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View Full Version : Florida Hill strikes again!


Jamie p
06-18-2015, 11:45 AM
Well, it's official! My Ice Cream is actually a Namwah, and my gros michel us beginning to look a lot like my Gran Nain if in fact that is what it is as well! I live in Florida hill's land of the mystery bananas. I will learn to pay more attention to posts on here next time. I am desperately seeking a Gros Michel and I will not give up on my quest.

JP
06-18-2015, 12:19 PM
At least namwah is good... but I understand your frustration.

CTPalm
06-18-2015, 06:10 PM
I don't know how they stay in business!

Jamie p
06-18-2015, 06:27 PM
So far the only thing I'm sure of is they are banana plants. Lol I will say this. The plants I got from Wellspring are what they say they are if that helps anyone.

robguz24
06-18-2015, 06:36 PM
Consider it a blessing in disguise. Namwah is a much better tasting and more productive banana.

hydroid
06-18-2015, 07:01 PM
+1 what Rob said, Namwah is a notch above.

blownz281
06-18-2015, 07:13 PM
They stay in business because people keep buying from them.

Kat2
06-18-2015, 08:07 PM
They stay in business because people keep buying from them.So can I trust Wellspring?

Jamie p
06-18-2015, 09:17 PM
Thanks guys. I don't know a lot about Namwah but from what you say maybe I'll take it as a blessing in disguise. As far as wellspring I have had good luck ,plants are small like fl hill but at least they are what they say they are.

Snarkie
06-20-2015, 07:19 AM
I understand your consternation. You expected ice cream and got sherbet. In your case it may be a good thing, but how can you trust a company that doesn't even know what it is selling?!

If I buy a Honda Shadow, I don't want a Vespa shipped to me instead!

hydroid
06-20-2015, 08:03 AM
Most places are gonna have the Ice Cream mis-labeled as Namwah. It's how I got my first Namwah at a local Nursery, (no regrets) you can do a search on the forum here. Not defending the Nursery and I understand that you should be able to order with confidence. But from what I'm seeing, I don't think I would buy from those folks with the feedback I see here. But Ice Cream/Namwah is the exception to the rule and requires you to do your homework. There are several members here who can probably hook you up with the "Real Blue Java" if you check around.

pitangadiego
06-20-2015, 05:43 PM
As far as I can tell, every "ice Cream" at Home Depot and several other places is really a Tall Namwah. Bought several from various places and had the same results. Finally found the real deal from the friend of a friend. Not a bad thing. They have a lot more fruit and much sweeter.

Jamie p
06-20-2015, 07:48 PM
I wonder if that mistake goes all the way back to agri starts or wherever they come from?

crazy banana
06-20-2015, 08:07 PM
I wonder if that mistake goes all the way back to agri starts or wherever they come from?

Maybe in case of the Ice Cream / Namwah mix-up but not if you get 4 Orinoco instead of your order Saba, Namwah, Ice Cream and Dwarf Cavendish. That is simply negligence....
Agri Starts should have corrected the Namwah/Ice Cream mistake years ago. Many people with the "real deal" including myself have offered them the real one, but they have also refused to take action.
IMO that is not acceptable. If I want to order a Namwah, I should be able to get it from a reputable nursery. If I order an Ice Cream, I should get just that. This mistake (not just by Florida Hill or Agri Starts) has been tolerated and even excused (like some of the previous posts) way too long, but if there is no plaintiff there is no defendant.

Going Bananas
06-21-2015, 01:46 AM
Hello gang!
I thought I would try practicing
posting pics of my recent orders
last May 29, 2015 from FHN...

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58116 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58119&ppuser=20832)
FHN Ice BJ Cream

Banana Gallery - FHN ice BJ cream (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58119&cat=500&ppuser=20832)
FHN Ice BJ Cream same as above

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58117 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58115&ppuser=20832)
FHN Brazilian supposedly with red splotches/stains on the leaves.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58118&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58118&ppuser=20832)
FHN Manzano

I also ordered the Mona Lisa which I gave to my brother.
The ML was the first to open a new leaf
and seems to be the fastest grower
and quick to aclimatize.
The Ice Cream(I hope?) seems to be a close second.

What do you guys think?
Whats the verdict from the experts on here?
You guys get the same plants from those who ordered recently?

If I had to do it over...even if these were real or not,
I really would prefer to purchase the corm or the pup.
It would give you a head start on the growing cycle of the plant.

Cheers!

Going Bananas
06-21-2015, 02:00 AM
Dog gonit!
I have to reread the instructions
on posting the pics.

BTW Happy PUPS Day
to all the fathers in this site!

Snarkie
06-21-2015, 12:10 PM
I also ordered the Mona Lisa which I gave to my brother.
Did they send you a Rembrandt instead?

Lau
06-21-2015, 12:34 PM
Dog gonit!
I have to reread the instructions
on posting the pics.

BTW Happy PUPS Day
to all the fathers in this site!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58117 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58115&limit=recent)

Your pictures are in the gallery so that's good. When you find the picture you want to put in the post you need to copy the first line under the photo and paste. It's a little harder with the copy and paste from iphone. I always look at the preview before I submitt to make sure everything gets copied. Only having my iPhone I'm not sure what it looks like. I hope that was helpful.

Susan

Kat2
06-21-2015, 12:38 PM
I'm not an attorney nor have I ever purchased from FH and won't so I don't have a dog in this fight but, if it can be proven that they are repeatedly selling merchandise that is not as advertised, they are breaking a few laws I suspect. Sure, everyone makes occasional mistakes; a good merchant generally attempts, apologetically, to remedy these few errors. They do not repeatedly refuse to acknowledge such and insinuate that the customer is wrong.

What to do? You can report them to Garden Watchdog and state your issues on every garden forum or you, the injured customer, can pursue legal remedies. Gardeners are, as a group, very forgiving but there comes a time when one takes a stand if only to protect his fellow dirty fingered friends.

This might be a good place to put in a plug for Simmons Plant Farm. After wanting to order from them for over 20 years, I finally have my very own dirt so I purchased berry plants. 5 each (minimum) of several varieties. I'm fighting a new climate and unprepared planting areas (I'm growing in pots for now) so not every bare root "took"; I anticipated that figuring that as long as I got at least 1 of each at their prices I'd be happy. Sadly 2 groups of 5 did absolutely nothing. Fully aware that I was beyond the 10 day warranty, I sent an e-mail to let them know. I didn't expect a reply and certainly not an offer to replace next year or refund my money. I haven't decided what to do; I wanted the plants now and the lack of growth may partially be my fault. They're on my good vendor list for sure.

Jamie p
06-21-2015, 12:52 PM
I'm wondering if Florida hill is affiliated with TY TY in Georgia . Kinda sounds like one of there many aliases . Just a thought I guess.

Snarkie
06-21-2015, 02:53 PM
What to do? You can report them to Garden Watchdog and state your issues on every garden forum or you, the injured customer, can pursue legal remedies. Gardeners are, as a group, very forgiving but there comes a time when one takes a stand if only to protect his fellow dirty fingered friends.And if that doesn't work, don't take the law into your own hands. Take them to court; the People's Food Court!

Kat2
06-21-2015, 03:50 PM
And if that doesn't work, don't take the law into your own hands. Take them to court; the People's Food Court!I'm serious. Is there a disclaimer on FH's site that says they don't guarantee that what you buy is what you'll get? If not, the UCC could handle that. (Perhaps Article 2?) I'm not in the habit of putting businesses out of business; I live and let live though I do complain and stop spending my money with them. Again, I'm not a lawyer but something is very wrong with this picture; their glib practice of sending wrong varieties violates my concept of fair play.

crazy banana
06-21-2015, 04:07 PM
I'm wondering if Florida hill is affiliated with TY TY in Georgia . Kinda sounds like one of there many aliases . Just a thought I guess.

There is usually more than just "one bad apple" out there....

siege2050
06-21-2015, 05:00 PM
FH makes it appear they are the TC growers but after looking at their selection they either are getting them from Agristarts, or AG3, or all of the above. The cannas are almost surely AG3. I am wondering if the mix up is from FH, or the TC suppliers, since Agristarts sells Namwah as Icecream (big mix up) it might not just be FH, and the TC suppliers might be doing the mix ups as well. Not defending FH, I dont have enough experience with them to know, but there seems to be a lot of TC mix ups from more than one seller out there. I would say the source is suspect. On another note, does anybody know why they dont start TCing the actual Blue Java?

Kat2
06-21-2015, 05:30 PM
FH makes it appear they are the TC growers but after looking at their selection they either are getting them from Agristarts, or AG3, or all of the above. The cannas are almost surely AG3. I am wondering if the mix up is from FH, or the TC suppliers, since Agristarts sells Namwah as Icecream (big mix up) it might not just be FH, and the TC suppliers might be doing the mix ups as well. Not defending FH, I dont have enough experience with them to know, but there seems to be a lot of TC mix ups from more than one supplier out there. I would say the source is suspect.I suspect you're right to some extent though how Wellspring gets high marks using the same sources, presumptively, baffles me.

Assume it is the "maker's" sloppiness. Since FH and other nurseries are acting as the middleman consumers have no recourse against the TC supplier--not directly. Voting with your pocketbook and reporting the issue to authorities is the only way to force accountability by both parties.

Or you can just settle for growing Dwarf Cavendish--even I know what they look like before fruiting. (Yep, just for grins I bought one for my new house.)

siege2050
06-21-2015, 05:35 PM
I would like to know who everyone's TC supplier is, there are also others like Dragon Agro that sells quite a few types at certain times of the year. If its a real obvious mistake like sending zebrina for a fruiter its gotta be the middle man, by now they should be familiar with more obvious types. I have talked to a couple of the TC suppliers myself and it would be quite easy to start buying and selling them just like FH and wellspring if a person had the funds to invest at the beginning for 100+ dollar trays. Scary though thinking they might send me the wrong cultivars lol.

Snarkie
06-21-2015, 06:07 PM
I'm serious. Is there a disclaimer on FH's site that says they don't guarantee that what you buy is what you'll get? If not, the UCC could handle that. (Perhaps Article 2?) I'm not in the habit of putting businesses out of business; I live and let live though I do complain and stop spending my money with them. Again, I'm not a lawyer but something is very wrong with this picture; their glib practice of sending wrong varieties violates my concept of fair play.Call the Florida State Attorney Generals Office. Tell them of the practice and inquire as to how you should go about filing a formal complaint. They'll be more than glad to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. IDK if the number is still good or not, but at least it used to be: 850-487-1963.

Kat2
06-21-2015, 06:16 PM
Call the Florida State Attorney Generals Office. Tell them of the practice and inquire as to how you should go about filing a formal complaint. They'll be more than glad to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. IDK if the number is still good or not, but at least it used to be: 850-487-1963.Good advice for those affected; I haven't been.

I know a few members here deal with TC companies. Years before I joined the forum there was a proposed group buy from AgriStarts; I wonder if that happened and whether the plants purchased were true to name.

Jamie p
06-22-2015, 02:03 AM
You can be sure I will not purchase from them again. I'll stick with Ted from green Earth or going bananas .well, I'm sure there are good honest people here on the forum too who are will to sell a few pups here and there .

jeffaroo
06-27-2015, 12:23 PM
Y'all got it all wrong. This is the way I see it.
There is a small room about the size of a broom closet with a small opening on each side of the walls. With a conveyer belt zipping by. Now a monkey named Skippy sits at a barstool smoking a cigar and listining to speed metal on his headphones. His job is to put a label on each plant as it shoots by on the conveyor belt. He knows he will get in trouble if he misses one, so he slaps any ole sticker on if he gets confused

JP
06-27-2015, 12:27 PM
Y'all got it all wrong. This is the way I see it.
There is a small room about the size of a broom closet with a small opening on each side of the walls. With a conveyer belt zipping by. Now a monkey named Skippy sits at a barstool smoking a cigar and listining to speed metal on his headphones. His job is to put a label on each plant as it shoots by on the conveyor belt. He knows he will get in trouble if he misses one, so he slaps any ole sticker on if he gets confused

Now, is Skippy a bright little monkey or is he a bit slow mentally speaking? That could explain a lot! Lol!

Snarkie
06-27-2015, 01:05 PM
Now, if you change the monkey named Skippy to a cat named George, you have my producer pegged.

Lau
06-28-2015, 07:54 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58196 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=54029)

I got both of these plants ARH from FH different years. Does anyone have a photo of a young ARH pup? You take your chances with every purchase. :ha:

Grannycore
06-28-2015, 11:34 AM
You can be sure I will not purchase from them again. I'll stick with Ted from green Earth or going bananas .well, I'm sure there are good honest people here on the forum too who are will to sell a few pups here and there .

I love the plants I got from green earth because they are quality from the price - but I'm already discovering the Cali Gold is not that, and is probably not even an Orinoco - it's growing like dwarf cavendish. We shall see in time how the Goldfinger and Manzano I ordered from Green Earth turn out.

siege2050
06-28-2015, 11:40 AM
I wish Going Bananas would take online orders, I have never ordered from them for just that reason. I am not a patient person, I dont want to wait forever to get what I order. Same way with wellspring, I can order something from someone else and it takes 3 days to get here, I can order from wellspring and its about 2 weeks or more.

Snarkie
06-28-2015, 12:00 PM
I love the plants I got from green earth because they are quality from the price - but I'm already discovering the Cali Gold is not that, and is probably not even an Orinoco - it's growing like dwarf cavendish. We shall see in time how the Goldfinger and Manzano I ordered from Green Earth turn out.You bring up an interesting point. One my Musa basjoos seems a little on the small side. Initially, I assumed it was because of the number of pups it put out, but maybe it's something else? It sure looks like MB though. I was pleased as punch with my order though. Only took 3 days and that was over New Years. They actually arrived on January 2.

tanfenton
06-28-2015, 01:44 PM
If you were to call ahead on a Friday to verify their availability of the plants that you desired and mailed a money order the following day, I find it entirely likely that you would have your plants in only eight or nine days, depending on where you are. When I've gotten them bank checks by a Monday, I've had TCs as soon as that Saturday, FYI. YMMV, but they seem to make a cash-only business run about as well as it possibly can in this day and age.

N.

I wish Going Bananas would take online orders, I have never ordered from them for just that reason. I am not a patient person, I dont want to wait forever to get what I order. Same way with wellspring, I can order something from someone else and it takes 3 days to get here, I can order from wellspring and its about 2 weeks or more.

crazy banana
06-28-2015, 06:44 PM
I wish Going Bananas would take online orders, I have never ordered from them for just that reason. I am not a patient person, I dont want to wait forever to get what I order. Same way with wellspring, I can order something from someone else and it takes 3 days to get here, I can order from wellspring and its about 2 weeks or more.

I have ordered from Wellsprings a few times now and received my orders in just three days coast to coast.They were willing to work with me on a special order for a friend as well. I can recommend them.

Going Bananas
06-29-2015, 05:11 PM
Heres an updated pic of the photos of post#15

FHN iceBJcream with an oval/tear drop shaped unfurled leaf with sun burn near the right edge.
Everyones been saying that the FHN version of ice cream is more likely a namwah.
I was given a real namwah and the petioles are closed on the real ones.
These fakeys have open petioles.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58200 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58199&ppuser=20832)

FHN manzano with its vertical cigar shaped just unfurled new leaf.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58199&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58199&ppuser=20832)

FHN brazilian with its pronounced transverse ridges on the leaf.
The leaf is folded in half at the midrib.
Not like the previous two that has the wide open leaf.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58201&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58201&ppuser=20832)

What do you think?
Real Florida or Fakey Hill Nursery?

Going Bananas
07-01-2015, 11:56 PM
Heres an updated pic of the photos of post#15

FHN iceBJcream with an oval/tear drop shaped unfurled leaf with sun burn near the right edge.
Everyones been saying that the FHN version of ice cream is more likely a namwah.
I was given a real namwah and the petioles are closed on the real ones.
These fakeys have open petioles.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58200 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58199&ppuser=20832)

FHN manzano with its vertical cigar shaped just unfurled new leaf.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58199&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58199&ppuser=20832)

FHN brazilian with its pronounced transverse ridges on the leaf.
The leaf is folded in half at the midrib.
Not like the previous two that has the wide open leaf.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58201&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58201&ppuser=20832)

What do you think?
Real Florida or Fakey Hill Nursery?

In Addendum...
This is what I received from FHN as MonaLisa.
This one probably second to the ice cream
in terms of vigor & speed of growth
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58211 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58210&ppuser=20832)

MonaLisa top view
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58210 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58201&ppuser=20832)

Adendum...Update on the FHN iceBJcream
Another leaf opening July2.
Of the 4, this one is the most vigorous leaf producer(2 leaves/week)
and the leaf looks disporportionately big for
the size of the stout/short trunk.
url=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58212&ppuser=20832]http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58213[/url]

Side view of the trunk
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=58212 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=58211&ppuser=20832)