View Full Version : So-called "Goldfinger"
Capra
09-10-2018, 09:17 PM
I bought this one from a Home Depot in Watsonville, California. It was supplied by La Verne Nursery in Ventura County. It was labeled "Goldfinger" and was just 1 foot tall when I bought it. Almost 5 months later, it's only just over 3 feet tall and growing very slowly. It's healthy, but definitely seems to be a dwarf of some kind. It gets full sun, daily water, and the daytime highs are always in the 70s, lows in the upper 50s. It's already developing a sword sucker at the base. The pseudo stem has a reddish tinge to it. Any ideas what this variety actually is?http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63622
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63623
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63624
Capra
09-10-2018, 09:19 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63622&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63622)
Capra
09-10-2018, 09:20 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63623&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63623)
Capra
09-10-2018, 09:20 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63624&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63624)
Botanical_Bryce
09-11-2018, 12:01 AM
Looks like mine. Never seems to do much. hates the heat
beam2050
09-11-2018, 05:32 AM
I walked into our local ace hardware last year, they had 2 bananas that were marked goldfinger and sweetheart. didn't look like either of mine. they looked exactly like the gran nains they usually sell.
your plant looks healthy. my goldfinger is sort of a slow grower too, bought it from a member here. by the picture yours seems to have a lot of red in the p-stem. to my understanding there are several cultivars of goldfinger.
grass clippings and leaves around the base will keep the ground moist and cooler. they will actually throw roots underneath the mulch. also cutting the lower leaves off will make it grow a bit faster. looks healthy,good luck.
Hamakua
09-11-2018, 07:13 AM
Ultimate source would be Agristarts.
Richard
09-11-2018, 02:05 PM
La Verne propagates Namwa as Goldfinger and Ice Cream.
Akula
09-11-2018, 02:31 PM
La Verne propagates Namwa as Goldfinger and Ice Cream.
If its a namwa then its low on nitrogen and potassium. I've seen this happen to a namwa I planted at my Mother's house. No fertilizer. Kinda bushy with lots of yellowish/light green well formed leaves with very little height gain (low nitrogen) and very reddish/purplish pstem (no potassium). I fertilized the plant and a month later it was rocking along.
The temps reported by Capra are not optimum for growth but I think lack of nutrients would be the main problem if its a namwa.
Capra
09-11-2018, 03:37 PM
Thanks for the advice! I just trimmed the bottom leaves off and mulched it. Regarding the temperatures not being optimum; I used to live up the coast in Half Moon Bay where it was as much as 10 degrees colder on average (especially in the daytime) and yet my Raja Puri banana grew like a weed compared to this one. Besides, this one is up against a south facing fence, with heat absorbing patio pavement in front of it. Fertilization could be an issue though, since I haven’t fertilized it in a couple months! I have a Citrus and Avocado fertilizer that has a 6-4-6 NPK ratio that I think I used last time. Is that sufficient? Otherwise, I have an all-purpose 24-8-16 all-purpose fertilizer on hand as well if that would be better?
edwmax
09-11-2018, 05:23 PM
For NPK 6-4-6: apply 18 lbs total divided during the growing season; plus 1 lb oF SOP 0-0-50
For NPK 24-8-16: apply 5 lb total divided during the growing season; plus 2 1/2 lb of SOP 0-0-50
Your choice ... but which one is the most economical?
Capra
09-11-2018, 06:27 PM
Hmm... I’m thinking the latter could be more economical. But, considering the cooler climate of coastal California, which definitely slows growth vs a hotter, more humid climate in the southeast, would you think I might be better off with a smaller volume of fertilizer?
Richard
09-11-2018, 08:35 PM
Hmm... I’m thinking the latter could be more economical. But, considering the cooler climate of coastal California, which definitely slows growth vs a hotter, more humid climate in the southeast, would you think I might be better off with a smaller volume of fertilizer?
I agree with the temps you posted for Watsonville. I'm there at least twice per year. But on the otherhand, your statement "the cooler climate of coastal California" is a mis-match for the varied climates on California's very long coastline.
You're correct about the fertilizer dosages. I'd cut them to 1/3 the listed quantities. Also, within a week or so "Fruit Fuel 18-12-24" will be available from user crazy banana on this site ... it's a single-bag formula for bananas and many other fruits.
Capra
09-11-2018, 09:36 PM
Thanks, Richard! The “coastal California” climate reference was just to broadly compare our relatively “cool summer” coastal Mediterranean climate to the true tropical climates and areas on the east coast that have hot, humid “tropical” summers. Depending on the latitude and topography, we have various degrees of coastal fog and cooler summers out here, and when it’s hot, it’s usually pretty dry. Especially in central and northern Cal (anywhere north of Point Concepcion). People who haven’t been out here before always seem to be surprised by it.
Richard
09-11-2018, 11:29 PM
our relatively “cool summer” coastal Mediterranean climate
That's valid for Santa Barbara northward. From the L.A. area southward you can expect 90F midday temperatures many summer days at the beach.
the true tropical climates and areas on the east coast
There are none on the east coast. For that you'll need to go quite a bit farther south; e.g. Costa Rica.
Capra
09-12-2018, 10:35 PM
I’m well aware, thanks. I’ve been down on the OC and San Diego county coast twice a year since I was a kid, and I’m now almost 40. I know the nuances of the climate. The fact is, we aren’t as hot and humid out here as the southeast US in summer, or the tropics at any given time. So, we have a unique climate here in coastal cal. Remember La Conchita in Ventura County? That place inspired me to try to grow bananas. I visited it a few times in the early to mid 90s before it was all wiped out by landslides. What a place it was, though!
bananaT
09-13-2018, 10:37 AM
Gold Finger is the new Ice Cream.
That's to say; EVERYBODY wants'em, NOBODY seems to have the real one!
I have had the apparent, pleasure of eating a Perfectly ripe Gold Finger.... Very much the hype!
But even buying from a very reputable sources, I have never Gotten TRUE TO TYPE Gold finger plant...
But anyway, definitely looking to be a hungry Nam wah you have there.
Richard
09-13-2018, 01:07 PM
Tropical climates rarely drop below 65F nor exceed 85F.
zfallon84
09-14-2018, 08:14 AM
I walked into our local ace hardware last year, they had 2 bananas that were marked goldfinger and sweetheart. didn't look like either of mine. they looked exactly like the gran nains they usually sell.
your plant looks healthy. my goldfinger is sort of a slow grower too, bought it from a member here. by the picture yours seems to have a lot of red in the p-stem. to my understanding there are several cultivars of goldfinger.
grass clippings and leaves around the base will keep the ground moist and cooler. they will actually throw roots underneath the mulch. also cutting the lower leaves off will make it grow a bit faster. looks healthy,good luck.
Is that Hagan ACE that carries Gran Nain?
Capra
09-14-2018, 01:43 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63635&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63635&limit=recent)
After trim, mulch and feed. We'll see what happens.
HMelendez
09-15-2018, 05:02 AM
Gold Finger is the new Ice Cream.
That's to say; EVERYBODY wants'em, NOBODY seems to have the real one!
I have had the apparent, pleasure of eating a Perfectly ripe Gold Finger.... Very much the hype!
But even buying from a very reputable sources, I have never Gotten TRUE TO TYPE Gold finger plant...
But anyway, definitely looking to be a hungry Nam wah you have there.
You are completely right!.....
There are only a few members growing the TRUE TO TYPE/REAL DEAL TARS FHIA-1 Goldfinger (with all my respect, please don't ask me who)!......I'm not sure, but seems that the plant has restrictions in sharing it, growing it, sale it!.......That is why is so rare!......
:2723::bananarow::2723:
edwmax
09-15-2018, 08:56 AM
You are completely right!.....
There are only a few members growing the TRUE TO TYPE/REAL DEAL TARS FHIA-1 Goldfinger (with all my respect, please don't ask me who)!......I'm not sure, but seems that the plant has restrictions in sharing it, growing it, sale it!.......That is why is so rare!......
:2723::bananarow::2723:
Gee ... I didn't know these were so hard to get and rare. ... My single FHIA 1 (out of 8 or 10) has 2 pups now. That mat was almost wiped out in last winter's freeze.
HMelendez
09-15-2018, 10:33 AM
Trust me, there is a lot of mutations, variations of the FHIA-1 Goldfinger out there, going around, but only one is the TRUE TO TYPE/REAL DEAL and is the TARS FHIA-1 Goldfinger!.....
Right now, I'm growing two (2) FHIA-1 Goldfingers!.......Both of them are mutations/variations of the TRUE TO TYPE/REAL DEAL ONE!.........The TC Agristart FHIA-1 Goldfinger and another one that turned out to be an off-type clone!.....
Check this out!........
http://www.bananas.org/f2/fhia-1-american-goldfinger-47284.html
http://www.bananas.org/f2/update-my-latest-nana-plants-2018-a-48141-6.html
https://www.crop-diversity.org/mgis/accession/01USA108140
:2723::bananarow::2723:
HMelendez
09-18-2018, 07:40 AM
Please check this out!..........http://www.bananas.org/f2/update-my-latest-nana-plants-2018-a-48141-9.html#post318568
Woohooo!.....No more off-type clones or mutations!.....Finally!......The very elusive TRUE TO TYPE/REAL DEAL TARS FHIA-1 Goldinger has been found!.....A verified/trusted source!......
:2723::bananarow::2723:
sddarkman619
09-23-2018, 11:13 PM
ok so here's what's left of my "goldfinger" harvest from last week. I got these plants form Tony AKA Sunfish. He told me when he gave them to me these were supposed to be the "Real" FHIA-1 Goldfingers.
From the photos I am seeing on other sites the fruit look longer than what I have. These that I have are fat and about 4-5+" long, and are really sweet with a slight apple/acid/tangy taste to them.
So form what i am gathering form this post is that everyone feels that the agristarts FHIA-1 is not true or an off shoot. Due to too much over culturing. Correct?
As Rob stated my plants sometimes will tip over at the tops before the fruit is ripe, but sometimes not. Depends.
When I got these plants from Tony 5 years ago they were much taller.8-10+' tall.
I planted them and pretty much neglected them. They are now shorter, like 6-8+' tall. In ****ty soil.
I have just started to thin the mats and fertilize them, and taking better care of them as I have more time now.
I should take more photos of the plants themselves and post. I should have taken photos of the flowers and bunches as well. But I didn't.
Most know I sell all agristarts stuff, but I will soon be selling real Blue Javas, but Like Ty, I am now getting into getting a hold of REAL true to type plants.
So I am thinking about trying to get a real true to type Goldfinger.
What's your guess on these fruit. We love them. We get fruit every year.
But here's the fruit, what do you think?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63706&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63706)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63707&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63707)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63708&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63708)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63709&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63709)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63711&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63711)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63710&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63710)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63712&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63712)
These bunches are from 2014:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63714&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63714)
and these from 2015:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63713&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63713)
From the USDA ARS Catalog, there is a big difference in what mine look like compared to this:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63715&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63715)
Richard
09-23-2018, 11:17 PM
...
Any idea where Tony obtained his plant? I'm thinking it is Dwarf Namwa.
sddarkman619
09-24-2018, 02:00 AM
I don't. If he told me I don't remember.
But told me it was Goldfinger. I'll take some photos of it tomorrow.
sddarkman619
09-24-2018, 02:53 AM
I just read up on the FHIA-01 and the Dwarf Namwah in the Kepler and Rust book, and it fits almost to a T the Goldfinger. Does not fit the description, or look like the namwah at all.
bananaT
09-24-2018, 07:48 AM
The real gold finger fruit are full size(store bought Cavendish standards for banana fruit measurement guys;) and big,large somewhat blunt look.
I've seen them several times at RFG sales and from going bananas.
Those first pictures do not fit a true to type gold finger.
They look like the off variety that everyone has, including myself.
Mine are fruiting right now; they do get very nice fruit, but they are very different in looks and taste, texture from a true GF.
HMelendez
09-26-2018, 04:46 AM
The real gold finger fruit are full size(store bought Cavendish standards for banana fruit measurement guys;) and big,large somewhat blunt look.
I've seen them several times at RFG sales and from going bananas.
Those first pictures do not fit a true to type gold finger.
They look like the off variety that everyone has, including myself.
Mine are fruiting right now; they do get very nice fruit, but they are very different in looks and taste, texture from a true GF.
You are completely right!..... Here are a couple of picture of 3/4 of a full hand from the True To Type/Real Deal TARS FHIA-1 Goldfinger!......Full size Nana fingers!......
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1876/44720286312_d60dec6e9d_b.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1878/42959315890_943c802754_b.jpg
:2723::bananarow::2723:
sddarkman619
09-26-2018, 10:32 AM
since we're talking about mutations too, here's a plant I noticed the other day and peeled back some leave to reveal the Siamese twins.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63735&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63735)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63734&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63734)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63736&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63736)
beam2050
09-26-2018, 11:07 AM
wow. that's a pic I havnt seen before. didn't know they could do that. double the price, right.
sddarkman619
09-26-2018, 11:46 AM
I wish I'd taken a photo before I peeled the leaves back.
Capra
09-29-2018, 12:46 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63789&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63789)
Slight progress.
Capra
10-17-2018, 07:43 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63989&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63989&ppuser=28467)
First pup has gotten more tall & stout. Second sword coming in. Main P-Stem is just over 2 feet, total height 3' 8". Could it be a dwarf yet?
Capra
10-17-2018, 07:47 PM
I preface this by saying that I grew a Raja Puri in a cooler climate up the coast, closer to the ocean, and it grew to at least 6 feet before any pups emerged.
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