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Botanical_Bryce
12-26-2015, 11:24 PM
Cavendish are poor performers here yet amazing growers and multipliers. When I moved here I had a few now about 30. At this rate I should have about 200 by summer. Are they sellable? Maybe someone could start a plantation in south Florida? I am only growing them for the sake of growing them. I want to move in to the ones that fruit in my area and next season will have no need for them. Suggestions appreciated.

Mark Dragt
12-27-2015, 12:44 PM
If they are not working out for you,give them away. Promote the passion of growing bananas. If you sell them and they don't workout, or die for the next guy or gal, they might want their money back. Put a add on Craigslist,local pickup only, and give them away. Possibly someone will respond to your add that has a more favorable plant for your area, and they will want to trade or give you plants. Just a thought. Good luck!
:woohoonaner:

cincinnana
12-27-2015, 01:41 PM
Cavendish is usually a good producer in your zone for reliable fruit. It is a shame they are not doing well for you.
For some local proven varieties and some not so common plants do check out craigslist.....average cost per plant is 10-15 US dollars.
Plus as an added bonus a gardener is usually willing to share something else in the garden if you ask.

I have found a few gems on east coast Florida Craigslists including variegates .

Give this thread time and Florida Members will chime on in and maybe they will sell you some extra plants. There are a few members nearby.

.heartland FL farm & garden "banana plants" - craigslist (http://cfl.craigslist.org/search/gra?search_distance_type=mi&query=banana+plants)

cincinnana
12-27-2015, 06:38 PM
Cavendish die to the ground when temps hit in the 20's. I have never seen them fruit here. Everybody chops the stinky mass to the ground. Other varieties the stalks survive and the tips die but they still produce. When a cavendish does fruit here it freezes leaving a big smelly mass.


And so will every plant you plant... whether it be a so called SHORT CYCLE plant which you will see on this forum. A short cycle plant will produce a flower in about 12 months......and another 4 or 5 months for edible fruit.

I have had all these so called Short cycle plants for a few years.......in my zone to test them for the Forums which have been supplied to me from members.

You are fishing!!!!

I do not understand your freeze challenge..... most plants north of you fruit.
And all plants fruit south of you fruit also!!.

The question is what is you doing wrong to make this plant not fruit or flower in your area.


The plant in question fruits like crazy in your area. ..... north south ,east and west

Please post a few photos of your plants .....

chris_zx2
12-28-2015, 11:38 AM
I noticed the DC will pup when stressed. Maybe that's why you're getting so many pups? Most people think it is puppies due to good conditions, which I'm sure happens as well, but perhaps yours are the opposite and that's why you're not getting fruit?

Botanical_Bryce
12-28-2015, 12:36 PM
That sounds valid but I don't think it is the case. S ome I encourage pups for propagation and others i keep single. My issue is not only lack of fruit but side by side do not perform as well as other varieties. When days get short they yellow while others remain green. My neighbors cavendish look far worse than mine. I have 5 kinds and the cavendish i have lost interest. Seems like someone could make a plantation with them. I am going to keep my better performers and going to test 10 other varieties. At that point the cavendish may end up in the compost. I would love them to go to a needy south Florida homesteader. 20 miles east of me cavendish would probably perform and fruit better.

Botanical_Bryce
12-28-2015, 12:39 PM
People simply do not grow cavendish in my area unprotected. Simple variants in topography can create differences by as much as 15 degrees.

chris_zx2
12-28-2015, 12:57 PM
Your right about the variance. I'm sure someone will take them. I would if I was closer! Maybe try posting in the classifieds as free for pickup.

Mark Dragt
12-28-2015, 01:58 PM
People simply do not grow cavendish in my area unprotected. Simple variants in topography can create differences by as much as 15 degrees.

15 degrees? Wow! I think you will find that if you do get a Veinte Cohol it also will have to be protected. I haven't noticed any cold tolerance with mine. Looks to be the same as my Dwarf Cavendish. Just my 2.

Off topic, what are you using for fertilizer?
:nanadrink:

Botanical_Bryce
12-28-2015, 02:22 PM
I have special spots picked out for every variety I get. The vientes will get the warmest point between my mobile and forest canopy. Some will go near my pond. Since I moved to this new place we have had record warm winters so I have yet to see how cold it will get and what parts of the property are warmest. The place I just came from 20 miles away got soooo cold and I only grew my cavendish there. My fertilizers
Lesco palm and tropical slow release with micronutrients 8 10 10

Humic shale

Biochar

Kelp

Compost

Mulch

Mykos

Bone meal

Phosphate dust

Botanical_Bryce
12-28-2015, 02:28 PM
Last winter I had the best looking banana plants in the neighborhood. I also have a warm porch for potting vientes. I have no desire to so that with cavendish. Orinocos stay green even after light freeze. My salt marsh banana performs similar to the orinoco but gets bigger. My tiny cavendishes fare reasonable but take up no space so need for those to go. I surely will keep at least one cavendish.

Mark Dragt
12-28-2015, 10:22 PM
Last year I also had the best looking banana plants. Of course I am the only one in the neighborhood that is growing bananas. I fertilized with bunny berries and bunny berry tea. Plants love it.
:nanadrink:

Botanical_Bryce
12-28-2015, 10:29 PM
I wish for that stuff. My bunny got sick and died.

Mark Dragt
12-28-2015, 10:39 PM
My daughter has 6 of them. Lots and lots of bunny berries. Plus the rabbits are good recyclers. Throw in a banana leaf, then scoop up some berries. It seams that you can't overdue the berries. Plants keep asking for more.
:nanadrink:

Botanical_Bryce
12-28-2015, 10:43 PM
Rabbitt poo can be planted in. Not hot at all. My compost is loaded with soldier flies and they love chicken poo. Makes a fine tea for plants.

Botanical_Bryce
12-28-2015, 10:43 PM
Only one chicken.

Mark Dragt
12-28-2015, 11:56 PM
Only one chicken.

I have 14 of them.
:nanadrink:

hydroid
12-29-2015, 01:14 AM
I'm in a similar zone as you here along the Gulf Coast and I 've never had luck with DC. Just too cold for them. My best success has been with Dwarf Namwah and Raja Puri. I also winterize and this helps for fruit

Mark Dragt
12-29-2015, 12:19 PM
I'm in a similar zone as you here along the Gulf Coast and I 've never had luck with DC. Just too cold for them. My best success has been with Dwarf Namwah and Raja Puri. I also winterize and this helps for fruit

Thanks for that post. I have a Namwah that I bought as a Blue Java. Don't know if it's dwarf or not. Raja Puri I just found out about. I may have found a local source for one. Are you getting fruit or just great looking plants?

hydroid
12-29-2015, 01:01 PM
You probably have a tall Namwah. It takes a bit more to winterize the taller ones. Dwarf Namwah and Raja Puri are short enough I can frame the outside of the plant with plastic fencing and drop grass clippings inside the fencing and wrap with plastic around outside. This makes a good barrier of protection during the hard part of winter. The decaying grass clippings form a heat. This way you have a good start in the spring and the plant is not spending most of the summer to get tall enough to bloom. I also blend my own Fertilizer. I work at it but yes I do get fruit.

Botanical_Bryce
12-29-2015, 02:47 PM
I am always taking notes.

Mark Dragt
12-29-2015, 06:40 PM
I am always taking notes.

Lots of good stuff to take note of. Lots of c??p to ignore. Doesn't take long to tell one from the other. I really think you have most of it figured out.
:nanadrink:

Botanical_Bryce
12-29-2015, 07:22 PM
You mean like the cavendish growers all around me? I still laugh at that. I have a pretty good understanding in general of nature and bio systems but growing bananas is new to me. I have been looking for bananas that flower or fruit sooner than 2 or 5 years. I never realized my choices were so many and so many with wonderful experiences. Not to mention the offers i have been getting. I won't be a able to sleep I am so happy. Maybe sounds simple minded but this brings me great joy.

Mark Dragt
12-29-2015, 08:58 PM
Yes there are a lot of banana plants that bloom sooner than 2-5 years. Some will have ripe fruit in less than 2 years. A lot of those growing durations are based on growing them in the best conditions. So for me or you,when the weather gets cold, the plant stops growing and picks up again when it warms up again. Thus adding time to the durations. The real trick for me would be getting the plant to bloom early enough to have the fruit ripen before it gets cold. 1st step, I need it to bloom. This year I hope.
:nanadrink:

Botanical_Bryce
12-29-2015, 09:22 PM
We can have so many variables here. Warm winters and bitter winters. If needed i will have to use my hot back porch

Mark Dragt
12-29-2015, 09:41 PM
Right on.
:nanadrink:

Botanical_Bryce
12-29-2015, 10:01 PM
After much deep thought on it I will keep propagati g my cavendish and next season I will find a needy situation and deliver them. I have compiled a list of possibilities and will get them on friday.

Kat2
12-29-2015, 10:37 PM
After much deep thought on it I will keep propagati g my cavendish and next season I will find a needy situation and deliver them. I have compiled a list of possibilities and will get them on friday.If you're into doing charitable work, I would suggest that you pot them up and sell them for less than the box stores do; use CL to do so. Use the proceeds to pay it forward.

I worked with an established food delivery organization in Jacksonville before I moved; I was in the midst of helping to set up "5 pots" to a household that were planted with food stuffs and given to the recipients. It was working even there with a tarp 3 or 4 nights (someone could take them inside); I had peppers and tomatoes in January! Teach a man to fish was the pastor's (director's) vision. I hope they kept going.

Botanical_Bryce
12-29-2015, 11:41 PM
I would rather sell them but logistics would not allow and I would feel dishonest if they think they will get bananas here. If I sell I want to sell things honest and with quality.