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exovetek
03-01-2016, 10:01 PM
I was shopping around for Mekong Giant and came across a huge inconsistency in prices. Brian Williams (Brian's Botanicals) is selling it in a 4.5" pot for a whopping $55.99, while Florida Hills (not so reputable) and Wellspring Gardens are selling it for $9. The most enticing is the 1 gallon pot from Raintree Nursery for $24.50.

According to Plant Delights Nursery, it originated as a seedling selection by Brian Williams. But according to Brian's site, it is from China. So I'm confused. Is Brian's a different strain or more "genuine" so to speak? Or has he just not caught on to the the fact that is now in mass production (TC)?

Sources:
Musa xishuangbannaensis Mekong Giant PPAF, Banana, Musa Mekong Giant, buy Musa Mekong Giant for sale, buy Banana for sale (http://www.plantdelights.com/Musa-xishuangbannaensis-Mekong-Giant-for-sale/Buy-Mekong-Giant-Hardy-Banana/)
briansbotanicals - Musa 'Mekong Giant' PP24315 (http://briansbotanicals.us/index.php/plant-catalog/bananas-ensete/musa-mekong-giant-pp24315-121-detail)
Bananas - Raintree Nursery (http://www.raintreenursery.com/Mekong-Giant-Banana-Gal-Pot.html)
Musa Mekong Giant Banana tree zones 6-10 Musa Mekong Giant Banana tree [] - $8.99 : Buy Banana Plants & More Tropical Plants For Sale, Florida Hill Nursery (http://www.floridahillnursery.com/banana-tree-plants-c-3/musa-mekong-giant-banana-tree-zones-6-10-p-407)

Botanical_Bryce
03-02-2016, 06:07 AM
I wondered the same things. I since changed my mind and woul rather get Musa ingens which gets bigger.

pushak513
03-02-2016, 11:08 AM
the mekongs brian has at that price are for huge corms id say 10 plus pounds, while the ones from wellspring are tc plants. mekong giant is a seed selection from brian from seed collected in china but started at his nursery.mekong is a good banana introduced by a good friend of mine. hope that clears it up

Botanical_Bryce
03-02-2016, 11:35 AM
If the corms he sells are ten lbs then he may not want to advertise that they are in four and one half inch pots.

pushak513
03-02-2016, 12:18 PM
the website is new and he does not make it himself but i will let him know. i think there were a couple for sale last year around 30ft tall for a couple hundred bucks or somthing.either way its a good banana. care to share where your going to get ingens? i dont even see seed for sale anymore

Botanical_Bryce
03-02-2016, 12:47 PM
Looking for private collectors.

pushak513
03-02-2016, 01:21 PM
good luck to you from what i understand and everything i have read cultivation is almost impossible outside its native area

Botanical_Bryce
03-02-2016, 02:15 PM
Bummer

exovetek
03-02-2016, 03:21 PM
I wondered the same things. I since changed my mind and woul rather get Musa ingens which gets bigger.

Ingens was genetically engineered by InGen, the company that made the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. They will only survive on Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna. :D:2623:

exovetek
03-02-2016, 03:26 PM
If the corms he sells are ten lbs then he may not want to advertise that they are in four and one half inch pots.

Thank you. Exactly what I was thinking. I've ordered from Brian's before. He always sends healthy plant's, but usually small TC starts.

Botanical_Bryce
03-02-2016, 03:31 PM
I like the plants I got from him.

exovetek
03-02-2016, 03:42 PM
I like the plants I got from him.

Me too, it's just that for $56 i'd like to know what I am getting. If it is a 10lb corm, that's an ok deal. I sent him an email inquiry. Ill share the answer when I get a response.

pushak513
03-02-2016, 04:02 PM
yeah there were some larger ones for sale awhile back. havent been in a few weeks. local place has some for 20 i think about 3 ft tall but there so rootbound not sure how i could ship em

exovetek
03-05-2016, 10:45 PM
If the corms he sells are ten lbs then he may not want to advertise that they are in four and one half inch pots.

I emailed him and he updated the site. They are large corms. I placed an order. He usually doesn't ship till spring though, so we'll see what I get.

pushak513
03-05-2016, 10:56 PM
Was pretty sure that was the case..glad you got it cleared up good luck and leave room..they get biiiiiiig

cincinnana
08-09-2017, 06:37 AM
I stopped by Brians Botanicals a few weeks ago near Louisville, Kentucky

The moment I pulled into the parking lot to the moment I left, I was slack jawed.

Local forum member Pushak513 had kept telling me "you gotta go there sometime, you gotta go"

I had stopped to just "run in and pick up a few Mekongs" on the way back home from a fishing trip.

Well, after Brians 40 minute greenhouse/display tour and pulling the plant wagon around a few acres it was needless to say I had left with more than just a few Mekongs.:)

Family operated.

Two thumbs up!

pushak513
08-09-2017, 01:28 PM
Really glad you enjoyed it cincinanna. As embarassing as this is..i have my own personal wagon there lol. Lifes been busy so i havent been down but let me know next time your coming through and stop by my place as well.

exovetek
08-22-2017, 06:25 AM
Be careful with the Mekong. It needs space. I planted mine last summer. It started of slower than the Basjoos this spring but surpassed them by mid summer. Now I have Mekong's popping up everywhere like bamboo. I think Mekong Giant is definitely a keeper here in the pacific northwest so long as it does't end up on the invasive species list. The Basjoos are pupping prolifically as well, but forming tight clumps and not growing as tall and wide as the Mekong. The Orinoco is lagging behind both.

cincinnana
09-12-2017, 07:15 PM
Be careful with the Mekong. It needs space. I planted mine last summer. It started of slower than the Basjoos this spring but surpassed them by mid summer. Now I have Mekong's popping up everywhere like bamboo. I think Mekong Giant is definitely a keeper here in the pacific northwest so long as it does't end up on the invasive species list. The Basjoos are pupping prolifically as well, but forming tight clumps and not growing as tall and wide as the Mekong. The Orinoco is lagging behind both.

I am on my first year with this plant......
The large mat I had seen in Kentucky(Brians Botanicals) did not have the height and mass as my(Basjoo) plants. But it covered a lot more acreage

You wouldn't happen to have a photo do you?

I have no idea of the size potential of this plant .

Higher_Ground
09-20-2017, 02:52 PM
Hi, new to the forum so please forgive me if I trip up.

Most of my experience has been with Mekong Giants. I uploaded a couple photos to my gallery from 2013 and 2014, but for some reason I couldn't get the ones form '15, '16, and this summer to load.

Either way, they topped out around the same height each year. It's just that the newer photos (that won't upload?) have way more banana trees in the picture. I started with 1 in 2012 and had ~40 this summer.

cincinnana
09-22-2017, 07:33 PM
Either way, they topped out around the same height each year. It's just that the newer photos (that won't upload?) have way more banana trees in the picture. I started with 1 in 2012 and had ~40 this summer.

That sounds incredibly promising.
I saw your photos of your mats of the plants ....Wow .

I have something to look forward to:woohoonaner:

Gatorbaitfl
06-17-2019, 12:09 PM
I bought a Mekong from Brian and was very happy with the large corm he sent. The plant is still potted and is doing great although I don’t give it much TLC. Planting it soon in Central Florida (Ocala) probably as an understory plant to see how tall it’ll get 😊

sddarkman619
06-17-2019, 11:31 PM
I'll be getting mekong Giants this week from AG3(Agristarts3).
I'll post in for sale soon.