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View Full Version : Hello from the "Un-banana" state of Kentucky


Extreme Bananas
01-05-2009, 08:58 PM
After dabbling in daylily growing and hybridization, I decided that I needed something different. I had raised a hundred agaves, but they didn't like the humidity outside in the summer (except for Agave americana), or the dreary winters indoors. I am down to four small ones. And I grew bromeliads in Ketchikan, Alaska, where the sun was seldom seen. I made good use of high intensity grow lights.

You don't see many bananas in Kentucky. There are some big summertime clumps, either spring/summer transplants from winter storage, or hardy "Basjoo". And there are the single annual plantings. I read that tropicals are getting very popular, regardless of where you live. So maybe there will be a banana revival.

I have had a dozen Ebun musak's for 4 years but do not fertilize or water them enough. So they are still under 4 feet. I would dig them in the fall and store them in the basement, or grow them as houseplants. Then I searched the web about banana culture and got excited. A leaf a week seems to be the norm. I have the extremely small "Truly Tiny", and have ordered the extremely colorful "Siam Ruby" and the extremely hardy "Basjoo". So this could be another exciting adventure for me. After spending $200 to $300 on daylilies, it wouldn't bother me to get a pricey "Ae Ae". It is a cool-looking banana. But according to reports, it is a touchy plant. That is the trouble with some variegated plants. It would have to be a pot plant here. I don't think it would like getting dug up every fall. Does anyone in the colder climates have "Ae Ae"?

It looks like there are a lot of banana experts on this forum. Whenever I have any questions, I will know where to come.

Hello to all.

Ed

CookieCows
01-05-2009, 09:15 PM
I have huge ae ae envy and would love to have one also but am going to wait until they aren't so scarce or until I have a big, tall, heated, wonderful green house. I think they'll become less scarce before that green house becomes a reality. :ha:

Deb

damaclese
01-05-2009, 09:57 PM
Cookie havint you hear Thou Shalt not Covit they Nabors Ae AE LOL i think thats comandment nuber 3!!!!!ROFLAO

Chironex
01-05-2009, 11:14 PM
If there is a way to TC these, I will be doing it soon after. Hope to get some AeAe pups this summer, then I can try some things in TC.

JCDerrick
01-06-2009, 12:38 AM
Welcome to the .org Ed.

It's good to know we all obsess over the Ae-Ae. I didn't think much of them until I saw one in person in HI. Didn't take long before I had my wife taking a photo of me with it. And she thinks that's weird... :ha: It's on the 'to-acquire' list when I'm in a warmer place.

CookieCows
01-06-2009, 01:09 AM
Cookie havint you hear Thou Shalt not Covit they Nabors Ae AE LOL i think thats comandment nuber 3!!!!!ROFLAO


I can't help it Pauly!! I'm a sinner!!!!! :03: :ha:

JcDerrick at first I cracked up laughing reading your post and then I thought a minute and laughed even harder because I've never seen one in person and I know I'd have a picture taken standing next to one too!

Tog Tan
01-06-2009, 03:41 AM
Yo Ed, this dah place to go bananas! Hope you will 'naner up the un-banana situation of Kentucky when the 'naner fever hits you hard. All the best!:ha:

Bob
01-06-2009, 07:29 AM
Welcome Extreme Bananas, you must feel like your in the tropics after Ketchikan! You're in the right place for banana info. You may want to hold off for just a bit getting the Ae Ae, in my opinion. After collecting a few dozen banana plants ,this was the only one I've had die off so far(probably try again in spring. Good luck.

mskitty38583
01-06-2009, 10:59 AM
welcome from the volunteer state......i volunteer to grow an nana i can!:ha:. i live in sparta, tn and would like to give you a late welcome!!!!!! and ae ae envy is a great big problem with us here, we turn into little green monsters when someone mentions an ae ae..............me want ae ae!!!!