Log in

View Full Version : Hello everyone! A brave new member here ...


angsaidso
03-09-2009, 04:27 PM
Okay, first off, howdy to everyone and secondly, tell me I am NUTS ... I already know. I have heard how impossible it is to grow variegated bananas to begin with, and while I have a bajoo pup, a Siam ruby pup and two 'truly tinys', I have taken the plunge and bought (from Thailand, naturally) a Tanee which I am now finding out will prolly turn out to be a balbisiana?? Guess I will know better when it arrives.

I am mainly a Alocasia, Colocasia, Xanthosoma, Philodendron kinda girl. The bigger it grows, the more I love it!!! Of course, living in NYS (Upstate near Binghamton) doesn't help my cause. Not even remote tropical environment around this place. So ... I grow them all inside my home, have to duck around giant leaves everywhere and always feel like I am in a jungle! LOL

Anyone who has any pointers on starting my Tanee, feel free to get in touch. I ALWAYS want to make new plant friends. I have read the posts regarding my crazy banana buddy, so I have that info socked away in my back brain. But in the meantime, anything cool and special that helped with yours might be just the advice I need.

Also, is there really someone out there in Zone 5 or higher growing a basjoo in the ground successfully???? I mean honestly succeeding at it??? I want to sticfk mine in the ground this spring but am PETRIFIED I will kill it. So advice there too ... greatly appreciated!

Away I go for now, but anyone wanting to talk plants should drop me a note. Thanks and looking forward to some new chat with new friends!!

Peace ~ Ang

saltydad
03-09-2009, 05:17 PM
My basjoos do well overwintered with straw mulch, but i'm in z7. Welcome, I'm sure many others will touch base with you too.

Ueberwinden
03-09-2009, 07:12 PM
Ang,

I am in a zone 6 and Basjoo do well here. I also tinker with a lot of the same plants you have listed. I wanted to say hi and welcome you to the group. The main tropicals I grow right now are Plumeria, Bougainvillea, Brugmansia (Angels Trumpets), Bamboo, Virya, and of course most importantly the banana!! I like to tinker with others like Alocasia, Calocasia, I have different ornamental grasses, and aquatics plants. Right now my big outdoor project is a Koi pond I started last year. The various ponds and streams that are involved in this project span over a 60-70 feet section of the yard. Hope to hear about your jungle.

Michael

austinl01
03-09-2009, 07:37 PM
Welcome to the best forums on the net, Ang!

Mike, do you have any pics of your koi pond? I have been considering building one.

Bob
03-09-2009, 07:40 PM
Binghamton!!!! ......and you want to grow tropicals.............It can't be done!!
OK ,,,,,,, sorry it's been a long winter. Guessing you got your Tanee from Thailand / ebay? Are there any roots? How much P- stem came with it? The more info the better info you'll get back. Let's hear more
More people should grow the large alocasias, what a great "bang for your buck" as far as creating a tropical environment for us cold weather gardeners.
Good luck and welcome.

hammer
03-09-2009, 07:41 PM
welcome aboard hope find what your looking for

angsaidso
03-09-2009, 08:07 PM
Wow! What a warm welcome!! Thank you!

Where do I start??? I already forgot who asked what, but I remember the questions ...

Yes, stupid me .. eBay purchase. Couldn't help it. I have a HORRIBLE addiction!! There are no 1-800 numbers yet for my problem I am afraid. I am considering starting a support group, but last I knew you had to be over your addiction to help others over theirs. Guess I don't qualify and may NEVER qualify!! My Tanee has not arrived yet .. but when it does I will let you all know how much (if any) roots, etc it has.

Mention somewhere down there <<Ang points at other messages>>> someone mentioned a koi pond ... I built a "bog" pond!!! I love it ... I grow all my carnivorous plants out there! It is AWESOME!

Long winter mention ... YES!!! HELL YES!!! I am having a nervous breakdown!! I HATE winter and please DO NOT ask me why I still live here! It is like a bad nightmare and I just haven't been awake yet! LOL. I checked my zone according to the chart on this site and it says I live in zone 6!!! Whoo HOO! Somehow I moved up a zone since last year!!! ????? Global Warming??

Big growers ... Michael, I believe ... I started about a billion (okay, not really .. the real number is 700 ... literally) Desert Roses from seed and about 100 plumeria this past fall. All look pretty good so far. But the Ears and Philos are my passion. I have heard all about the variegated banana being hard to pot grow. So ... because I LOVE to hear people say you cannot grow things and then I do, I HAD to get one and try it.

Question ... are all the variegates hard? Are Ae Ae stronger??? Or the Tanee?? Or are they all wussie plants that need to be ignored instead of babied if you want them to live?? LOL! True??? I think most of you will agree ... you can, and sometimes do, love a plant TOO much! I know I have done it and admit it although I hate to be the one to say I killed my plants with kindness in the past! :-(

It is SO great to meet you all!
Peace ~ Ang

MediaHound
03-09-2009, 08:20 PM
Welcome!

Ueberwinden
03-09-2009, 08:34 PM
Austin01,

Yes I do have pictures, I will post some for you to see.

Ang,

congrats on moving up in the world!! Maybe we can do some dealing and swapping!

Michael

angsaidso
03-09-2009, 08:41 PM
Michael -

I have all sorts of fun things ... agaves, plumeria, desert roses, cacti, variegated philos, ears ...

At last count I had 72 varieties of ears (between Alocasia, Colocasia and Xanths) ... we will see how many wake up after this winter and how many I might have to replace and handle differently next year.

Peace ~ Ang

Ueberwinden
03-09-2009, 08:59 PM
Ang,

I love plumera, I have a Jim Little Dane. I have a couple of agave(want more), I love Desert Rose (currently have none) I grow cactus for my own collection and interest. Would love to see some pictures if you get a chance.

Michael

angsaidso
03-09-2009, 09:03 PM
Michael -

I have no idea what my plumeria will be since they do not grow true from seed. Nor do desert roses. That is part of the fun with them and seed! You never know what you will get as far as flowers go ...

I have quite a few interesting agaves. Don't get any til you check with me. I do have some we can swap if you are interested (will send you a list PM). I grow all of mine in the house in winter ... I have a four by three foot A. desmentiana in my living room on the floor. Bites me every time I have to scoot by it. But until the summer sun comes out to play, here it sits.

I have quite a few plants I can swap and trade. I love nothing more than swapping for fun stuff!

Ueberwinden
03-09-2009, 09:08 PM
Ang,

I look forward to seeing your list. My Plumeria are from seed I purchase from Thailand, but I also buy cuttings and I have some grafts.

Michael

angsaidso
03-09-2009, 09:12 PM
Michael -

How do those grafts hold up??? I was thinking of purchasing a few of the variegated varieties but they are almost always grafts. I was told to steer clear of them, but never knew why???

angsaidso
03-09-2009, 09:14 PM
Oh, and will post some pics tomorrow ... I have a few to share. WARNING ... you may be AMAZEd at how many plants can be fit into one small room during long winter NYS months!! LOL

D_&_T
03-09-2009, 10:05 PM
Hello Ang!

check out Sandy0225 galleries she grows basjoo in Muncie, IN zone 5

Tog Tan
03-09-2009, 11:47 PM
Hiya Ang! Welcome to the board! :goteam: You are definitely my kinda person, araceae, 'naners... whew!

A word on the Var Kluay Tah Nee (aka Klauy Thani), it is actually a Musa balbisiana and is a very vigorous grower. If you keep it warm enough, it will come around real fine. You should see it when it decides to grow! On the other hand, the Ae Ae is a shade daintier.

Well, I come from a place where you get alocasia in the jungle here and more. I do grow adenium, desert rose and I am into the species rather than the hybrids which are very common here. Plumeria? You can make cuttings by walking down the street! :ha::ha::ha:

All the best!:02:

Caloosamusa
03-10-2009, 01:04 AM
:bananaflipflop:Hello and Welcome Ang!!!

I grow Basjoo but not at the latitude your looking for. Best wishes and may your bananas grow well!:2239:

LilRaverBoi
03-10-2009, 10:45 AM
Welcome to the boards! I know you'll enjoy it here...the community is wonderful. Sounds like you've got quite the full-house right now! I bet you're ready for spring to come around so you can spread out a bit. I think we all are. Well, enjoy the site! Ask any questions you have, people are very helpful!

angsaidso
03-10-2009, 08:15 PM
Tog - I am SOOOOO jealous! Malaysia!!!!! Dang! You grow some of my favorite stuff right in your backyard!!! I absolutely LOVE Alocasia robusta and plan to grow some this spring. Any suggestions???? They are TOUGH I hear, but again, tell me I cannot grow it and I am TWICE as determined TO grow it!! LOL!

buzzwinder
03-10-2009, 08:36 PM
Ang, checkout (Northern Tropics Greenhouse (http://northerntropics.mybisi.com/) ) thats Sandys site in Muncie Indiana, she has had great success with wintering Basjoo in zone 5 in the ground, and has tutorials on her website to how to do it, I bought two Bajoos last summer with intent on planting in the ground this spring. Unfortunatly, I think I killed them over the winter, only time will tell, I didn't do a good job overwintering them inside this year, best to let go dormant, I tried to keep them growing slowly.

angsaidso
03-10-2009, 08:47 PM
Thanks SO much for that link!!! I will check it out! I am so worried that my poor little bugger lives with an incompetent mother! Mine is kept at work in the store where it has 24 hour light, and I water once (just a drizzle) a week. Seems fine, but not growing. Although my Truly Tiny (so they call it) is growing a pup! LOL!

Tog Tan
03-10-2009, 10:11 PM
Tog - I am SOOOOO jealous! Malaysia!!!!! Dang! You grow some of my favorite stuff right in your backyard!!! I absolutely LOVE Alocasia robusta and plan to grow some this spring. Any suggestions???? They are TOUGH I hear, but again, tell me I cannot grow it and I am TWICE as determined TO grow it!! LOL!

Hiya Ang, don't be, remember I can't grow many of your agaves and what not here. I had a couple of the Alocasia robusta but I killed it through negligence. They like a bright spot with intermediate watering. Humidity seems to be the key.
All the best.

Bob
03-11-2009, 09:20 AM
Tog, why do you have trouble with agaves............too humid/ too much rain? I just got some A. Montana seed free from wellspring (probably because they knew the E. Perrieri I paid for weren't going to come up). Just tossed them in a deli container like everything else these days and a bunch came up already. I was guessing that if you had trouble with anything it would be more like a Colorado blue spruce.

Tog Tan
03-11-2009, 09:44 AM
Tog, why do you have trouble with agaves............too humid/ too much rain? I just got some A. Montana seed free from wellspring (probably because they knew the E. Perrieri I paid for weren't going to come up). Just tossed them in a deli container like everything else these days and a bunch came up already. I was guessing that if you had trouble with anything it would be more like a Colorado blue spruce.

Too daarrnnn wet here! I have to keep them in small pots if out in the open so that however it rains only a certain amount of water will be retained. Anything more, boooommmm! Only the toughest which acclimatize will survive and yet sometimes, they give up the ghost too. When I germinate the sds, (and I do it during the hottest time) and towards the sprouting time if it rains, most of the time they go dud! I have tried 1,000+ A atenuata sds and nothing came up cos it went rainy suddenly for many days. After the big tsunami here, the weather has gone bonkers totally. I was just on the line with my Bkk pal and he told me it's raining there now even though it's the hottest time of the year. I can't go looking for plants now cos every evening it rains till it floods even in the city. That's my problem! Ha! :ha:

Btw Bob, I just got my Bkk pal to give me another 7 pups of the Ae Ae with more to come! Happy...Happy... Darn idiot has 15 matured plants. Actually I ransomed him cos he wants all my Variegated Dracaena elliptica cuttings. :ha::ha::ha:

Bananaman88
03-11-2009, 11:56 AM
Dracaena for Ae-Ae? I say trade 'em all!

angsaidso
03-11-2009, 03:11 PM
Hiya Ang, don't be, remember I can't grow many of your agaves and what not here. I had a couple of the Alocasia robusta but I killed it through negligence. They like a bright spot with intermediate watering. Humidity seems to be the key.
All the best.

I don't know Tog ... I am very jealous anyway .... I would gladly give up my agaves much as I love them ... to see BIG GIANT Alocasia every single day! Oh the photo opportunitites that would present!!! :-)

Ae ae??? That's my very next purchase!!! :-)

Tog Tan
03-11-2009, 03:24 PM
I don't know Tog ... I am very jealous anyway .... I would gladly give up my agaves much as I love them ... to see BIG GIANT Alocasia every single day! Oh the photo opportunitites that would present!!! :-)


Hey Ang, this is a teaser for ya! :ha: The Colocasia sp (could be a variant of the C odora) is very common in the open areas of the jungles here and they free for the taking! :ha::ha::ha: Compare the size of the leaves to the 'naner on the right. At this size, the leaves are thick and leathery. When small, they are real pale lookin' ugly ducklings and look no where near this. :ha::ha::ha:

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16067><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16067&size=1 border=0></a>

angsaidso
03-11-2009, 03:37 PM
OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!! (((Ang sucking in breath)))

You are a meanie guy!!!! LOLOLOL!!!!

They are my most absolute favorite wunnerfullest bestest ever plants ... OH those EARS!!!!

Can you get me about 15 robustas???? LOLOL!

Ueberwinden
03-11-2009, 03:49 PM
Tog you better be careful Ang will be over there sneaking around digging up your jungle if you keep that up.

Michael

Tog Tan
03-11-2009, 03:59 PM
OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!! (((Ang sucking in breath)))

You are a meanie guy!!!! LOLOLOL!!!!

They are my most absolute favorite wunnerfullest bestest ever plants ... OH those EARS!!!!

Can you get me about 15 robustas???? LOLOL!

Hey Ang, fyi, people here don't grow them as an ornamental plant, they take up too much space. They eat the tubers of this vege. Taro? You know Taro, Yam, Keladi? This is it. Depending on the variety, it can taste really good. You can mash it up like 'taters, cube and stir fry, stew, I can go on...
The big ones from the wild are eaten by the local aborigines, the Orang Asli. Town folk eat the cultivar of the Colocasia esculenta.

Here's another variant of the sp with smaller triangular leaves at approx 3ft. The leaves are thick and darn leathery with a nice semi gloss sheen.
The variants I showed are not available in the market as an ornamental.

<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16068><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16068&size=1 border=0></a>

Ueberwinden
03-11-2009, 04:04 PM
Tog

You are a glutten for punishment telling her about eating a plant she is drooling over.

Michael

Tog Tan
03-11-2009, 04:14 PM
Tog you better be careful Ang will be over there sneaking around digging up your jungle if you keep that up.

Michael

He/she (still haven't figured out yet) can whack all the plants he/she likes over here.The locals will just think Ang is totally looney as no one even gives them a second look. Getting them home would be fun. You could call the plt Q people at the airport to give Ang a surprise party. That b absolute fun! :ha::ha::ha:
Tog

You are a glutten for punishment telling her about eating a plant she is drooling over.

Michael

Wot r f(r)iends 4, eh, Mike?:ha::ha::ha:
I can go on and on cos I am not sleepy yet even though it's 5.14am here and I still have more pix of diff plts.....:ha:

Ueberwinden
03-11-2009, 04:34 PM
I was wondering about that (the time where you are), you must be a night owl. I use to work the overnight shift, it's hard to get back to "normal" life once you work those hours.

Michael

Tog Tan
03-11-2009, 04:55 PM
I was wondering about that (the time where you are), you must be a night owl. I use to work the overnight shift, it's hard to get back to "normal" life once you work those hours.

Michael

Bad news, I have been like this since young. Don't need much sleep. I will probably knock off about 7am and sleep a couple of hours. If I have an appointment, I can get up in time. I don't sleep during the day, not my habit. I can go 2 days without sleep and still look normal, no black eyes or tired lookin'. I used to drive up to Southern Thailand at2am from my place, get in there do all my work and drive back at 10pm and don't reach home till 4am. I will have a coffee and wait for sun rise, then do up all my stuff and sleep when night comes. On top of that I go on 1 meal a day and cgrs the whole day. Conclusion, I have become a plant.....:waving:

Ueberwinden
03-11-2009, 04:59 PM
Tog,

I'm not sure that is the formula for long life!

Michael

Tog Tan
03-11-2009, 05:06 PM
Tog,

I'm not sure that is the formula for long life!

Michael

Born like that. My warranty still looks guddy good good!:ha::ha::ha:

Bob
03-11-2009, 05:29 PM
Heres a 2 year old Alocasia "persian palm" Started out about 4" grew quickly to this(about7' including the pot).
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16077&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16077&ppuser=4095)

angsaidso
03-12-2009, 08:11 PM
Hey guys! Sorry I was absent! Trying to get ready for this home show I am going to at month's end! Firs tof all ... Tog, you are just a bully!!! LOL! You won't even dig those babies up and send them over here for ME????? You guys have a GREAT nursery there that I buy plants from often ... Malesiana. Do you know it???

Secondly, Michael, thank you for sticking up for me! <<<Whine>>> I am NOT going to eat my ears, although I heard they can be delicious!

Bob .... (((gasp, lol))) ... Lari Ann Garner is the person who hybridized the "Persian Palm" although it is not actually called that. She would prolly yell at you!!! She says of all of teh names her poor plant has gotten saddled with by people, the Persian Palm is the worst one! LOL! It is Alocasia x calidora. They are SO pretty and do best pot bound.

One of the biggest Ear problems (I know this is a banana forum but wanted to mention this to anyone who likes Ears) is that people create names for theirs in hopes of getting more money for them. The names change on tehm all of the time. I have bought a few from folks thinking I was getting somethign new and realized I had been bamboozled!!! I have since learned through trial and error and a LOT of research, what's what in the Ear community! I hope I become as versed in bananas someday!! (((Ang listening and learning as she goes))).

Bob
03-13-2009, 08:32 AM
Thanks for the info Ang, I didn't like "Persian palm" all that much anyway. From now on I'll just call it the name I used when I dragged it in to the house for the winter(not fit for print).. Do you have a web site for Melesiana?

angsaidso
03-13-2009, 11:21 PM
Bob, no matter what you decide to call it, it sure is BEAUTFIUL!!!! :-)