Need Recomendations for a Banana Plant

[edwmax]

I'm in zone 8b.

I have a small patio area on the East side of the house. Part of this area is heavily shaded by a pecan tree. But the south end does get morning sun and becomes shaded in the afternoon from the sun & heat (abt 2pm on).

I would like to get one or two plants that would not grow more than 8ft tall (preference about 6ft) and be able to fruit & ripen by end of September.

Since my location does see temperatures in the single digits the banana plants
probably should be suitable for zone 7b. However, I can cut the plants to the ground, mulch, and cover with a tub for the very cold spells.

What type of Banana do you guys recommend for planting?

[cincinnana]

You could call Lowes or another big box store in Thomasville and see if they still have plants.
It is end of season and you can get some plants on clearance .
Generally they carry Cavendish type plants which are suited for your area..

Also a quick search shows plants for sale on Craigslist.....but you will have to drive.

Average cost per plant 10.00 .

In your zone you will be hard pressed to get edible fruit in a single season.

[edwmax]

Local Lowes is out of stock. I had already check on-line, but drove to the store this afternoon. I needed a saw blade anyway.

[Tytaylor77]

I'm in 8b and have 12 bunches hanging. All planted outside in the ground. I have 3 Veinte cohol that were 3' pups in March and flowered recently. VC gets about 7' for me. They don't take cold very well in the ground though. About like cavendish and other cold sensitive types.

Dwarf Orinoco fruits for me but you have to save the Pstem over winter. They also take 4-5 months to ripen after they bloom. If you put in the work and cover the Pstems for winter most will fruit for me. Namwa, Orinoco, Manzano, Goldfinger will survive mild winters in the mid 20s.

Short cycle ones like Veinte cohol do great. My patupi, Tigua, Monthan may not make a flower this year. I got them late. May have to wait until next year for a flower.

Good luck and if you want details how I overwinter just PM me.

[edwmax]

Originally Posted by Tytaylor77

I'm in 8b and have 12 bunches hanging. All planted outside in the ground. I have 3 Veinte cohol that were 3' pups in March and flowered recently. VC gets about 7' for me. They don't take cold very well in the ground though. About like cavendish and other cold sensitive types.

Dwarf Orinoco fruits for me but you have to save the Pstem over winter. They also take 4-5 months to ripen after they bloom. If you put in the work and cover the Pstems for winter most will fruit for me. Namwa, Orinoco, Manzano, Goldfinger will survive mild winters in the mid 20s.

Short cycle ones like Veinte cohol do great. My patupi, Tigua, Monthan may not make a flower this year. I got them late. May have to wait until next year for a flower.

Good luck and if you want details how I overwinter just PM me.

How much of the Pstem needs to be saved? ... If the Pstem is about 6" dia. I never cut it to the ground, but leave it about 4 ft high.

[edwmax]

I have a neighbor with nana patch as older than my patch the EMC kiled. The bananas had very little or no care for the past 20 years. And, it usually would fruit several bunches each year if it got water. I have no idea what the type is. I think the plant is worth saving and will get 3 or 4 pups from it this coming week. These I'll plant out by the chickens pens.

We had dry weather during April, May & most of June. This plant has one bunch (abt 8 hands) growing. Anyone have a clue as to the type of nana tree this is. pic following ...



We cut the flower last Thursday to help the nanas to plump up. We still have abt 90 days until the first frost, may be more.