View Full Version : So guys....
Carolina
07-26-2006, 09:11 PM
where are your wives/girlfriends? It just seems kinda odd that there are so few of us girls here and so many of you guys? What's up with that? My husband is just getting into the banana thing, but he seems interested in only my largest plant, which we are hoping is an Ice Cream... and he's hoping for fruit. He'll lose some of his interest if we don't see bananas soon.
How many of you try to hide your "purchases"? It's just starting to get to that point for me. Or at least I'm beginning to feel just a twinge of guilt now and then. Hmm.. or maybe not. :)
mikevan
07-26-2006, 10:21 PM
For the past 3 years or so I ran a side business in addition to my job, and so long as I had a job, my income from the side business was mine to play with - which means lotsa plants. She don't understand it, but she figures - it could be worse! :)
Now my side business *is* my job, so getting funds to buy plants and greenhouse supplies is a bit more complicated - but so long as I meet a minimum weekly "quota", I'm fairly safe. No hiding... yet. :)
And guilt? If I were staring at other women, I'd have reason to feel guilty. If I snuck off to the pub, I'd feel guilty, tho I'd likely drown the guilt. Buying plants? Naw! She knows it's something I love, and after all, it's a growing investment. :)
Grin,
Mike
where are your wives/girlfriends? It just seems kinda odd that there are so few of us girls here and so many of you guys? What's up with that? My husband is just getting into the banana thing, but he seems interested in only my largest plant, which we are hoping is an Ice Cream... and he's hoping for fruit. He'll lose some of his interest if we don't see bananas soon.
How many of you try to hide your "purchases"? It's just starting to get to that point for me. Or at least I'm beginning to feel just a twinge of guilt now and then. Hmm.. or maybe not. :)
Westwood
07-26-2006, 11:04 PM
Im pretty Lucky here i own my home in Florence oregon
Bills are about 800 a month Plants well um If he only new plus I rent out a room .
ShH dont tell i may be having him move so I can use that room for more plants IM addicted Tammy
PaulOdin
07-27-2006, 01:00 PM
After living in our house for 20 years I'm finally paying attention to the yard... and you expect problems w/ my wife?!
I think it has led to all sorts of projects from both of us- she is gardening for the first time, and is currently in the next room upholdstering a chair. That is such a novel idea I'm not sure I spelled it right.
How would the recovery steps go? 1. You need to admit your problem? 2. You need to appologize to those you have harmed? 3. You need to turn your plants into a bondfire of your vanities?
No! That last one was in 15th century Florence.
Paul
Zac in NC
07-27-2006, 02:31 PM
Well I am single but that is because I am a 21, almost 22 year old student and I have't even thought about getting married or anything. So that is basically it for me. I grow all of my plants at my dad's house, which is where I started gardening in the first place.
Zac
Frankallen
07-27-2006, 04:30 PM
I have always been the "Gardener" in my family. My Wife will pot a few flowers each year, but that's about it. She loves these Bananas growing in our Backyard, especially since this year we have Bananas on one of our Plants!! I started growing Bananas last year when I was given a Banana Plant, by a friend. Little did I know it would turn into an absolute Obsession!! I love it when my Grandkids come over and say to me "Paw Paw let's go to the Jungle"..LOL !! I really love fooling with these Plants.... I might not feel the same way this Fall when I have to dig them up and store them In my Outside Bldg.:eek:
Good Luck to Everyone here, :banana_ba
Frank
http://www.pbase.com/frankallen/image/63998365.jpg
Well I don’t think I have to worry about my husband too much. He already thinks I’m nuts because of my hosta addiction. When I started getting into houseplants, he just rolled his eyes. Now all I have been talking about is bananas and other tropicals and wondering what I can grow here in zone 5. He just shakes his head. But he is also a very big help. So far he has never said a word about the plants I have gotten and I don’t think he ever will. But then I have never said anything about his X-Box , or his X-Box 360 and all the games he has.
Jane
momoese
07-27-2006, 09:19 PM
My wife totally love the garden I have created! No problems with buying whatever I want so long as we can afford it at the time.
Carolina
07-27-2006, 09:23 PM
Mike.. a GROWING investment. I like that! And I'm envious of your job.
Tammy.. I won't tell, but if you get caught with another purchase and the eyebrows go up, immediately tell him you bought that for him! :)
Zac.. smart guy that you are.. I have 2 sons a bit older than you.. and 3 grandsons! And if you want to garden at my house.. I'm here in NC. :)
Frank.. wow! That's some growth you've had this summer. Things look great! How about an updated closeup pic of your naners? I gotta hand it to your wife though. She knows what she's doing. Getting the enjoyment of those bananas and you do all the work. Chalk one up for the girl! *LOL*
Jane.. you got a point there. Seems like in this society anymore we all overindulge in -something-. Some things just more healthy than others. But hey...
The other day when we were expecting severe storms with possible hail, my husband said if there was anything I needed to get under shelter, we better be getting on it because he wasn't going out in the middle of a storm. But.. he did it on mother's day so what makes now any different? I'd still hold open the door for him. *Hehe*
Westwood
07-27-2006, 10:57 PM
OH Frank . I see 2 flowers in them Bananas to the far right . looks like a partial stock too?
What type are they Tammy
pitangadiego
07-28-2006, 12:14 AM
"Hi, Honey, I'm home. Should I beat you or trim the bananas?" She chooses bananas every time. My wife isn't much into gardening, so I pretty much have a blank canvas to play with. Been gardening since I was in diapers. When I can't do it anymore, it is time to check out.
Westwood
07-28-2006, 01:32 AM
You mean you wont let her beat you ?
men sometimes just dont let us women have any fun.
Remind me to call her and tell her not to ask next time .Tammy
Frankallen
07-28-2006, 02:38 AM
Carolina- Here is a Photo I took of the "Orinoco Fruit" a few days ago. They are growing pretty fast being the fruit stalk is so small (30 fingers)...
Tammy- Most of the Plants in the previous photo are "Tall Orinocos".
Frank
http://www.pbase.com/frankallen/image/64208496.jpg
Westwood
07-28-2006, 04:25 PM
Frank thats absolutly awesome .
How tall do those get ?
are they growable in Zone 9-9b We get very wet winters rarely got below 40 here in florence oregon where im 5 miles from the beach.Tammy
Frankallen
07-28-2006, 04:45 PM
Tammy....The one that bloomed this year and has fruit was around 10'.......They usually range from 8 to 14 feet here! Yes, I believe you could raise them there! They are pretty hardy and have beautiful foilage!! This Fall I will let you know how the Fruit taste....:gifs_rojo Good Luck!!!
Frank
AnnaJW
07-30-2006, 12:36 PM
My husband has no interest at all in gardening. The only time he even goes in the yard is to grill, or if I drag him out to look at something. Oh, or to get on the ladder to cut a bunch of bananas when I have some to pick.
Since he doesn't pay attention to the yard, it's easy to sneak in new plants. :) Although it's getting harder now because I've had to expand out into the lawn area.
People pretty much think I'm crazy with all of these bananas. Even my dog gives me a "look" when I plant a new banana. :)
Westwood
07-30-2006, 03:26 PM
People pretty much think I'm crazy with all of these bananas. Even my dog gives me a "look" when I plant a new banana. :)
I know that Dog look .. I planted a Crown of thorns where "Partner" my sheltie liked to Dig under the fence . His look said Mom that wont stop me .
The next yr he had eaten the tree ...But hasnt Dug there again.
People around here say those wont grow here i say " Dont Tell my plants that they will die and It will be your fault"..
So now they just Look in amazement.
the kids are learning alot .
Someone stold one of my potted Citrus trees and Banana Trees ( IM pissed) yesterday i got a letter from the electric Company that since my gate is locked . they will Guess at what i owe for the month .
I was home all week why didnt he knock ?
SO im writting a nice letter with amount of Gate locks and replacement of the gate he broke .
the Cara Cara was 3 yrs old and Fruiting.the Banana was a Nice Pup i got from Millet in a 35 G pot and they tried to get my Huge Blue Cement pot too. its now Cracked .
Ill say this the Best Plants are in my Private area where the stealing took place No one goes there but me and the electric meter reader .
My Other plants are planted in the front where there is alot of work to be done . Its too bad they took them from me Instead of the others would of not hurt so much I feel I will get even.
Partner is old now 10 yrs old so i think a new akita puppy will be comming in 5-6 yrs
Tammy
austinl01
07-30-2006, 07:13 PM
Frank, those bananas look great. Okay, tell me how you mow around all of those!
momoese
07-30-2006, 07:24 PM
That's funny, I was thinking the same thing!
mikevan
07-30-2006, 08:04 PM
After mowing in circles and circles and circles around all those trees... drink lotsa ginger tea so you don't lose your cookies. :)
Grin,
Mike
That's funny, I was thinking the same thing!
Carolina
07-30-2006, 08:46 PM
Frank.. small bunch or not.. looks great! And mowing? It's the weedeating that would drive me insane. Well, -would- have driven me insane. I just got this little cordless/rechargeable weed eater. I'm hoping it'll do the whole job without needing to be recharged. My yard is too big for dragging around cords and the gas-powered one is too heavy.
mikevan
07-30-2006, 08:59 PM
Do the big parts with a mower, then get one of these for the small parts - never have to worry about gas again:
Scythe Supply (http://www.scythesupply.com/)
I use one here and it's great! I actually use it on big parts too - can do a lot more than you think you can in a lot less time than you think you can with each 6" deep swipe being 9' wide only taking 3 seconds... A short grass blade would work well if you're just trimming. A dutch blade is great for woody weeds and sapplings, and there's a garden blade that works well around garden plants - ie - nanner plants!
Have fun,
Mike
Frank.. small bunch or not.. looks great! And mowing? It's the weedeating that would drive me insane. Well, -would- have driven me insane. I just got this little cordless/rechargeable weed eater. I'm hoping it'll do the whole job without needing to be recharged. My yard is too big for dragging around cords and the gas-powered one is too heavy.
Frankallen
07-30-2006, 08:59 PM
I get dizzy I go in so many Circles and get my face smacked with big leaves :eek: ........ The Photo above was took 2 weeks ago, so you can Imagine how bad it is now!! Next year I am not going to plant them so close together, so I can use my Riding Mower between the Bananas!! I have a big backyard so I am going to spread them out more!!:04:
Happy Banana Raising,
Frank
austinl01
07-30-2006, 09:20 PM
Frank, how about lining your fence with them? That would make mowing much easier and create an oasis for the kids to play kickball! :banana_ve
Frankallen
07-30-2006, 09:24 PM
Great Idea Austin!! I may try that next year!!
Frank
austinl01
07-30-2006, 09:29 PM
That's my long term plan, Frank. I want to line my entire backyard with basjoos and orinoco bananas to shield the neighbors and create a mini Costa Rica in my own backyard! I think it would look awesome. Has anyone on the board done that?
Carolina
07-30-2006, 09:46 PM
Mike.. I can see myself swinging that thing around. The Grim Reaper lives! *lol* And I don't think that would work so well around my landscaping blocks.
What do you think, Frank? I see all those bricks. :)
I'm lazy. One big mulched area filled with bananas comes to mind.
mikevan
07-30-2006, 09:58 PM
I'm actually planning on creating a border-bed of tall timber bamboo then within the border-bed planting a jungle of nanners, figs, taro, etc - no lawn in this particular bed. It'll be around 300' wide following our dry creek-bed and perhaps 50' wide or so - varying with the topography starting off with, and hopefully parts reaching back another 50' or so... Fingers crossed. Wife said I could do what I wanted with my half of the property and Hawaii is just soooo far away! :)
Be well,
Mike
That's my long term plan, Frank. I want to line my entire backyard with basjoos and orinoco bananas to shield the neighbors and create a mini Costa Rica in my own backyard! I think it would look awesome. Has anyone on the board done that?
Frankallen
07-30-2006, 09:58 PM
My Neighbors already think I'm Crazy!! If they was to see me shouldering and swinging a Scythe, they would probably call the COPS!!:eek: ...LOL :08:
Frank
Carolina
07-30-2006, 10:07 PM
*shudders* bamboo scares me... just about as much as that wicked looking scythe!
In all seriousness, Mike.. tall timber bamboo, is that a type that won't take over your property?
mikevan
07-30-2006, 10:11 PM
You don't actually swing it - the blade stays parallel to the grass and slices it rather than chops it. And you actually get into tight places and around garden structures and whatnot - pretty good precision. Give this a gander - you'll see people - including a couple of young girls - making short work of a pasture, then cutting on a hill, then trimming around a large log pile and rusted out farm equipment that would do in a weed-eater quickly. No weed-eater can remotely hold a candle to a scythe once you've practiced a little:
http://www.scytheconnection.com/adp/video/QtimeLg.html
or:
http://videtis.ucis.dal.ca:8080/dal/video/biol/20040412/Scythe2.mov
I enjoy hearing the birds and not vibrating for hours after mowing. And it's not a muscle-demanding work - as the little girls in the video will indicate. Very meditative... I use it here in some pretty thick brush and tall weeds with nary a problem. And it's great for cutting yourself lotsa mulch material.
Be well,
Mike
Mike.. I can see myself swinging that thing around. The Grim Reaper lives! *lol* And I don't think that would work so well around my landscaping blocks.
What do you think, Frank? I see all those bricks. :)
I'm lazy. One big mulched area filled with bananas comes to mind.
Carolina
07-30-2006, 10:19 PM
hmm.. the video is not running for me. And I was all prepared to go out and get me a black-hooded cloak to go with the scythe. Oh well, bed time.. hope I don't have nightmares. :)
mikevan
07-30-2006, 10:23 PM
http://videtis.ucis.dal.ca:8080/dal/video/biol/20040412/Scythe2.mov may work better.
And a list of other formats are here:
http://www.scytheconnection.com/adp/video/index.html
Be well,
Mike
hmm.. the video is not running for me. And I was all prepared to go out and get me a black-hooded cloak to go with the scythe. Oh well, bed time.. hope I don't have nightmares. :)
momoese
07-31-2006, 12:51 AM
Carolina, I believe all the timber Bamboo are of the clumping variety that is not invasive. I have a wall of Alphonse karr that is clumping to give us some privacy from our neighbor and some sound deadening from the freeway about a half mile away.
AnnaJW
07-31-2006, 01:53 AM
Carolina,
I just got a new corded weed eater because my cordless one ran out of juice before I was even half done. Our yard is also large. The cord is a major pain, but at least it doesn't take me three days to weed wack. :)
AnnaJW
07-31-2006, 02:11 AM
Okay. I said previously that my husband doesn't notice plants. But sometimes he might. :)
So, didn't I go to Home Depot with a friend today and OH NO! - I spot a banana plant. (A red dwarf of some kind, I think)
My friend is trying to tell me I don't need it. Which in turn tells me I DO! I really didn't want my husband to see me bringing in another banana plant, so I quickly got it out of my friend's - very small - car, which we had to STUFF it in, and put it outside the gate to the back yard. I now have it tucked against another plant I haven't planted in the ground yet.
SHHHHH......!!!!!! Don't tell on me! :06:
mikevan
07-31-2006, 08:24 AM
The best bamboo is the runner type - which can be invasive if precautions are not observed. I like the black bamboo, personally. And moso bamboo - 7" culms 75' tall. Drool... And the Giant Japanese Timber bamboo has 6" wide and 72' tall culms. A 12" deep by 12" wide trench dug around the bamboo bed is very effective in preventing invasion - just walk it in the Spring and Fall and snip any rhizomes trying to cross. You can grow different varieties of bamboo side by side this way. If the patch is surrounded by lawn, mowing is also a very effective way to keep it contained. Here's a great source of info and bamboo:
http://www.lewisbamboo.com/
http://www.lewisbamboo.com/pricelst.html
I think little beats bamboo in providing that tropical look in nanner groves and it contrasts the large wide leaves of nanners too. Not to mention wind protection, etc...
Be well,
Mike
Carolina, I believe all the timber Bamboo are of the clumping variety that is not invasive. I have a wall of Alphonse karr that is clumping to give us some privacy from our neighbor and some sound deadening from the freeway about a half mile away.
mikevan
07-31-2006, 08:45 AM
Bamboo does require a level of respect. Here, it only grows where I water and I'm culling that bed because it just isn't doing good up on the dry side of the property - my new beds will be much more bamboo-friendly. In areas that get plenty of water, "barriers" can be created that will contain the bamboo. It's not effort-free tho. You can use a buried barrier and snip rhizomes trying to cross over a couple times a year, or you can dig a trench around the bed - 12" deep by 12" wide - and snip any rhizomes trying to cross. I like the trench method because there's nothing motivating the rhizomes to go deeper than they normally do - no solid barrier to grow under. So, they're predictable and walking the ditch a couple times a year with a pair of shears is often all you need to do. So, it's possible to live peacefully under the dictatorship of bamboo... er, I mean - co-exist peacefully with bamboo. :)
So - plan carefully. Don't plant up beside a building thinking the slab will stop it - the rhizomes will grow under the building and pop up on the other side. Always provide a barrier. And enjoy the bamboo! You can get sweet bamboo and harvest the shoots. Other bamboos can have differing levels of bitterness that needs to be cooked out, but sweet bamboo lives up to it's name. It's shorter tho. I like giant bamoo - moso, japanese timber, nigra, etc... It takes nearly a decade for a small clump to mature to the giant culms, but it's worth the wait!
Be well,
Mike
*shudders* bamboo scares me... just about as much as that wicked looking scythe!
In all seriousness, Mike.. tall timber bamboo, is that a type that won't take over your property?
Westwood
07-31-2006, 04:21 PM
Okay. I said previously that my husband doesn't notice plants. But sometimes he might. :)
So, didn't I go to Home Depot with a friend today and OH NO! - I spot a banana plant. (A red dwarf of some kind, I think)
My friend is trying to tell me I don't need it. Which in turn tells me I DO! I really didn't want my husband to see me bringing in another banana plant, so I quickly got it out of my friend's - very small - car, which we had to STUFF it in, and put it outside the gate to the back yard. I now have it tucked against another plant I haven't planted in the ground yet.
SHHHHH......!!!!!! Don't tell on me! :06:
ANNA its like this
what they say
you dont need another Plant
what we hear
You BLAH need another plant ..
Grins Tammy
AnnaJW
07-31-2006, 04:33 PM
Tammy,
EXACTLY! LOL!
Zac in NC
07-31-2006, 04:56 PM
I just got a start of Moso froma friend who got it from a friend in SC who has several large groves. (For those who know him, its Mike T in Marietta, SC) I cannot wait for this bamboo to grow, as it is a beautiful one. Plus, once it is established, you can plant various things among the culms, such ar Trachycarpus and maybe even Muse Basjoo.
Zac
Carolina
07-31-2006, 09:55 PM
When I lived in Panama, we had a bamboo grove out back. I can't ever remember it running badly, but then I was young. Plus, we had constant lawn maintenance provided by the good ole US gov. For me, the clumping bamboo has a different feel/look/whatever and doesn't have the same appeal. I've read so many horror stories and for someone like me.. (lazy).. running bamboo should be a no no, out-lawed. However, it is lovely, and the wind blowing through.. would almost make it worth the work. Even for me. :)
Anna.. about that cordless weed-eater.. that's bad news. Maybe I need two, one to use while the other is charging. Gah!
*High-fives Tammy and Anna* We know how to work around our men!
Westwood
08-01-2006, 02:31 AM
Carolina WE Need to talk .
I was Born in NC Wolmack army hospital..
3 yrs After that we moved to Panama ..
then all over the world for a few months and sometimes a yr at a time .
Can you send me some fireflies ? I really miss them ...
PS what i miss about Panama IS the Fruits in the back yard Cherimoya ,soursop, avacodos,pamagranets, and so on what i dont miss
those Crunchy raisons in the cerial,rice and um ?
remember them the lacoocarachas ? LOL Tammy
Carolina
08-01-2006, 09:34 AM
Tammy.. I was born in Gitmo, Cuba (Navy)
In Panama, I went to Coco Solo elementary school, then Cristobal Junior/Senior High. Go Tigers! Lived in Coco Solo and Gatun, right beside the lighthouse that overlooks the Gatun Locks. Coolest!
Ginups, ice cream beans, corbina in butter sauce, Gatun Yacht Club, Breakers Club lagoon, that darned rickety bumpy train. Some of my fav things.
What I don't miss.. those danged migrating land crabs and the crunch that comes with them.
We didn't have any roaches where I lived, or flies. Our dog never saw a fly until we spent a week in the interior. Sand fleas, yes yes yes. Don't miss them either.
Anyways.. way off topic. Email me if you want.
Carolina
08-01-2006, 09:43 AM
Just one more piece of nostalgia for Tammy...
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=937&size=1
BobbyinNY
08-01-2006, 01:43 PM
My wife loves it.... My largest banana is 15ft tall now... She tells me all time that I have the biggest Banana in New York.
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