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View Full Version : If you have time...I need help picking the perfect banana variety for me!


woodcricket
05-05-2013, 07:41 PM
I am in the Tennessee Valley, zone 7a.

Absolutely Required:
1. Sweet, excellent for fresh eating
2. Will fruit outdoors in zone 7a. (Digging up for winter or minimal protection are options if necessary.)

Would be nice:
3. Dwarf
4. No winter protection needed in zone 7a (If there is a variety that hardy I'd like to know!)

shima
05-05-2013, 07:55 PM
I never grew it but i think that dwarf Orinoco would be a good choice for your zone and needs.

sunfish
05-05-2013, 08:08 PM
Musa Dwarf Orinoco - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_Dwarf_Orinoco)

woodcricket
05-05-2013, 08:57 PM
Nice! Will it ripen in time? I've read that it has to be really good and ripe before you can eat it fresh.
What kind of winter protection will it need, if any? If it needs protection, I'd just as soon go with a better tasting one I have to dig up every year.
And how about California Gold? I emailed a member about buying some and he has them available. Are they really more cold tolerant than Dwarf Orinoco?

Dalmatiansoap
05-06-2013, 03:28 AM
U cant grow any variety in zone 7 without protection.

Abnshrek
05-06-2013, 07:15 AM
What kind of winter protection will it need, if any? If it needs protection, I'd just as soon go with a better tasting one I have to dig up every year.
Best chance of that would be to put a Dwarf Variety in a pot and keep it barely going over winter.
And how about California Gold? I emailed a member about buying some and he has them available. Are they really more cold tolerant than Dwarf Orinoco?
With the same level of protection in my area & my level of cold CG came out on top. :^)

hydroid
05-06-2013, 07:50 AM
It will be tough in your growing zone. Maybe Raja Puri or Orinoco if they can be protected from the cold. Bananas are generally a tropical plant and require year round warm weather to fruit. That's why we are so proud when we get fruit in the sub-tropical areas.
I know Sandy has had good luck with a green house.
Bo

woodcricket
05-06-2013, 08:34 AM
Thanks everyone! Sadly, a greenhouse or a pot indoors are not an option. We don't have any extra room or sunny windows.

So let me get this straight. The cold-hardiest varieties are Cal. Gold, Dwarf Orinoco, and Raja Puri, but if I want even them to fruit, I need to give the pseudostem winter protection. Correct?

What about digging and storing? Are there any varieties that do well with that? We generally have about 4-5 months of winter here. Are there any varieties that will fruit after being dormant for that long?

I want to try a Dwarf Brazilian too, but only if I can make it work. :0494:
Thanks for all your help!

sunfish
05-06-2013, 02:40 PM
Thanks everyone! Sadly, a greenhouse or a pot indoors are not an option. We don't have any extra room or sunny windows.

So let me get this straight. The cold-hardiest varieties are Cal. Gold, Dwarf Orinoco, and Raja Puri, but if I want even them to fruit, I need to give the pseudostem winter protection. Correct?

What about digging and storing? Are there any varieties that do well with that? We generally have about 4-5 months of winter here. Are there any varieties that will fruit after being dormant for that long?

I want to try a Dwarf Brazilian too, but only if I can make it work. :0494:
Thanks for all your help!

Bump

Abnshrek
05-06-2013, 04:33 PM
Depends on your level of cold. You already said the duration.. Like Bo said Orinoco a low maint choice, and is bullet proof in my area w/o protection if its established (6' or more of p-stem). I would say this is your best bet, w/ lowest input cost. I think any other type will have to be heat-taped, frost clothed & wrapped in plastic. I don't know how much electric is up there, but for me its pretty reasonable. :^)

Duckfood
05-06-2013, 09:33 PM
I am in Knoxville... I currently have 4 different species growing, 1 species struggling (another reason to not order from Oasis), plus my ornamentals...

woodcricket
05-06-2013, 10:02 PM
That's great! How do you protect them in the winter? Do they fruit?

Duckfood
05-06-2013, 10:10 PM
I bring them inside for the winter... I doubt that they'll ever fruit, unless I buy a new place that has a place that I can properly plant them... Even then, it wouldn't be easy... Not impossible, but not easy...