PM
That's what I was thinking and the C.G.seems to have a broader leaf.

This could shed new light on the CA Gold is the same as Dwarf Orinoco argument.

Dave

sunfish
06-23-2010, 12:53 PM
This could shed new light on the CA Gold is the same as Dwarf Orinoco argument.

Dave

But I think the fruit is Orinoco shape.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14663&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14663&si=California gold)

DaveE
06-23-2010, 01:15 PM
But I think the fruit is Orinoco shape.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14663&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14663&si=California gold)


I meant more on the line that it takes away from the argument (If it holds true) that CA Gold is the same exact plant as Dwarf Orinoco. There are other plants including Saba that have this same lobed look to that area. I didn't mean to make the stretch that is was the same as Namwah.

Dave

sunfish
06-23-2010, 01:18 PM
I meant more on the line that it takes away from the argument (If it holds true) that CA Gold is the same exact plant as Dwarf Orinoco. There are other plants including Saba that have this same lobed look to that area. I didn't mean to make the stretch that is was the same a Namwah.

Dave

10-4

Bananaman88
06-24-2010, 09:07 PM
Two new pics in original post.

Abnshrek
06-24-2010, 09:17 PM
That's awesome Brent, great update.. :^):woohoonaner:

DaveE
06-24-2010, 09:19 PM
I believe that my California Gold is about to bloom. I got it from a member here last spring, so this is it's second growing season. It has about 3', maybe slightly more, of pstem height before the lowest leaf. I have been noticing each leaf get slightly smaller and their orientation stays more and more upright with each progressive leaf. Hopefully I'll be seeing the bud emerge before long. Here's a few photos:


http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32800&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32800&ppuser=824)
Close up of leaf.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32799&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32799&ppuser=824)
Cal. Gold with me for scale (I'm 5' 10").

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32801&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32801&ppuser=824)
Cal. Gold on left, Ice Cream on right, for size comparison.


Here is a picture taken today (6-16-10) of the flag leaf and emerging bud.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32886&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32886&ppuser=824)

These two pics taken today, 6-24-10)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33206&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33206&ppuser=824)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33207&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33207&ppuser=824)
39" from the base to the lowest leaf.

Awesome, thanks for the update! :bananas_b

Dean W.
06-25-2010, 04:35 AM
Thanks for the update!

Bananaman88
07-07-2010, 08:55 PM
New photos in original post.

Abnshrek
07-07-2010, 08:58 PM
That's great Brent :^)

DaveE
07-07-2010, 09:11 PM
Thanks for the update. Good luck with those 23 beauties!

Dave

Bananaman88
09-20-2010, 02:46 PM
New photo of fruit added to original post.

Bananaman88
09-29-2010, 05:00 PM
I should be getting fruit from this plant in about a month. See post #1 for most recent pictures.

Caloosamusa
09-30-2010, 08:21 AM
They look really well cared for! Great Job Brent! :jalapenonaner:

hammer
09-30-2010, 02:57 PM
:woohoonaner::woohoonaner:Very nice let us know how they taste.

venturabananas
10-02-2010, 06:22 PM
So what does California Gold taste like? Sounds like Brent won't be able to say about this bunch for another month or so, but surely given how popular this variety has been with members of this org, several of you should be able to weigh in on the flavor.

Is it worth growing CA gold if you live in a warmer area, where you could grow other varieties without worrying about them making it through the winter?

Bananaman88
11-01-2010, 08:21 PM
I just added a photo of the fruit I harvest off of this plant today to the first post in this thread. It was just over 4 months from the time the first fruit appeared to harvest. The fruit turned yellow almost overnight. I have never seen fruit change color so quickly. I ate one today and it was very good, though very similar in taste to my 'Orinoco'.

venturabananas
11-01-2010, 10:34 PM
Brent, thanks for the info on the flavor of the CA Gold. To my untrained eye, those fruits sure look a lot like Orinoco fruits, so I'm not surprised they taste like that variety. Congrats on the harvest! I'd sure love to have some of those bananas in my morning bowl of Cheerios!

Gabe15
11-02-2010, 12:08 AM
'California Gold' is a Bluggoe banana, specifically a form of 'Dwarf Orinoco', this has been clear for quite awhile now. The only question about it that's really remaining, is how different it is from the common 'Dwarf Orinoco', or if it is really different at all. Since it's claim to fame (cold hardiness) has nothing to do with morphology, it is unlikely any difference will be observed just by looking at the plants. What needs to happen is for many people to grow 'Dwarf Orinoco' and 'California Gold' side by side across many different climates to see how they react in cold weather. To really get the most out of it, they should be grown in marginal climates where 'Dwarf Orinoco' may struggle some or needs extra help in the winter, then you could easily see if 'California Gold' is really better in colder climates. If 'Dwarf Orinoco' grows fine for you, 'California Gold' should be nearly, if not completely, identical in habit. If there is any uniqueness about it, it is still certainly a sport from common 'Dwarf Orinoco'.

Regarding it's eating quality, I have never eaten it, but I have had various other Bluggoes ('Orinoco', 'Cachaco', 'Dole', 'Largo', some unknown ones too), and they tend to be extremely soft, nearly falling apart when fully ripe, with some sweetness and acidity, but relatively bland. I find it's hard to eat very much of them at one time when ripe, it's very easy for me to saturate on them really quickly, whereas other varieties I could eat many. If I was growing them, I try to use them primarily as a cooking banana, and if they don't all get used up then, and I'm hungry, then as a dessert banana. But we must always remember that everyone's taste and preference is different, so don't get too caught up in how other people rate and describe different varieties.

Bananaman88
11-02-2010, 11:40 AM
The one I ate yesterday yielded slightly when squeezed so I deterimined that it was ready to eat. I had no problem with it trying to fall apart on me (never had that problem with 'Orinoco' either but perhaps mine weren't as ripe as the Blulggoes you ate) and I thought the taste was very good, with a "tangy" quality to it, again, just like my 'Orinoco' in the past. When I peeled the fruit of the CG yesterday, the fruit had a "mealy" look to it, if that makes sense, same as I have observed with 'Orinoco' in the past. By "mealy" I mean it doesn't look nice and smooth like a peeled Cavendish. I guess you'd have to see it to know what I mean. If I think to, the next time I eat one, I'll try to take a picture of it as I peel it so everyone can see.

Gabe15
11-02-2010, 12:11 PM
Here is a peeled ripe fruit ('Orinoco') as Brent has described.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=38070&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38070&ppuser=5)

ron_mcb
11-02-2010, 03:11 PM
Sometimes i wonder why so few zone 8/9 people have ever taken dwarf orinoco and cali-gold and left them both in the ground over winter unprotected to help debunk some of the myths? Maybe its because most people see C.G. as trophy plants??? U folks should already know what would happen to a cali gold if i found one in my mailbox :ha:

BB73
11-02-2010, 04:13 PM
I'm in one of that marginal zones and have both plants. My California Gold is already in ground. My Dw. Orinoco is still very small, but I like to try them next year side by side. We'll see what happens!

Bananaman88
11-02-2010, 10:33 PM
Thanks, Gabe...that's pretty much what they look like.