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fruit527
09-02-2017, 01:53 PM
Hi, I am a new member. I grow many types of rare fruit trees. I am interested in expanding my banana and plantain collection. Can anyone recommend some reputable mail order sources that have a good selection.

I love cooking with plantains but don't have any growing and I would like to change that.

Botanical_Bryce
09-02-2017, 03:26 PM
These are the only ones I trust. Other companies mess things up so much.
Catalog of banana trees and banana plants offered at Going Bananas (http://www.going-bananas.com/bananavarietycatalog.htm)

sputinc7
09-02-2017, 04:07 PM
Or just order from members here. Mat cleanings usually happen spring and fall so the time is coming. TyTaylor almost always has something to sell or trade.

Also, welcome to the banana nut club.

HMelendez
09-02-2017, 04:57 PM
Welcome to the banana gang!....:2723::bananarow::2723:

cincinnana
09-02-2017, 05:24 PM
Welcome to the Jungle...:woohoonaner:

There are many folks in your area growing.

Have fun here.

crazy banana
09-04-2017, 01:38 AM
These are the only ones I trust. Other companies mess things up so much.
Catalog of banana trees and banana plants offered at Going Bananas (http://www.going-bananas.com/bananavarietycatalog.htm)

While I agree that "Going Bananas" is a reputable source in Florida to get pups true to variety desired, for us members here in California "Going Bananas" only offers tissue cultured plants due to import regulations. Apparently they do a lot of TCs themselves, but also get plant material from TC labs like Agristart with known potential of mislabeled plants. American Goldfinger and Namwah/Blue Java comes to my mind. Not saying they are not trustworthy, but not foolproof for us here in California either.

fruit527
09-07-2017, 07:33 PM
Thanks everyone welcoming me. Thank you for the Going Bananas recommendation. Are there any reputable dealers in CA?

Are TC plants really so bad if the price is right?

Tytaylor77
09-18-2017, 01:59 AM
Welcome!

TC plants can be great and I would buy them if they were correctly labeled. There is nothing worse to me than buying one then 2 years later when it flowers I find out I already have this one and it wasn't the one I wanted! Has happened to me a couple times!!!

How much time, water, fertilizer, mulch, work, and more is going into the plant over that 2 year time frame? Way more than the $10 price difference! And the price difference is usually shipping cost!

A TC is tiny and has a dime sized corm. It weighs maybe an ounce. 5 oz counting wet soil? A good sized pup has a baseball or softball size corm!! It weighs 3-5 lbs! Most I sell or ship cost $10+. With pups you get what you pay for!

The pup will also give you a HUGE head start over the TC plant. Almost a whole season in some areas!!

Just some things to consider and my thoughts!! Good luck!