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View Full Version : Has anyone had any luck with these variegated bananas from Thailand?


Jananas Bananas
06-24-2010, 08:59 AM
This one is called "Ta Nee" over there but that may be a generic type name. It is supposed to be an edible and easy to grow. It is not listed in the WIKI - at least not under this name.

Advice - Perhaps varig8 or Clare?

So far (knock on wood) it seems to like Texas heat and sun and is tougher than the Ae.

This is a few days ago
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33168&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33168)

This is today 6/24/10
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33166&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33166)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33167&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33167)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33169&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33169)

~JaNan

Gabe15
06-24-2010, 11:16 AM
Regualr 'Tanee' (also 'Tani') is a form of M. balbisiana, non-edible. Your's does look like M. balbisiana, but I can't say for sure for awhile. I haven't been keeping much track of the variegated plants on the market though and plus common names are thrown around so much they often get mixed, so it may turn out to be an edible.

Bob
06-24-2010, 03:11 PM
Hi JaNan, was it from ebay by chance? How long did shipping take? I've found a source of "Pisang Ambon" ( Gros Michel ) there and am tempted to give it a shot ... wondering what you think.

B

harveyc
06-24-2010, 03:21 PM
mine's about the same size as yours, so no tips yet

harveyc
06-24-2010, 03:22 PM
Bob, I once got a plant shipped from Bangkok to here and it took just about 3 days but was destroyed because the plant supposedly had scale. Made me wonder if the inspector had a nice garden.

Jananas Bananas
06-24-2010, 04:13 PM
Yes, Bob i bought it off eBay. I buy a lot of plants there. My little Ae came from eBay also though not from Thailand. Some overseas shipping is not bad at all, my delays on that are with the Texas Agriculture Commission and the time it takes them to inspect and approve it coming from another country into Texas - so the delay was at the port in Houston.

If it is seeded I will share with the seed growers here (if I get to that stage). :) ~J

Clare_CA
06-24-2010, 05:10 PM
H JaNan, that's a nice looking banana you have there.

Steven (varieg8) is the person to give advice on that one since I am very new to growing it. It does look like mine, but I have several different Thai ones now, and I'm not sure of which is which at this point.

According to what I wrote down when I bought them, I have Musa Nam Wah albo variegata, Musa 'Tanna' albo variegata, AeAe, Namwah 'Pearl,' and some other Thai variegated ones, which could end up being the same type.

I believe the Nam Wah did bear fruit for Steven. He also said that the pups are highly variable. He said he did get an all green sucker a few years ago but that most of the pups are a nice 50/50 pattern of variegation. He said you can plant this one in full sun or part shade and that they do better in morning sun and afternoon shade.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/Clare_CA/bananas/2010-06-207.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/Clare_CA/bananas/2010-06-206.jpg
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/Clare_CA/bananas/2010-06-209.jpg

Your pictures are lovely:-)

Dalmatiansoap
06-25-2010, 03:09 AM
There were a few Togs posts about M. Ta nee and some realy interesting stories like:
http://www.bananas.org/f9/ghost-kluay-tanee-150-year-old-7496.html
Great looking plant Janan, good luck with that seeds ;)
:woohoonaner:

Jananas Bananas
06-25-2010, 08:46 AM
Thanks Clare! That is more helpful than you know. I was actually thinking NamWah when I bought it.

Ante, that was a fun interesting read. I don't know the different names for this so I will have to search these for threads.

Here is the actual description from the eBay ad:

Xl Rare Thai Variegated *WITH YELLOW variegation ........this one with extreme variegation..and green and YELLOW......plant for sale is a large div...from a mature clump..also good eating ....THESE CAN HAVE EVEN MORE CONTRASTING VARIEGATION THAN AEAE WITH IRREGULAR VARIEGATION PATTERNS...........PLANT PICTURED photo 1,......PHOTO 2 IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MATURE BANANA.Plant for sale is a large 3' division FROM THIS CLUMP

Here are some pictures from this morning 6/25/10
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33214&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33214)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33216&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33216)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33215&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33215)

~JaNan

Bananaman88
06-25-2010, 11:23 AM
Beautiful pics, JaNan!

Clare_CA
06-25-2010, 12:25 PM
Oh, good. I'm glad I could help. I love that Calathea also! Keep us posted on your treasure. I would love to see both of ours get big and pup!

Jananas Bananas
07-10-2010, 08:48 AM
Here's the new leaf with some broad white bands on it. It is however already burning. I may need to move it to the back yard with the Ae's.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33923&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33923)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33924&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33924)

Look at the stripes on the p-stem. I think it is really beautiful!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33922&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33922)

~JaNan

Clare_CA
07-10-2010, 02:25 PM
Keep those pictures coming. I never tire at looking at them. I agree with you about the stems. Very pretty.

Clare_CA
07-15-2010, 03:03 PM
How are your bananas doing, JaNan? My AeAe looks terrible in this hot weather and burns much more easily than my Thai ones. In my opinion, the AeAe is prettier in a shaded aspect, but the Thai ones handle full sun better.

Jananas Bananas
07-15-2010, 03:52 PM
Thanks for asking Clare! I just moved the Thai variegate to the backyard a couple days ago and it is putting out a new leaf.
July 13 2010
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34191&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34191)
July 14 2010
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34189&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34189)

The little Ae is doing really well. She's got another leaf coming out on her as well.
July 13 2010
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34192&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34192)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34193&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34193)
July 14 2010
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34190&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34190)

I have a larger Ae that isn't as pretty as the baby which is touch and go, I guess.
July 14 2010
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34198&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34198)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34194&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34194)

I have a big fat corm of the Thai Variegate that finally is showing some new growth that is fairly healthy looking:
July 14 2010
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34195&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34195)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34196&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34196)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34197&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34197)

I know it doesn't look like much but I had to cut a lot of rot off of it.

~JaNan

Clare_CA
07-15-2010, 04:13 PM
Thanks for the update, JaNan! Your bananas look great! Don't you just love the chunks of white on those leaves? Your AeAe's look awesome too.

cherokee_greg
07-16-2010, 09:32 AM
Thanks for all the pictures I would grow these too,but im affraid they will not do good here in the winter. It does get cold here. I was really shocked tho my DC came back after are cold winter. Thanks I really enjoy the pictures.

Jananas Bananas
07-17-2010, 07:41 AM
Thanks Greg! If you like the look of the variegated bananas and do want to give it a try I would recommend the Thai variegate. They are much, much tougher than the AeAe but you still get beautiful color and I believe they can survive your winter with the usual protection given other bananas. Check with Clare, but I think you two are both in zone 9 and she had hers in the ground through winter.

~JaNan

Clare_CA
07-17-2010, 11:23 AM
I'm actually in Southern California in Zone 10 here where it doesn't get much colder than about 40 in the winter, dipping down to the mid- to high-30's for just a few hours before sunrise in the coldest part of the winter. I have a friend and fellow plumeria grower just a few miles from me who lost an AeAe in the ground. I do think it gets a few degrees colder in the winter where he is.

This is my first year with variegated bananas in the ground so we'll see how they do this coming winter. I agree that the Thai variegates seem to be a whole lot less fussy than the AeAe.

Jananas Bananas
07-18-2010, 08:37 AM
Sorry Clare! That's what I get for trying to rely on my memory. I thought I had read in a post something about zone 9 and you and that's how it stuck. I am certainly more zonally challenged, USDA claims I am right on the line - 8b/9a. I have had good luck with everything I had planted in the ground coming back for me. I just hate the thought of putting something in the ground (especially the expensive ones) and killing it for no reason.

I used to live in Southern California and had severe withdrawal when we moved from there, but I finally adapted. :)

~JaNan

Clare_CA
07-18-2010, 01:04 PM
No need to apologize at all, JaNan! I should have my location listed in my stats. What about one of those pop up greenhouses to go over the top of the bananas that are in the ground. They make them in all different sizes. You could even put a heater in there. Here's one that I used one year: FlowerHouse FHSP300 SpringHouse portable greenhouse (http://www.comforthouse.com/flowerhouse1.html) I sympathize with you having to deal with freezing temps while growing tropicals. I know how hard you and others work to have a tropical garden. Keep us posted on your beauties.

Jananas Bananas
07-19-2010, 08:52 AM
Thanks for the link Clare! I have a lot of strong wind year round here in central Texas so I am not sure how that would work, but I might give it a try with one and see how it holds up. It would be quite handy if I could pick it up and take it off as needed. ~J

cherokee_greg
07-19-2010, 08:59 AM
Thanks Greg! If you like the look of the variegated bananas and do want to give it a try I would recommend the Thai variegate. They are much, much tougher than the AeAe but you still get beautiful color and I believe they can survive your winter with the usual protection given other bananas. Check with Clare, but I think you two are both in zone 9 and she had hers in the ground through winter.

~JaNan

Thanks no like Clare said she is in a diffrent part of California my part gets cold it actually snowed one year well to me it was snow. LOL Its cold in the winter and so hot in the summer.
Were do you find those Thai Variegate ? I never see them.
Thanks again

Jananas Bananas
07-19-2010, 11:49 AM
Hi Greg! I bought mine off eBay. Here is one listed right now for you or anyone else that might be interested:

RARe Thai Variegated YELLOW/GREEN Banana 3' collectors - eBay (item 330452730992 end time Jul-21-10 07:59:33 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/RARe-Thai-Variegated-YELLOW-GREEN-Banana-3-collectors-/330452730992?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf0848470#ht_500wt_1154)

Here is a new picture from this morning of my Thai Variegate - the new leaf is starting to unfurl.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34471&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34471)

~JaNan

Clare_CA
07-19-2010, 01:19 PM
Very cool picture, JaNan! Yeah, that greenhouse is the easiest greenhouse that I've ever assembled, and I have assembed about four of them. You definitely would want to get some long railroad type spikes or bended rebar and secure it down to the ground. We get wind in our area too, and my husband used a heavy duty rope, tied on both ends to rebar to keep it from being carried away. I think I even lined the bottoms with bricks or rocks as well. It comes off and folds up nicely too.

Edited to add: Greg, I got mine from the same seller at the link that JaNan provided. I also got a few from Steven, who is Miamimax on EBay.

cherokee_greg
07-20-2010, 09:24 AM
Ok you two, I have one coming ! I did it. Now what ? LOL Is there a certain kind a care I should know about these ? A certain soil are anything ? Im excited tho I always wanted one. I bit the dust :woohoonaner: Nothing like Chickens and variegated banana plants !

Clare_CA
07-20-2010, 11:56 AM
Congrats, Greg! Awesome, buddy! You will have no problem this time of year. Steven's recommendation to me was half good potting soil and half Perlite when it first arrives and are planted in a container (unless you are going to plant right in the ground). That way, you can be sure of good drainage and not overwatering when winter comes. I think you will love your new banana! Be sure to post pictures when it arrives. Yeah, chickens and variegated bananas rule!

cherokee_greg
07-21-2010, 08:55 AM
Does anyone have any information about the Thai variegate ? Is that the true name for it ? And they are from Thailand ? Im always full of questions.

Jananas Bananas
07-21-2010, 09:07 AM
Regualr 'Tanee' (also 'Tani') is a form of M. balbisiana, non-edible. Your's does look like M. balbisiana, but I can't say for sure for awhile. I haven't been keeping much track of the variegated plants on the market though and plus common names are thrown around so much they often get mixed, so it may turn out to be an edible.


Greg here is what Gabe told me early on in this post. The seller said they are "good eating" in the auction description, so we may not know until we get flower and fruit. I think they call a lot of them by the same name over there soooo......your guess is as good as mine. I have just been calling mine the Thai Variegate and figured most the folks here would know what I was talking about. If you find any more information about them please let us know. I know a handful of us are growing them, but Steven (varig8) may know the "correct" name for them.

~JaNan

Jananas Bananas
07-29-2010, 01:44 PM
New shots of the Variegates 7/29/10:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34981&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34981&ppuser=5614)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34980&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34980&ppuser=5614)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34979&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34979&ppuser=5614)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34982&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34982&ppuser=5614)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34988&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34988&ppuser=5614)

~JaNan

Clare_CA
07-29-2010, 02:32 PM
Awesome shots, JaNan! And your girls are sooooooooooo cute!

exovetek
07-29-2010, 08:34 PM
JaNan, those are beautiful plants. I have a white variegated Nam Wa, a yellow variegated Nam Wa, and a Tanee all from Thailand sellers. Is the one in the middle of your last pic the one from the ebay listing (mda1515)? I'm wondering if it's one of the ones I already have. I'm about to give in and get one just in case it's not. What do you think?

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35017&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35017&ppuser=6382)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35016&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35016&ppuser=6382)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35018&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35018&ppuser=6382)

Jananas Bananas
07-29-2010, 09:15 PM
Thank you Seth! Yours are very beautiful also. I especially like that yellow and green one. Maybe we can trade pups when they get bigger! Yes, the tallest in the middle is a variegated tri-color with yellow, green, and white Nam Wah from eBay mda1515. I just got an email from him today confirming that they are Nam Wah from Thailand. The big corm is also a variegated Nam Wah - it seems to have a lot of pink showing in the p-stem along with the white. I don't know if it will show all the colors in the leaves, as the cigar showing will be the first leaf coming since I purchased it. The Ae on the right is from a Florida Seller and the Ae on the left is from Hawaii, both also off eBay but not mda1515. Guessing, I would say they are the same, but there are so many out there odds are against it. Hope that helps!

~JaNan

exovetek
07-29-2010, 09:30 PM
Thanks JaNan. I had no idea that it was tricolor. It's hard to tell in the picture. I noticed that as the leaf ages on my yellow one, the yellow turns to a lime green. If you so choose, we will trade our first borne:bananas_b

Jananas Bananas
07-29-2010, 10:18 PM
Seth this is the same plant - the variegated Nam Wah. If you click on the picture then click again I think it will show a close up of the coloring. The red edge shows up after the leaf has been opened for a few days. I think it is beautiful!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34212&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34212)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34213&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34213)

~J

exovetek
07-29-2010, 10:32 PM
Thank you for the close up JaNan. It is absolutely beautiful.

CValentine
07-29-2010, 11:15 PM
LOVE the PINK!!! :D ~Cheryl

Jananas Bananas
09-30-2010, 02:05 PM
Here are a couple of update pictures of these Nam Wah Variegates. Mine are growing very slowly, but both have opened new leaves the past couple of days.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37127&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37127)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=37130&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=37130)

~JaNan

Clare_CA
09-30-2010, 05:30 PM
Looking good, JaNan! I love these bananas!