View Full Version : Musa Orinoco in Memphis
austinl01
04-01-2009, 05:11 PM
My buddy Alan has taken some photos of Musa 'Orinoco' over the years growing in different people's yards in Memphis, Tennessee. These plants are not protected other than mulch, and some are fruiting. The groves have become huge over the years thanks to the long growing season of the Mid-South. The pics can be found in my photo album or at the link: Memphis Bananas (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1142&ppuser=206).
OK, I'll give you a sneak peek! :)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16393&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16393&ppuser=206)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16394&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16394&ppuser=206)
To me, it looks more like New Orleans than Memphis!
Cheers,
Austin
saltydad
04-01-2009, 05:12 PM
Austin, I'm drooling. Amazing pics. Thanks.
Thanks for posting. The Orinoco's really got a lot going for them, hardiness, height , and edible bananas to boot.
Taylor
04-01-2009, 10:34 PM
You've got to be kidding! Look at that!
"April fools" ?? ? ?
bigdog
04-01-2009, 10:56 PM
You've got to be kidding! Look at that!
"April fools" ?? ? ?
Taylor, it's definitely not an April Fools joke! Alan posted those years ago on another board. They are growing within the heat island of Memphis, which is comparable climate-wise to Atlanta. They are some amazing mats!
Frank
Taylor
04-01-2009, 10:59 PM
Thanks, Frank. I love to get mine looking like that.
Chironex
04-01-2009, 11:59 PM
Who sings that song? Was it Marc Cohn? - "Orinocos in Memphis"
You know which one I mean:
Put on my blue suede shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
W.C. Handy -- won't you look down over me
Yeah I got a first class ticket
But I'm as blue as a boy can be
Orinocos in Memphis
Walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Orinocos in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel..... :0517::ha:
Bananaman88
04-02-2009, 06:16 AM
You're too much, Scot!
austinl01
04-02-2009, 09:05 AM
You've got to be kidding! Look at that!
"April fools" ?? ? ?
Taylor, it's definitely not an April Fools joke! Alan posted those years ago on another board. They are growing within the heat island of Memphis, which is comparable climate-wise to Atlanta. They are some amazing mats!
Frank
Yeah, it's not April Fools! These are really growing in the city of Memphis. Amazing, huh? I think this proves that Orinoco is very cold hardy and can attain incredible heights while fruiting in the Mid-South. They love our heat and humidity all summer long. When the low is near 80 during the dog days of summer, the Orinocos just eat that up! :bananas_b
hammer
04-02-2009, 11:16 AM
i live 60 miles from memphis i hope my orinocos do that good
austinl01
04-02-2009, 08:24 PM
The great news is that Little Rock has a very similar climate to Memphis and Atlanta. In fact, Little Rock is almost exactly the same in terms of average lows and highs compared to Atlanta. Both cities are Zone 8a long-term (30 year average). I haven't crunched the numbers for Memphis, but I'm sure it's Zone 8a as well. Memphis averages a bit more rainfall than Little Rock, however.
If fruiting Orinocos of that size can be grown in Memphis, they most certainly can grow well in other cities in the northern reaches of Zone 8a.
:goteam: :goteam: :goteam: :goteam: Orinoco is a winner in my book!!! :goteam: :goteam: :goteam: :goteam:
hammer
04-02-2009, 09:01 PM
I am wondering if a dwarf orinco would do better in this area than a regular orinco? Do both of them take the same amount if time to bloom, or does the dwarf bloob quicker? Does anyone know of a good place to get a Valentino banana? I am wanting to add this to my collection and I don't know of a good place to get one.
bigdog
04-02-2009, 09:11 PM
The great news is that Little Rock has a very similar climate to Memphis and Atlanta. In fact, Little Rock is almost exactly the same in terms of average lows and highs compared to Atlanta. Both cities are Zone 8a long-term (30 year average). I haven't crunched the numbers for Memphis, but I'm sure it's Zone 8a as well. Memphis averages a bit more rainfall than Little Rock, however.
If fruiting Orinocos of that size can be grown in Memphis, they most certainly can grow well in other cities in the northern reaches of Zone 8a.
:goteam: :goteam: :goteam: :goteam: Orinoco is a winner in my book!!! :goteam: :goteam: :goteam: :goteam:
Austin, Memphis's 30 year average extreme min. low, from 1971-2000, is right at 10F. I'm sure it's a bit higher than that now because of the string of mild winters we've had (before this one, that is!).
My Orinocos have come back from the corm for 2 years in a row prior to this spring, with no protection at all (not even any mulch). I'll be surprised if they make it this year though. We'll see in a month or so.
Frank
Chironex
04-02-2009, 09:17 PM
I am wondering if a dwarf orinco would do better in this area than a regular orinco? Do both of them take the same amount if time to bloom, or does the dwarf bloob quicker? Does anyone know of a good place to get a Valentino banana? I am wanting to add this to my collection and I don't know of a good place to get one.
I have have to plead ignorance. A Valentino banana?
hammer
04-02-2009, 09:28 PM
You should really pay attention when you type (have have). That was my bad I spelled it wrong. What I meant was m. velutina. Now I must pled ignorance.
Chironex
04-02-2009, 09:42 PM
You should really pay attention when you type (have have). That was my bad I spelled it wrong. What I meant was m. velutina. Now I must pled ignorance.
Nice catch, thanks! Doing too many things at once. Normally, I do check everything for grammar and spelling, but you got me on the redundancy.
BTW, plead is misspelled and genus names are always capitalized, as in Musa velutina. Back to you. :ha:
hammer
04-02-2009, 09:46 PM
Well lets stop the fussing and get back to bananas. Do you know where a good place to get one?
Chironex
04-02-2009, 09:55 PM
Shannon, just playing - no offense meant. I have seen them offered by other members here. I would post an ad in the classifieds and within a month or so, someone is bound to have one for you. Mine was beat-up this winter, so the sole pup is for insurance. If it puts out another, I will send it to you.
hammer
04-02-2009, 10:04 PM
I am going to check and see if Green earth offers them but I don't think they do. Thanks for the advice on putting it in the classifieds. I might try it. I just got that Apple Banana and of course the dog got ahold of it, but good news I have a new leaf coming out. I am so happy. Thanks for the offer on the banana. If you get a pup that you want to get rid of let me know I would be happy to pay you for the naner and the shipping.
Chironex
04-03-2009, 12:09 AM
I would also check with ENCANTO FARMS (http://webebananas.com/bvar-T-Z.html) Jon is a member here as well. He's in SanDiego and has lots of bananas to choose. These are also, and more properly called, Musa dasycarpa now. You will still find them referenced as M. velutina. Going-bananas also has them generally Going Bananas of Homestead Florida Banana & Banana Plant Descriptions (http://www.going-bananas.com/bananaplantdescriptions.htm)
Lagniappe
04-03-2009, 12:21 AM
i live 60 miles from memphis i hope my orinocos do that good
Sheesh, I'm in Memphis now! If I had known, I would've brought you one.
I'm in this area (and North of here) at least once every two months. I'll be in Little Rock tomorrow :P
hammer
04-03-2009, 07:01 AM
your so funny
Lagniappe
04-03-2009, 09:49 PM
Huh? :confused:
austinl01
04-03-2009, 10:23 PM
Pete, you've got to stop by here this summer to see my yard!!! It's bare now, of course! Maybe we can go to the house on Pine St. and ask for some pups? :)
Vickie H.
04-04-2009, 09:13 AM
There is a house on Lynnfield rd that has bananas in the back yard. They come up every year from the ground. My friend lives down the street. Also my friends lasiocarpa comes back when mulched at her home in Memphis.
austinl01
04-04-2009, 11:46 PM
Vickie, I've found musella lasiocarpa to be very cold hardy, and I believe it's almost cold hardy as Musa basjoo (if not equal in hardiness). Musa velutina is also very hardy, and you should try this variety as well. Out of these three, Musa velutina is my favorite because I like the little pink bananas it forms.
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