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View Full Version : My California Gold is about to flower.


asacomm
08-21-2010, 04:03 AM
It took almost 31 months before it starts to flower. I think it is a bit long
as in my place other edible bananas take about 24 months or so.
This might be related with the lowest temperature in the winter time as it
drops often under minus 3C or so, and this banana might have received
strong stress or something.

Anyway my Cal. Gold is about to flower now.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35892&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35893&size=1

The highest point of the pstem(bending point) is about 130cm above the
root, and this banana is very compact and is convenient for handling when
potted in container, and will be safe for strong winds.

Thus I think this is one of the most recommendable edible banana speecies,
although I do not know how the fruits taste and if this is prolific or not.
Any comments on these points are welcome.

Dalmatiansoap
08-21-2010, 04:23 AM
Congratulations on the flower! So it is potted, right? How do U protect plants during winter, it looks to me that we have simillar climate?

Jack Daw
08-21-2010, 05:35 AM
Beautiful. I hope the fruit ripens before the first frosts. Good luck!

MediaHound
08-21-2010, 10:32 AM
Congrats!

Richard
08-21-2010, 12:26 PM
... I think this is one of the most recommendable edible banana speecies, although I do not know how the fruits taste and if this is prolific or not. Any comments on these points are welcome.

Well, I think you are going to experience the taste first hand!

The Musa 'California Gold' is a hybrid, not a species. Grown in the ground here in San Diego CA, they have a pseudostem height of about 6 feet (180 cm) when they bloom and a base width of about 10 inches (25 cm).

asacomm
08-21-2010, 05:39 PM
Hi Ante,

Thanks for your comment.
My zone seems to be 9B and so my overwintering method could be of use
for you too.
They were overwintered under the eaves both with pstems protected with
haymats to increase overwintering possibility and with no protections for
testing purpose.
The both ways were good and all could survive although there were cold
spells of minus 3d.C or so several times in the past winter.

Richard
08-21-2010, 06:14 PM
I am growing the following fruiting hybrids in a raised bed:
Dwarf Brazilian
Dwarf Namwah
Misi Luki
African Rhinohorn
Sweetheart
Dwarf Orinoco

I am in USDA hardiness zone 10a/9b. The last two winters have been cool but not cold. About a dozen times the temperature dipped down to 0d.C for just an hour or two before sunrise. All the above continued to grow with no protection and insignificant damage.