View Full Version : Best Fruiting Banana for Small Space?
andy17
09-13-2013, 09:06 PM
Hey Everyone,
I would really like to get another variety, but I'm really short on space (needs to be fairly portable). Can anyone recommend a short variety (<6 ft.) that is a pretty reliable fruiter? Thanks!!
caliboy1994
09-14-2013, 12:39 AM
Raja Puri. The wall in the back there is under 6' tall. The flower bud emerged at head height for me, and I am 5'7".
http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t464/musamaniac/Musa/20121117_151934_zps9ed24af8.jpg
Dalmatiansoap
09-14-2013, 02:30 AM
DO? SDC would be to sensitive I guess?
srash
09-14-2013, 12:20 PM
My California Gold is small and has produced 2 years in a row. I just got a flower from a Raja Puri and it is also less than 6 feet tall. Both of these are more cold tolerant.
The Veinte Cohol are small and rapidly ripen, but I have to bring them in, in the winter in order to get bananas.
Worm_Farmer
09-14-2013, 12:51 PM
Lima flowers at 5' - 6' ft EVERY Year!
andy17
09-14-2013, 10:05 PM
Lima flowers at 5' - 6' ft EVERY Year!
That's awesome! I've not heard of that variety what is that kind?
andy17
09-14-2013, 10:16 PM
Thanks everyone --I really appreciate it! How does the flavor and texture of the rajapuri compare to the DO or SDC? I've heard its really good much like Dwarf Brazilian
caliboy1994
09-14-2013, 10:20 PM
Unfortunately there was an unusually cold winter and I didn't get to taste the fruit because of that. But I am expecting more flowers from this mat. I hear that it has a nice sub-acid flavor, and that many enjoy it.
Lemmysports
09-14-2013, 10:46 PM
I know it's kind of boring, but I've had good returns on my dwarf cavendish. Just over a year for the first to flower, than 2 months later the sister shot up a flag leaf. In that time I've moved or given away well over 20 pups. I've got high hopes for a couple of dwarf reds, but I have not heard much praise at my latitude.
Dying to see if my "DC" produces next year. I'm looking at lots of flag leaf, flower and emerging fruit pictures so I won't be too shocked if it does "bloom". I've grown a lot of plants in my life but, quite honestly, this whole banana "fruiting process" looks like an alien has overtaken a pretty plant. Maybe I should have stuck to figs...;)
Lemmysports
09-14-2013, 11:04 PM
Kat2, don't go back to figs! I am new to gardening in general (especially tropicals), but bananas seem so gratifying. Up until my first bunch of fruit I just though they looked nice, but once I got a bloom and a big bunch of bananas I became obsessed. To me, it is less "alien" and more magic!
I will admit however, the dwarf cavendish plants are cool, but I've since become obsessed with the big plants. Than again, I have plenty of space (and grass to get rid of) and it doesn't get too cold here.
I'll probably get sucked into figs again; they're so easy. And I'm trying other things now that I've moved from the arctic north. Seriously, doesn't anybody else think that strange purple thing is a bit creepy when it pops out of that pretty green foliage? guess not...
caliboy1994
09-14-2013, 11:16 PM
For me, their extremely fast growth rate alone is magic.
andy17
09-14-2013, 11:16 PM
I know it's kind of boring, but I've had good returns on my dwarf cavendish. Just over a year for the first to flower, than 2 months later the sister shot up a flag leaf. In that time I've moved or given away well over 20 pups. I've got high hopes for a couple of dwarf reds, but I have not heard much praise at my latitude.
Hey Lemmysports, that's great! Despite its rep, I still think the dwarf cavendish is a classic banana variety. It's good to hear that they flowered in around a year! I currently have one in a 19 gallon pot, but it's been a slow grower. This will be its second year, but it spent a huge chunk of last year indoors and didn't get out of its one gallon pot and outside until two months into this year's growing season. It seems to be finally starting to take off, so I think it was due to poor growing conditions. What height did your plant flower? Also, how did the flavor compare to the ones in the supermarket?
Lemmysports
09-14-2013, 11:25 PM
Andy17, I have probably had more luck than some because I am in a warmer climate, have my plants in the ground, and have fed them heavily with compost. We also had pretty good growing conditions for most of this year.
As for the fruit, it's still hanging from the tree and not ready to be harvested yet. I did try a fruit from a feral mat (which I believe to be orinoco, though I could easily be wrong) and it was quite good, and one fruit from a local nursery's icecream which was also quite tasty. To me, they still tasted like a banana but certainly had some different characteristics... and magic... don't forget the magic.
andy17
09-14-2013, 11:28 PM
For me, their extremely fast growth rate alone is magic.
That's the truth! They're so fun to grow because you can see new growth everyday!
andy17
09-14-2013, 11:38 PM
I'll probably get sucked into figs again; they're so easy. And I'm trying other things now that I've moved from the arctic north. Seriously, doesn't anybody else think that strange purple thing is a bit creepy when it pops out of that pretty green foliage? guess not...
Figs are unique too! I've got a large Brown Turkey and it's really wild how they just appear out of the stems unannounced without any flowers or big show. Especially on mine, because of where it's located, you can't see the figs until they're almost ready to pick--then they seem to pop out of the foliage suddenly :ha: Although something always gets them every time like two weeks before they're ripe, it's just one day, they're gone.
Figs are unique too! I've got a large Brown Turkey and it's really wild how they just appear out of the stems unannounced without any flowers or big show. Especially on mine, because of where it's located, you can't see the figs until they're almost ready to pick--then they seem to pop out of the foliage suddenly :ha: Although something always gets them every time like two weeks before they're ripe, it's just one day, they're gone.You have to net them or the birds/squirrels get them. Learned that lesson.
caliboy1994
09-15-2013, 12:17 AM
That's awesome! I've not heard of that variety what is that kind?
I think he's talking about Datil la Lima. One of those short cycle, dwarf bananas like Veinte Cohol.
venturabananas
09-15-2013, 02:18 AM
I think he's talking about Datil la Lima. One of those short cycle, dwarf bananas like Veinte Cohol.
Yes and no. That's what it should be, a Sucrier subgroup plant, but what is actually getting passed around in the US as "Datil la Lima" is just Rajapuri.
robguz24
09-15-2013, 03:19 AM
Dying to see if my "DC" produces next year. I'm looking at lots of flag leaf, flower and emerging fruit pictures so I won't be too shocked if it does "bloom". I've grown a lot of plants in my life but, quite honestly, this whole banana "fruiting process" looks like an alien has overtaken a pretty plant. Maybe I should have stuck to figs...;)
I still think "Little Shop of Horrors" when I see the huge bud emerging :)
robguz24
09-15-2013, 03:33 AM
Thanks everyone --I really appreciate it! How does the flavor and texture of the rajapuri compare to the DO or SDC? I've heard its really good much like Dwarf Brazilian
I only have Hawaii-grown fruit to compare, but the rajapuri I've had are good, not great, and the Orinoco I'd say are worse. flavor of rajapuri is good to my taste, sort of like a DB, but with a chewy, weird texture like a namwah, but off-putting to me, while I like the similar texture in the namwah. Orinoco has a fluffy texture to me and a somewhat bland taste. They are however, big fruit and impressive, and supposed to be very good cooked. Assuming SDC tastes like DC, it's much like a grocery store cavendish. If you like those, I'm sure you'll like home-grown cavendish.
All are certainly good enough to grow at home and be enjoyable and even with the bananas I like less, I still like having variety.
Lemmysports
09-15-2013, 09:34 AM
Andy17, I forgot to answer your question about how high my DC fruited. Both were around 5' pseudostems, maybe 8' to the top of the tallest leaf.
andy17
09-15-2013, 09:44 AM
I think he's talking about Datil la Lima. One of those short cycle, dwarf bananas like Veinte Cohol.
I was really interested in the Veinte Cohol, but it seems that a lot of members have had mixed results with it. One thing that seems to be pretty sure is that it's great for fruiting regularly if it can survive the winter.
andy17
09-15-2013, 09:51 AM
I only have Hawaii-grown fruit to compare, but the rajapuri I've had are good, not great, and the Orinoco I'd say are worse. flavor of rajapuri is good to my taste, sort of like a DB, but with a chewy, weird texture like a namwah, but off-putting to me, while I like the similar texture in the namwah. Orinoco has a fluffy texture to me and a somewhat bland taste. They are however, big fruit and impressive, and supposed to be very good cooked. Assuming SDC tastes like DC, it's much like a grocery store cavendish. If you like those, I'm sure you'll like home-grown cavendish.
All are certainly good enough to grow at home and be enjoyable and even with the bananas I like less, I still like having variety.
Thanks Rob! This is really helpful! I've probably asked you this before, but what are your favorite varieties and recommendations? I've found a Pisang Ceylon for sale from an ebay user who bought a batch from Agristarts, which I would love to get, but they're a big plant right?
venturabananas
09-15-2013, 11:03 AM
I've found a Pisang Ceylon for sale from an ebay user who bought a batch from Agristarts, which I would love to get, but they're a big plant right?
It's a tall plant: 12-15' of p-stem, up to 20' to the tops of the leaves.
venturabananas
09-15-2013, 11:08 AM
I was really interested in the Veinte Cohol, but it seems that a lot of members have had mixed results with it. One thing that seems to be pretty sure is that it's great for fruiting regularly if it can survive the winter.
My impression is that it really needs tropical-like conditions to do well. So, if you can time it right, Veinte Cohol can do well in SE USA, where summer is hot and humid. But then you need a greenhouse to keep it happy the rest of the year. With my year-round, cool coastal conditions in CA, it grows at a snails pace in summer and nearly dies each winter. And it seems like the jury is still out on flavor. Maybe some of the members who have them fruiting this year will gives us their opinions.
andy17
09-15-2013, 12:25 PM
It's a tall plant: 12-15' of p-stem, up to 20' to the tops of the leaves.
Whew! That's definitely too big for the space that I have, but it definitely a beautiful plant! Do you think the Rajapuri is worth the garden space? Also, is it in the same family as the Brazilians?
venturabananas
09-15-2013, 04:51 PM
Do you think the Rajapuri is worth the garden space? Also, is it in the same family as the Brazilians?
Yes, it is a good plant if you need something small. It is in the same subgroup as the Brazilians (Pome subgroup). It has the advantage of being smaller than Dwarf Brazilian. It has the disadvantage of having fruit with poorer texture than DB, but the flavor is very similar.
Richard
09-15-2013, 06:36 PM
Hey Everyone,
I would really like to get another variety, but I'm really short on space (needs to be fairly portable). Can anyone recommend a short variety (<6 ft.) that is a pretty reliable fruiter? Thanks!!
Buy a 4 foot hat rack and hang banana bunches from the grocery store on it.
andy17
09-15-2013, 06:51 PM
Buy a 4 foot hat rack and hang banana bunches from the grocery store on it.
hahaha! That definitely might be easier! :ha:
robguz24
09-16-2013, 02:24 AM
Thanks Rob! This is really helpful! I've probably asked you this before, but what are your favorite varieties and recommendations? I've found a Pisang Ceylon for sale from an ebay user who bought a batch from Agristarts, which I would love to get, but they're a big plant right?
My favorites for me in my growing conditions.DB, Mysore, and Gros Michel and kind of tide for top 3. Namwah is after that, and some I've tried as "High Noon" Likely SH3640, were also quite delicious. I'm sure any of the Mysore variants like PK are excellent to. I still have many verities, just in my own yard to try for the first time someday.
venturabananas
09-16-2013, 10:55 AM
Regarding favorites based on flavor, as is often said, there's no accounting for taste. For example, I prefer the varieties with a little tartness, whereas when I give one of those to my neighbor, she says they are too sour and doesn't like them at all. She only enjoys bananas that are sweet with no acidity. So Andy, you need to think about what kind of fruit flavors you enjoy. If you don't like a little tartness, you won't enjoy Brazilian, Mysore, and Rajapuri, for example.
andy17
09-16-2013, 04:46 PM
Regarding favorites based on flavor, as is often said, there's no accounting for taste. For example, I prefer the varieties with a little tartness, whereas when I give one of those to my neighbor, she says they are too sour and doesn't like them at all. She only enjoys bananas that are sweet with no acidity. So Andy, you need to think about what kind of fruit flavors you enjoy. If you don't like a little tartness, you won't enjoy Brazilian, Mysore, and Rajapuri, for example.
Thanks Mark, that's a very good point. I haven't tried a whole lot of varieties yet, so I guess I'm still at the stage of figuring out what kinds I like best. The creamy, classic banana kind is definitely a favorite, which I guess would be like a cavendish or Gros Michel? I've also had a tangy, apple like kind that was sold for a short time about 6 years ago that was really good too, maybe Goldfinger? Are there any other sweet/creamy banana varieties other than cavendish? Thanks!
Richard
09-16-2013, 07:09 PM
Hey Everyone,
I would really like to get another variety, but I'm really short on space (needs to be fairly portable). Can anyone recommend a short variety (<6 ft.) that is a pretty reliable fruiter? Thanks!!
When you say "under 6 foot", do you mean the pseudo-stem or the leaves as well?
If you mean the pseudo-stem, my choice would be dwarf Namwah for both taste and production. It will need to be in a 25-gallon pot and in your zone stay indoors from mid-fall to mid-spring. My guess is that it would take 3 years to maturity and fruit.
If you mean the leaves and everything under 6', I'd stick to grocery store bananas.
venturabananas
09-17-2013, 10:25 AM
Are there any other sweet/creamy banana varieties other than cavendish? Thanks!
Yes, lots. With about 1000 varieties of bananas out there, there are lots that would meet that description -- and lots that wouldn't. As a general rule of thumb, with lots of exceptions, the varieties with all A genomes (Musa acuminata), the AA's, AAA's, AAAA's will tend to be sweet and creamy. Examples would be "Baby Bananas" (Sucrier subgroup, AA genome), red bananas (AAA genome), and FHIA-17 (AAAA genome). And there are plenty of bananas with some B in their genome (Musa balbisiana) that would also meet that description, but most of the tart ones have some B in their genome (e.g., Mysore: AAB; Brazilian: AAB; Manzano: AAB; Goldfinger: AAAB).
andy17
09-18-2013, 12:11 AM
When you say "under 6 foot", do you mean the pseudo-stem or the leaves as well?
If you mean the pseudo-stem, my choice would be dwarf Namwah for both taste and production. It will need to be in a 25-gallon pot and in your zone stay indoors from mid-fall to mid-spring. My guess is that it would take 3 years to maturity and fruit.
If you mean the leaves and everything under 6', I'd stick to grocery store bananas.
Thanks Richard, this is really helpful. Yes that's a good question, I forgot to clarify that in the OP. Definitely the pseudostem height. As long as the plant is under 10 ft., it should be good. A 25 gallon pot is totally doable--I think my limit is 30 gallons practically to move in and out. What do you think is the best method to overwinter containerized bananas?
andy17
09-18-2013, 12:19 AM
Yes, lots. With about 1000 varieties of bananas out there, there are lots that would meet that description -- and lots that wouldn't. As a general rule of thumb, with lots of exceptions, the varieties with all A genomes (Musa acuminata), the AA's, AAA's, AAAA's will tend to be sweet and creamy. Examples would be "Baby Bananas" (Sucrier subgroup, AA genome), red bananas (AAA genome), and FHIA-17 (AAAA genome). And there are plenty of bananas with some B in their genome (Musa balbisiana) that would also meet that description, but most of the tart ones have some B in their genome (e.g., Mysore: AAB; Brazilian: AAB; Manzano: AAB; Goldfinger: AAAB).
Thanks Mark, this is really helpful!
caliboy1994
09-18-2013, 12:25 AM
You might not want to try with an AA or AAA in your area unless you plan on bringing it inside though, they hate the cold. If you don't mind a bit of a larger plant with 6 to 8 ft of p-stem, why not try Dwarf Namwah? If you let them ripen enough they are extremely sweet with absolutely no tartness.
Figaro
09-20-2013, 09:32 PM
Figs are unique too! I've got a large Brown Turkey and it's really wild how they just appear out of the stems unannounced without any flowers or big show. Especially on mine, because of where it's located, you can't see the figs until they're almost ready to pick--then they seem to pop out of the foliage suddenly :ha: Although something always gets them every time like two weeks before they're ripe, it's just one day, they're gone.
I grow a number of figs along with the bananas (and several other tropicals). The reason you don't see the flower on the fig tree is that a fig fruit, itself, is actually an inside-out flower.
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