View Full Version : Best chances for UK nanas
SteveW
02-04-2008, 03:09 PM
Hi everyone,
What type of banana would give me the best chances of producing edible fruit here in the UK?
I've got a few edibles allready,D.brazilian,ice cream,manzano,orinoco and d.cavendish,but would like a few more to try.Any ideas bearing in mind I'm in UK?so most types aren't easily available
And has anyone here in Uk managed to get fruit?and do you have any pics?
Thanks:)
51st state
02-04-2008, 03:31 PM
Hi Steve
I'm betting on my Helens Hybrids (Sikki x Chini Champa)
though I am surprised just how well the dwarf brazilian and dwarf orinoco are fairing this winter.
If you'll widen your definition of edible to plantains, then certain Balbisiana's might do the job.
we'll all have to deal with the seeds though. unless anyone has got any ideas on a hardy seedless naner
Kev
Mark Hall
02-04-2008, 03:33 PM
Steve I am pinning my hopes on a Rajapuri. I got the D Cavs to flower and fruit where I used to work but that don't count as they were not mine:cool:
SteveW
02-04-2008, 03:59 PM
I'd completely forgotten about HH
By far the quickest growing plant I had last year,it went from a smallish plant to this in one season:D
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x79/stevenkez/DSC00085-1.jpg
Are yours outside Kev?
I chickened out about leaving mine outside this year,but in hindsight maybe I should've tried it.
SteveW
02-04-2008, 04:05 PM
Variegated or non-variegated Mark?
Did you eat any of the cavendish fruit?
51st state
02-04-2008, 04:39 PM
I'd completely forgotten about HH
By far the quickest growing plant I had last year,it went from a smallish plant to this in one season:D
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x79/stevenkez/DSC00085-1.jpg
Are yours outside Kev?
I chickened out about leaving mine outside this year,but in hindsight maybe I should've tried it.
No, I'm afraid I bottled it, they're in the poly tunnel. If I can get a few pups as insurance I'll give it a go next winter.
SteveW
02-04-2008, 05:12 PM
Same as.lol
Theres a few pups on mine which I'm going to take off come springtime.So I'll definately be trying one outside come next winter.
asacomm
02-04-2008, 06:15 PM
Hello UK friends,
Besides what you all mentioned, Cardaba could be a candidate, as in my place
of zone 9 this species seems to be hardier than the all you listed.
Moreover it is very delicious when fully ripe.
Mark Hall
02-04-2008, 06:34 PM
The Variegated one is the bigger of the two so who knows. My HH has rotted outside this winter and I am waiting to see if it will re sprout in the spring.
Thats one quick banana steve in one season. was it a seed raised one or just a plant you bought ?
We cant get Cardaba or SABa over here yet and they are two that I want
SteveW
02-05-2008, 12:48 AM
It came from Mulu in May,the big bag of manure must've helped it along some,lol
Thanks Asacomm,as Mark said we can't easily get these over here.What we need is someone to send a few pups our way:)
Tropicallvr
02-05-2008, 12:55 PM
Musa 'Belle' seemed to out preform others that I had on the cool northern Caliornia coast. The temps basically never get up to 80F in the summer so it is a really cool summer climate(lot of fog), possibly similar to the UK rainy summers.
SteveW
02-05-2008, 03:17 PM
Thanks Kyle sounds like a really good candidate.
What kind of temperatures/conditions do you get there in winter?
Tropicallvr
02-05-2008, 03:31 PM
In Eureka CA(270 miles north of SF) it's pretty warm with the oceans influence, Ensetes get frozen back leaves, but never ever die. I think it's a zone 9b to 9a, and generally constant cool temps year round. Washintonia robustas are common, but never look as good as higher heat areas, there are a handful of queen palms, that generally look terrible, but survive. Also tree ferns are every where, and it's a great climate for them. It would probably also be a great area for high elevation palms, and high elevation heliconias, but heat loving plants don't do well.
I wonder if we have any San Francisco members here that have any info. There are some SF banana growers on the "Cloud Forest Cafe", that have some experience.
Lodewijkp
02-05-2008, 03:42 PM
Don't under rate washingtonia's , cold tolerance is better at some individuals.
my washingtonia robusta survived -7 wet frost without protection and lost only 4 leaves ( in the netherlands most plants wil die of this kind of misty wet frost) while the most sabals and brahea died.
washingtonia's are weird palms and often look dead but wil grow back in spring, i won't call all washingtonia's hardy but they sure are stubborn
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