View Full Version : Bananas...in California???
sbfarrington
09-19-2008, 09:13 PM
I was recently told there is a banana plantation (small) on the Central California coast. Does anyone have any info about this???
Thanks!
momoese
09-19-2008, 09:57 PM
It's gone.
Banana Grower Slipped Up by Legal Wrangling - Los Angeles Times (http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/24/news/mn-35547)
pharazon
09-19-2008, 10:52 PM
Are there any members here who had the opportunity to visit the former plantation?
Pithy_Cherub
09-20-2008, 12:38 AM
Seaside Banana Gardens hooked me up w/my 1st AeAe years ago ... I blame them for the addiction that followed!
It was a beautiful plantation - I hoped Richardson would be able to relocate & was sorry to see he hadn't.
pharazon
09-20-2008, 12:53 AM
Any photographs?
Richard
09-20-2008, 01:33 AM
One of my relatives has an illustrated map of Mentone, CA drawn in 1856. Besides showing many citrus ranches and nurseries each with 50,000 to 150,000 trees, it also shows 200+ acres of bananas parallel to Crafton Avenue.
Pithy_Cherub
09-20-2008, 01:53 AM
Any photographs?
The plantation? No - wish I'd thought of it, though. I would plan my jobs so I could swing by whenever I had a contract in the area, & was usually stuffing pots into the darkroom/camper on the truck so the suits wouldn't catch on when I got back in town. Saved gas & made me a very eager, ready-to-travel-yessir!-type of employee! I did pipeline xray inspection & carried radioactive materials (iridium mostly) - so film wasn't practical to haul. If it wasn't stored w/the xray film, it got exposed from the proximity to the isotopes.
The AeAe? My daughters' dog Buppy ate the dang thing. No pixs of it, either. Or the cursed dog.
Finally nailed another AeAe this summer from an eBay seller in Hawaii ... & I only have cats now! :ha:
pharazon
09-20-2008, 02:04 AM
That dog had expensive tastes.. :waving:
Magilla Gorilla
09-20-2008, 01:01 PM
La Conchita is close to Santa Barbara and still has a few bananas in locals gardens. Doug Richardson is a really nice guy! He still sells bananas. His prices and plants are great! Last month he was moving his operation. I picked up 3 Mysore, 1 Ice Cream, 3 Monzano, 1 Red Iholena, I Jamacian Red.
Andrew
chong
09-20-2008, 03:10 PM
I found an article regarding the Richardsons, et. al, and their banana operation. This appears to be the latest article regarding their operation, albeit, the article was written in 2002.
The Banana Man: A Comeback Story - Los Angeles Times (http://articles.latimes.com/2002/aug/28/food/fo-bananas28)
It has contact information, even. I don't know if they would still be current, if as Andrew reports, they were moving last month.
Andrew - Santa Barbara people are tough cookies over there. I was an engineer for Costco when they were building their facility in Goleta. There were so many unique requirements for them to build there, including Spanish tile roof and all, that the cost of the building was at least 25% more than any Costco in southern CA. One time I was given 30 minutes notice (before flight time from Seattle) to go there to meet with building officials, else they'd hold up final inspections another week and a half, if no one can answer their questions.
I loved it there. It kinda was like being on Waikiki beach on a cool day.
Magilla Gorilla
09-22-2008, 09:13 AM
I found an article regarding the Richardsons, et. al, and their banana operation. This appears to be the latest article regarding their operation, albeit, the article was written in 2002.
The Banana Man: A Comeback Story - Los Angeles Times (http://articles.latimes.com/2002/aug/28/food/fo-bananas28)
It has contact information, even. I don't know if they would still be current, if as Andrew reports, they were moving last month.
Andrew - Santa Barbara people are tough cookies over there. I was an engineer for Costco when they were building their facility in Goleta. There were so many unique requirements for them to build there, including Spanish tile roof and all, that the cost of the building was at least 25% more than any Costco in southern CA. One time I was given 30 minutes notice (before flight time from Seattle) to go there to meet with building officials, else they'd hold up final inspections another week and a half, if no one can answer their questions.
I loved it there. It kinda was like being on Waikiki beach on a cool day.
Chong, Santa Barbara is a great place to raise our kids. The town does limit growth. We don't have big chain stores like Target, Walmart or Best Buy. Costco is an exception. The weather is very temperate here (68 to 74 year round). It could be a little warmer though. We don't have air conditioning as it does not get really hot. I have Doug Richardson's contact info. The plants I purchased from him recently are very big and healthy.
Andrew
momoese
09-22-2008, 10:35 AM
La Conchita is close to Santa Barbara and still has a few bananas in locals gardens. Doug Richardson is a really nice guy! He still sells bananas. His prices and plants are great! Last month he was moving his operation. I picked up 3 Mysore, 1 Ice Cream, 3 Monzano, 1 Red Iholena, I Jamacian Red.
Andrew
Where was his operation and where is he moving it to? Is he still selling banana fruit at the Garden Market?
Magilla Gorilla
09-22-2008, 12:45 PM
Where was his operation and where is he moving it to? Is he still selling banana fruit at the Garden Market?
He was located in Monticeto and was plannign to move at the end of August. I am not sure where he was going to move to. He did say locally (SB area). I do have his phone number. As for selling fruit, I am not sure.
Andrew
momoese
09-22-2008, 01:53 PM
Thanks Andrew! Could you pm me with his phone number please.
Magilla Gorilla
09-22-2008, 11:39 PM
Thanks Andrew! Could you pm me with his phone number please.
I sent you his contact info. If you have any plants you want to trade or sell pm me. We are not too far from each other.
Andrew
momoese
09-23-2008, 12:11 AM
Thanks, PM sent.
Pithy_Cherub
09-23-2008, 12:18 AM
La Conchita is close to Santa Barbara and still has a few bananas in locals gardens. Doug Richardson is a really nice guy! He still sells bananas. His prices and plants are great! Last month he was moving his operation. I picked up 3 Mysore, 1 Ice Cream, 3 Monzano, 1 Red Iholena, I Jamacian Red.
Andrew
OMG - he's still in business!?! I looked & googled & couldn't find anything recent - I'm so glad to hear he's still at it!
And totally agree @ his plants & prices ... he's a banana god!
When he gets to his new digs & starts selling again, maybe you could give us a heads up?
.
Magilla Gorilla
09-23-2008, 11:18 PM
OMG - he's still in business!?! I looked & googled & couldn't find anything recent - I'm so glad to hear he's still at it!
And totally agree @ his plants & prices ... he's a banana god!
When he gets to his new digs & starts selling again, maybe you could give us a heads up?
.
HEADS UP!! I started a new thread with his contact info. I spoke with him tonight.
Andrew
Pithy_Cherub
09-24-2008, 02:54 AM
Woo-hoo! Thanks!
mskitty38583
09-24-2008, 10:33 AM
I only have cats now! :ha:
ha ha ha now all you have to worry about is the kitties potting in the dirt! you may end up with more varigation on your ae ae then you expected!
Pithy_Cherub
09-24-2008, 07:00 PM
ha ha ha now all you have to worry about is the kitties potting in the dirt! you may end up with more varigation on your ae ae then you expected!
Nope ... got 'em all trained to stay outta my plants, now!
Wooden BBQ skewers stuck pointy end down in the soil = critter pungi sticks.
Only had to put them out for awhile, until they figured out that the garden beds & pots were NOT private litter boxes. They didn't get hurt since the sharp ends were facing down, but it sure got MY point across ... NO pottying here!
When needed (once or twice a year, mebbe) I put 'em out again as a refresher/reminder.
They have little kitty posts scattered around the yard (different heights, carpet- covered) & tucked in hidey spots to make it up to them. A 4'x4' sandbox by the fence, 2 4'x4' grass boxes for lolling & snacking, & a private catnip flowerbed just for them - I think they've decided to go along w/the trade-off!
.
caliboy1994
10-29-2012, 07:20 PM
Does anyone know if this guy is still in business?
BobbyC
10-29-2012, 10:55 PM
Has anyone ever been to the Aloha Tropicals nursery here in Oceanside SD CA? I was looking at there inventory of exotics online and they looked legit but there site had no adress and said visits by appointment only. Anyone?
venturabananas
10-30-2012, 01:24 AM
Does anyone know if this guy is still in business?
He's not.
venturabananas
10-30-2012, 01:27 AM
Has anyone ever been to the Aloha Tropicals nursery here in Oceanside SD CA? I was looking at there inventory of exotics online and they looked legit but there site had no adress and said visits by appointment only. Anyone?
I've tried, but the couple of times I've tried he's either had something else he had to do or never got back to me. I think the nursery must not be his primary source of income. I think Magilla Gorilla has visited the nursery.
Magilla Gorilla
10-30-2012, 02:36 AM
I've tried, but the couple of times I've tried he's either had something else he had to do or never got back to me. I think the nursery must not be his primary source of income. I think Magilla Gorilla has visited the nursery.
Aloha Mark,
I hope all is well. Hawaii is great! I have been to exotica a few times. First, lets say the owner Steve Spangler and employees/family are very earthy and natural. Their website is as old as dirt. I have bought many varieties from them including a Starfruit tree. Their prices are fair. I would make sure you make sure they are open when you stop by. If you need a phone number please let me know.
Chris Carter here on the Big Island worked there for a while.
sunfish
10-30-2012, 08:17 AM
Exotica Rare Fruit Nursery (http://www.exoticararefruits.com/)
venturabananas
10-30-2012, 11:31 AM
Aloha Mark,
I hope all is well. Hawaii is great! I have been to exotica a few times. First, lets say the owner Steve Spangler and employees/family are very earthy and natural. Their website is as old as dirt. I have bought many varieties from them including a Starfruit tree. Their prices are fair. I would make sure you make sure they are open when you stop by. If you need a phone number please let me know.
Chris Carter here on the Big Island worked there for a while.
Hi Andrew, thanks for the info on Exotica. But I thought we were talking about Aloha Tropicals.
Abnshrek
10-30-2012, 11:52 AM
Hi Andrew, thanks for the info on Exotica. But I thought we were talking about Aloha Tropicals.
I like their plumeria, and Michele Alba Magnolias.. Banana's are another thing. We'll see if my supposed Haa Haa lives to see what it really is. I know my pitogo's didn't. :^)
Magilla Gorilla
10-30-2012, 07:19 PM
Hi Andrew, thanks for the info on Exotica. But I thought we were talking about Aloha Tropicals.
The sun in Hawaii is getting to me :ha:
Sorry! Lets try this again. I have purchased plants from Andy at Aloha Tropicals before. I have also visited his nursery. The plants have always been healthy. I have heard from others that they are not sure if they actually got the correct varieties. I have not had any flower yet to tell. His banana plants are tc's. Andy's communication skills are not the greatest. Very slow to respond to emails. When I was there at the nursery it was great. Rob in Kalapana has purchased from him as well. He does ship plants. I would say that all of us has had good, bad or indifferent experiences with lots of sellers. I would purchase from Andy again. The same goes for Steve at Exotica.
Abnshrek
10-30-2012, 08:03 PM
I never had problem w/ Andy's communication skills.. I also like his papaya plants. My Haa Haa is getting a thicker base so I think my skills in growing have improved since I got the pitogo 4 years ago I surely could grow much other than veggies then.. :^)
venturabananas
10-30-2012, 09:07 PM
...I think my skills in growing have improved since I got the pitogo 4 years ago I surely could grow much other than veggies then.. :^)
I think bananas are easier to grow than most veggies, at least in my climate! They're just slooooooooooooooooooow.
Abnshrek
10-30-2012, 09:12 PM
I think bananas are easier to grow than most veggies, at least in my climate!
Well when you add in cold like mine, soil mix really makes a difference to prevent rott, keeping young plants in mostly shade for a couple weeks, the learning curve makes a difference. :^)
venturabananas
10-30-2012, 09:40 PM
Well when you add in cold like mine, soil mix really makes a difference to prevent rott, keeping young plants in mostly shade for a couple weeks, the learning curve makes a difference. :^)
Yes, that's true -- I learned those lessons the hard way, too. I guess what would be more accurate to say is that bananas are pretty tough once they are established -- and in my climate, aren't susceptible to all the darn fungi and bugs that attack my veggies.
Abnshrek
10-31-2012, 08:57 AM
Yes, that's true -- I learned those lessons the hard way, too. I guess what would be more accurate to say is that bananas are pretty tough once they are established -- and in my climate, aren't susceptible to all the darn fungi and bugs that attack my veggies.
Established banana's are beasts except to the cold.. and for veggies sulpher goes a long way to keeping them leaf eaters away. :^)
tcvray
04-30-2013, 02:58 PM
HEADS UP!! I started a new thread with his contact info. I spoke with him tonight.
Andrew
Can't seem to find the thread with Doug's contact info, I'm also from California and would love it if someone could connect me :)
sunfish
04-30-2013, 03:03 PM
Can't seem to find the thread with Doug's contact info, I'm also from California and would love it if someone could connect me :)
http://www.bananas.org/f2/bananas-california-6035-2.html#post208221
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