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View Full Version : What banann will grow fastest-tallest in 9 months?


Tinkerer
09-16-2013, 08:52 AM
An odd request: I planted my first banana this year, a Rajapuri. I was expecting it to grow to 6 or 8 feet, but it is now at 12 feet and still growing. Clearly, I have found a good spot for it, and it seems to like the hot humid Virginia Summers. I have a spot where I could grow a really tall plant, and it would look great. I have been looking at advertisements for Mekong Giant. I would be happy starting it in a pot, and replanting it each spring.

Your ideas?

Thanks, Doug

Abnshrek
09-16-2013, 09:11 AM
Orinoco

Tinkerer
09-16-2013, 09:25 AM
Just to clarify: Even though I posted this in the Cold Hardy Bananas forum, I would consider a banana that didn't survive the winter, and needed to be started from scratch each spring. Of course "cold hardy" would be the best of both worlds.

Doug

Abnshrek
09-16-2013, 09:36 AM
Its one of the easiest banana's to grow.. I don't have to protect it @ all during the winter here.. :^)

Richard
09-16-2013, 07:14 PM
Just to clarify: Even though I posted this in the Cold Hardy Bananas forum, I would consider a banana that didn't survive the winter, and needed to be started from scratch each spring. Of course "cold hardy" would be the best of both worlds.

Doug

my guess is Saba.

venturabananas
09-17-2013, 10:03 AM
"Ice Cream Namwah", the plant usually sold under the name Ice Cream in the mainland US is a very fast grower and very tough.

Abnshrek
09-17-2013, 10:20 AM
IC Namwah is a good grower but I have to put Christmas lights (400 lites) on mine or a heat-tape, and still lost one last year that was established.. If your keeping it outside I'm thinking when its close to freezing its going to need frost cloth and plastic and 800 lites.. (not LED).. Mine grew 15' (from Steve) on the stem, but have adjusted to 7-9' on the stem after taking a winter here. I'm going to plant some 12'er stock and see what comes of that.. :^)

Tinkerer
09-17-2013, 05:31 PM
OK, Nannerhead, help me out. I cant find "12'er stock" in the banana glossery.
Doug

Abnshrek
09-17-2013, 07:01 PM
OK, Nannerhead, help me out. I cant find "12'er stock" in the banana glossery. Doug

It won't be.. It has to do w/ the variance in height of the p-stem when a banana fruits. :^)

Tinkerer
09-18-2013, 08:12 PM
Abnshrek, Thanks for that clarification. I don't think that applies to me, since I am in the land-where-bananas-never-flower.

A related question: How does one measure a banana? Is there an industry standard? When I say my RajaPuri is 12 foot, I mean from the ground to the tip of the highest leaf. Is this right?

Doug

Abnshrek
09-18-2013, 08:27 PM
One can measure a stem, but leaf height is a guestimate @ best unless you have 12' ceilings and your indoor banana is touching the ceiling.. So some refer to overall height and and some to stem height..

sman87
09-19-2013, 08:24 PM
I had pretty good success with the Mekong giants this year I started them from scratch in February as 4 inch plants and today there close to 7 feet tall with big sturdy stems and I had a terrible summer temperature wise too. I can only imagine u can gey them to grow at least 10 or more feet down in Virginia in one season then keep it dormant in a basement and continue next spring.

pushak513
09-20-2013, 12:55 PM
Mekongs are great banana but theres no need to take them in. there as hardy as a bajoo once established. I have 2 in my back yard that over winter just fine in 6B in the ground. I also see the original seed selection plants of these when I go to Brians and there massive and never get dug up. give one a try there great nanners. They have some at my local nursery about 7 ft for 20 bucks.

robert0514
09-22-2013, 01:54 AM
A quick grower could be bordelon, reaching glowering size in 4-6 months after dying to the ground. (I think it's about 14ft)