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View Full Version : Viente Cohol Year in Review 2008


austinl01
11-08-2008, 09:23 PM
I thought I'd give you all a picture summary of my experience growing Viente Cohol this year. Like other fruiting bananas, this one is slow to grow in the Spring; it waits until temps are consistently warm to start growing (similar to Ice Cream's requirements).

I started with a small tissue cultured plant from Going Bananas in March.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14441&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14441)

The banana continued to grow steadily in the Spring. This photo was taken on June 28, 2008.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14438&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14438)

With regular fertilizer, good growth continued and peaked in July and August.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14439&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14439)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14442&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14442)


I dug up Viente Cohol in early October getting ready for our first frost which is usually in early to mid-November.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14440&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14440)


It's ready for a winter snooze and will grow again in April when temps are consistently warm. It will not be alone; you can see my other plants that will keep it company! :)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14443&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14443)

Let's hope it will be fine overwintering in the garage where the temps will stay above 40 degrees all winter. I am hopeful for tasty bananas next year!

Cheers,
Austin

john_ny
11-09-2008, 06:50 AM
Nice pix, and story. Good luck.

MediaHound
11-09-2008, 09:28 AM
Nice to see the timeline of your Viente Cohol growth... have a nice winter and stay hopeful for bananas next year!

bencelest
11-09-2008, 10:41 AM
Very good story Austin.
Mine is similar story but mine is smaller plant compared to yours.

Magilla Gorilla
11-09-2008, 12:17 PM
Thanks for the story and pictures. I am continuously amazed to see the will and drive from the members that dig up their plants and store them for the winter. I think this is cool!

island cassie
11-09-2008, 12:52 PM
Thanks Austin - very interesting!

Bananaman88
11-10-2008, 07:34 AM
Good luck overwintering your VC, Austin. I'm hoping for one of these next year.

harveyc
11-10-2008, 11:13 AM
Thanks for the story and pictures. I am continuously amazed to see the will and drive from the members that dig up their plants and store them for the winter. I think this is cool!

I have a slightly different take. My wife thinks I'm a bit crazy collecting a bunch of bananas but when she hears of the big steps some folks have to take with their bananas she cuts me some slack. ;)

Good luck with your VC, Austin, I'm on the waiting list still.

bencelest
11-10-2008, 12:45 PM
Yes. Me too for the second one.

Simply Bananas
11-10-2008, 01:00 PM
We don't really know the hardiness of vc, do we?

Chironex
11-10-2008, 02:29 PM
Very nice looking banana Austin. Hoping it grows huge and bears lots of great fruit for you. I am still on the list to get one, but it will be worth the wait.

bencelest
11-10-2008, 03:15 PM
Here's how my VC timeline:
7 6 08

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=11021&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=11021)

bencelest
11-10-2008, 03:17 PM
11 4 08

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=14391&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14391)

bencelest
11-10-2008, 03:28 PM
I will treat mine as very sensitive to cold for originally it came from the Philippines and the country is tropical.
Whereas VC as I gathered will fruit in about 8 months that's why I bought it.
I'll find out soon enough. But given the tempt in my area I'll give it more time.