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revolutionman
02-15-2009, 04:04 PM
hello everyone!

My name is Jay, i'm 24 years old. i was born and raised in Springfield Massachusetts, and i moved to Puerto Rico last year. i inherited a nice piece of land from my grandfather, and I'm trying to do what i can with it. To say I am out of my element would be an understatement. Luckily for me I am man, the marvelous product of millions of years of evolution, and I can adapt to almost any circumstances.

This past year, I have been so enamored with the change of scenery that i had not focused on making the absolute best of what i had.

This past month, I've caged my chickens and have begun to plant a number of crops. Still, i was totally ignoring the bananas and plantains that are mostly wild at this point. I suspect the plants I've been harvesting this past year were already 3rd or 4th generation plants. The roots are mostly exposed and a few fall over every time we get a big storm. Well anyway, in my quest for better stock, I discovered that if i just maintained them I could get better results. So now here i am. here to learn how to take better care of my bananas and plantains.

I just ran my first bagging experiment with a feed bag and in less than a week the development in the fruit was quite obviously different. but the feed bag was not big enough, so i had to cut it in order to remove it.

The first I've planted on my own are now of fruiting age.

This is the extent of my experience with growing bananas. i've much more experience eating them. LoL

mayiyo
02-15-2009, 06:18 PM
Welcome to Quebradillas, PR.

island cassie
02-15-2009, 06:24 PM
Welcome to the best banana growing neck of the woods!!!!

Caloosamusa
02-15-2009, 08:02 PM
!Bienvenidos Revolutionman!

Welcome to the organization! Many of the experienced banana growers on this website can give you good information. I've been to Puerto Rico once, and have been all around the island. Are you on the dry side or wet side of the island? It will make a big difference on culturing bananas.

Felicidades y best wishes, :banana_ve

Westwood
02-16-2009, 02:48 AM
Welcome Jay i hope you enjoy your stay there .
I used to live in Panama as a kid and am now trying to recreate the experience for the kids here in my area . Tammy

revolutionman
02-16-2009, 05:26 AM
Thanks all!

I'm right up on the northwestern coast. Nestled right in between Hatillo and Quebradillas, My area is not as wet as the eastern portions of the island or as wet as it tends to be up in the mountains, but We do get more rainfall than they do down in Lajas and Ponce.

Tammy I have become of the opinion that there are few things as satisfying and rewarding as reaping what you've sown. I fell in love with it as a child after planting tomatoes in the spring back home in Massachusetts. Thats the first time I ever really enjoyed eating a tomato. Now some 16 years later I'm importing heirloom seeds from varieties of fruit and vegetable from all over the world, and enjoying the native vegetation as well. I too believe it something every child should experience. Most overtly and practically it teaches the benefit of patience and the rewards of hard work and diligence. But personally, maybe you can relate, it satisfies me on a primal, almost spiritual level. Its easy to see why rural agricultural people develop such strong faith. God from the seed.

Westwood
02-16-2009, 02:41 PM
Yes i agree it is Very spiritual.
I planted pomagranit seeds with a group of kids and they did well all sprouted and only 5 still alive the kids have gone on to planting small gardens of there favorite Veggies. they say they taste Better.
Ya know i agree. Tammy

revolutionman
02-16-2009, 07:13 PM
oh my dad loves pomagranates, if i could find a good commercial variety seed i'd love to grow some. All i can find around the neighborhood are small yellowish ones that are not as tart. I like the red softball sized ones like from the market.

I think if i had regular access to it, i wouldn't have a single unstained article of clothing though.