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SoBe Musa
08-27-2009, 07:56 PM
Just got my paper publication of Southern Gardening recently, here is a nice Article about Thai Black:

Article:

Black Thai banana offers staggering beauty
By Norman Winter

MSU Horticulturist
Central Mississippi Research & Extension Center

The Black Thai banana was one of the most sought-after bananas at the early spring Mississippi Garden and Patio Shows. If you were like me, you missed the chance to grab one for yourself. My friend Barbara Harvey in Kosciusko did not miss out on the opportunity to brighten up her landscape with this banana.

The Black Thai can add height to a landscape. Some commercial growers suggest that it can reach almost 18 feet. (Photo by Norman Winter)Barbara says her Black Thai seems to grow a foot a day. I was shocked to see how much it had grown from April through the first of July. Some commercial producers suggest that it can grow to 18 feet tall and reach a second story roof. This plant makes you want to invite the neighbors over to cook out and sit and watch it grow. The Black Thai is the perfect choice for those of us who love tropical plants.

A few weeks ago, I told you about the new and popular Siam Ruby banana, which is dark red with lime green variegation. The Black Thai differs in that it has a deep purple, almost black, color from its pseudostem, or trunk, up to the petioles of the large leaves. The leaves are slightly thinner than most banana plants’ leaves; if you don’t like the torn island look, protect them from the wind.

Botanically speaking, the Black Thai is a selection of Musa balbisiana. The species has played a critical role in banana hybridizing. It is also an important species for the production of yarn and fiber. Additionally, it is another cold-hardy banana choice. The Black Thai is close to rivaling the Japanese fiber banana Musa basjoo, able to survive in zone 7 and possibly zone 6.

Winter hardiness may be attributed to how well the soil drains. There are spots in my landscape that stay wet from December through March. This situation is not suitable for bananas except in zones 9 and higher. But if you have a fertile, organically rich soil, you will see positive results from planting it on raised beds with a good layer of mulch.

While the north has been inundated with rain, the south has been battling heat and dryness. In these brutal conditions the tropical plants have risen to the occasion, and the Black Thai banana is no exception.

A benefit of the Black Thai is that it suckers, or produces new growth shoots. Its shoots give you more to spread around the landscape, share with friends or improve the chances of a spring return in the event of an abnormally cold winter. The Black Thai may be the ultimate thriller plant in a large atrium tub. Like all bananas, it will need plenty of water and some sunlight to reach its true potential.

After my Siama Ruby column, I received a few e-mails and letters from readers who ended up not liking the bananas and wanting to get rid of them. If you are of this mindset, then by all means avoid the Black Thai.

On the other hand, if you have enjoyed trips to tropical destinations such as Martinique or Guadeloupe, you will certainly like the look the Black Thai can help you create at home. Combine them with gingers, elephant ears and hibiscus and you will have smooth sailing, Caribbean style.

-30-

Released: July 9, 2009
Contact: Norman Winter, (601) 857-2284

Article Link Black Thai banana offers staggering beauty (07-09-2009) (http://msucares.com/news/print/sgnews/sg09/sg090709.html)

Here is my new Thai [B]lack:
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/goingbana024.jpg

austinl01
08-27-2009, 08:24 PM
Nice read! Are there any pictures of a mature plant?

SoBe Musa
08-27-2009, 10:29 PM
here's the picture in the article:
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/thaiblack.jpg

austinl01
08-27-2009, 10:39 PM
It looks awesome! Please keep us posted on your plant's progress this winter as us northern gardeners see our bananas take a nice long sleep.

Kim
08-27-2009, 11:17 PM
It looks awesome!

I agree with austinl01. I can see it's definately a clean designed and pampared garden. Oh yes, the Thai Black looks very healthy also.

:woohoonaner:

austinl01
08-28-2009, 09:45 AM
Emy,

Where did you get your Black Thai?

Thanks.

SoBe Musa
08-28-2009, 10:24 AM
I got it on Thursday at going bananas in Homestead, Fl - goingbananas.com
I am not promoting it ,but it was a great second experience :
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/goingbana014.jpg

http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/goingbana010.jpg

http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/goingbana011.jpg

http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/goingbana003.jpg

austinl01
08-28-2009, 04:00 PM
Thanks for the pics. I have ordered from them before. It's nice to see pics from their plantation! I must get a Thai Black in the spring now.

Bob
08-28-2009, 04:07 PM
Ditto for me, I have had good luck with all my plants from going bananas and have talked to Don on the phone and emailed Katie. Very nice people with great plants.

SoBe Musa
08-28-2009, 04:30 PM
i also got :
Left to right :
Blue Java
Siam Ruby
Orinoco
Brazilian
Thai Black (small cont)
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/goingbana023.jpg

SoBe Musa
08-28-2009, 04:35 PM
my favorites from Going Bananas is a Kendria and Saba that i got back on May of 2007.
i waiting for then to fruit!
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/Kandrian7-25-20093-57-24PM5120x3657.jpg

http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/Kandrian7-21-20095-17-58PM5120x3657.jpg

coast crab
08-28-2009, 09:37 PM
My Thai Black came from ebay and spent last winter in a friend's greenhouse. I planted a 2 ft plant early in the spring and it is now about 8 ft tall with 2 pups. This one is a real beauty (check it out in my gallery)! I'm eager to see how it makes it through the winter.

I get the publication too and was glad to see the article, thanks for sharing.

Russell

SoBe Musa
09-24-2009, 11:02 AM
Here’s a little up date .
I Still figuring out where are going to plant it. !!to many bana .....
Meanwhile it see to be growing ok.in the container.
SEP 09 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/SEP09200914.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/SEP09200912.jpg
SEP 12 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/SEP092009PLANTS2.jp

http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/SEP092009PLANTS3.jpg
SEP 24 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BlackThaiSep24200900
7.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BlackThaiSep24200902
.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BlackThaiSep242009018.jpg

SoBe Musa
09-24-2009, 11:05 AM
Sep 24 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BlackThaiSep242009007.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BlackThaiSep242009021.jpg

CValentine
09-24-2009, 11:56 AM
Growing great!!! :D ~Cheryl

coast crab
09-24-2009, 06:57 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=23779&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23779)

That's just about what mine looked like when I planted it last April.

R

xmoose
09-26-2009, 01:25 PM
Does anyone have any Thai black pups that they would be willing to part with ? Im just getting a banana garden started and thought a black would look good in there.. If anyone has one just let me know....
thanks

mckoinld
09-26-2009, 10:10 PM
Check ebay I got 2 there. 1 from hirts and 1 from hortus119. The one from hortus was bigger on arival but they are almost the same size now. Both were nice plants.

planetrj
09-27-2009, 02:02 AM
Check ebay I got 2 there. 1 from hirts and 1 from hortus119. The one from hortus was bigger on arival but they are almost the same size now. Both were nice plants.

I would recommend to get from someone else other than Hirts (SeedMart). They just don't know bananas enough, and I've had about 50% mortality rate with them, just because when packing, they either are dried out, or they are over-watered, then by the time you get them planted, they've already begun rotting, and too late, before you know it, you're dead then they give you a really hard time to replace, because they ask why you didn't inform them of the problem when it first arrived. They also seem like they send them too soon, and they are most often VERY tiny with not enough stable root development.

coast crab
09-27-2009, 10:09 AM
I've bought from both and had no trouble from either. The Thai black in my pictures came from Hirt's last winter and was a beautiful, healthy plant when it arrived. I potted it up and put it in a friend's greenhouse for the remainder of the winter and planted it in March. Karl at hortus119 lives near my parents a couple of hours away and is a good guy. I bought my Ensetes from him.

Russell

SoBe Musa
11-07-2009, 01:40 PM
Black Thai
Just planted in a 10gal container and is in my recovery zone along with a Sian Ruby,coleus,sweet potatoe vines etc.
I will follow the growing from now on.
Thanks

Nov/06/2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BLACKTHAINOV062009.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BLACKTHAINOV062009jpg3.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BLACKTHAINOV062009jpg5.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BLACKTHAINOV062009jpg4.jpg

jfern
11-10-2009, 12:48 PM
Hola Sobemusa

He Visto Las Fotos Que Presentaste Al Foro Y Veo Algunas Plantas En Contenedores Muy Alargadas Como Si Hubiesen Estado En Sombra Y Esto Causara Este Efecto O Se Aplico Mucho Nitrogeno.

En Otra Foto Hay Plantas Ya Mayores Pero Tienen Muchas Hojas Secas Y Esto No Es Recomendable Hay Que Deshojar, Tambien Pude Observar Varios Hijos En, Puedes Dejar Como Maximo Dos Y El Rsto O Eliminarlos O Trasplantarlos A Otro Lugar.

Tambien Observe Un Mata Mayor Cerca De Un Arbol Frondoso Eto Conlleva A Una Mayor Altura De La Planta Y Por Efecto De Sombra La Floración Se Puede Prolongar .

Acerca Del Saba Este Tiene Pocas Hojas Y No Entiendo Porque, Ya Que Este Cultivar Es Resistente A Enfermedades Fungosas(sigatoka) .

bikoro child
11-10-2009, 01:01 PM
Yes you are right Jerry Antonio ,but maybe he has no place in full sun for growing bananas...

SoBe Musa
12-09-2009, 11:33 AM
Here is some updates:
Thai Black, a sure fast growing Banana compare to a Siam Ruby.A 25 days catch up!

NOV 15 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BThaiRedNov152009078.jpg
NOV 28 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BThaiRedNov282009.jpg
DEC 01 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BThaiRedDec12009.jpg
DEC 09 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BThaiRedDec092009IMG_7462.jpg

Dalmatiansoap
12-09-2009, 11:41 AM
WOW!
Impresive ;)
:woohoonaner:

SoBe Musa
12-09-2009, 12:06 PM
DEC 09 2009
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/pLANTSdEC09200921001.jpg

jfern
12-09-2009, 03:18 PM
Felicidades Emily

Hermoso El Desarrollo De Tu Planta Comparada Con El Siam Ruby, Pero Me Parece Ver En La Foto Que El Siam Ruby Tiene Vainas Secas En El Pseudotallo Y Me Parece Ver Que Hay Manchas Y Puede Ser Erwinia. Ojala Me Equivoque

LilRaverBoi
12-09-2009, 03:57 PM
Why is there no page for Thai Black in the Wiki? I've been trying to find more info on this variety but haven't found much. Maybe it's under another name in there?

cherokee_greg
12-09-2009, 04:21 PM
try this one

Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai' - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_balbisiana_%27Black_Thai%27)

SoBe Musa
01-29-2010, 08:03 PM
Update:

JAN 29 2010
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BLACKTHAIJAN292010035-1.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BLACKTHAIJAN292010035.jpg

And Sian Ruby pups!I think the cold kill the mother plant
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/SIANRUBIJAN292010032.jpg

Dalmatiansoap
01-30-2010, 01:59 AM
pure beauty
:woohoonaner:

natej740
01-30-2010, 04:29 PM
wow it's lookin nice....I'm hoping to get a thai black this spring I can't wait. I'm sure it won't look as nice as yours in that miami sun...lol

BonoboJoe
02-15-2010, 02:58 PM
We planted a foot tall pup last April and it was 10 feet by July. One of the happiest most vigorous bananas I've experienced. Ours is in partial shade tucked in next to a Live Oak and was happy as a clam. It laughed at 25 with no protection, but 22 was too much. We cut it back and it's grown fairly nicely since.

coast crab
02-15-2010, 03:17 PM
Exactly the same experience here - I could have almost written that word for word!

Russell

Kylie2x
02-16-2010, 11:46 AM
Great Pic's!!!
Thai Black is one of my Fav's..Def a fast grower..

Kylie

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/kylie2x/006-5.jpg

SoBe Musa
02-16-2010, 04:32 PM
Great Pic's!!!
Thai Black is one of my Fav's..Def a fast grower..

Kylie

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/kylie2x/006-5.jpg
Beautiful photo..can i ask you.. I see the picture is from 2006 Do you got to see a fruit or flower?:goteam:

Kylie2x
02-16-2010, 06:38 PM
OOOPPS!! That should be '08.. I forgot to reset the camera when I changed batteries.. I held it dormant the first yr and it is in the house and actively growing this Winter.. So maybe this yr..:03:

natej740
03-13-2010, 05:05 PM
I finally broke down a bought a Thai Black this week. Its just a little thing now but i cant wait to see how big it gets this year.

SoBe Musa any updates on your plant id like to see how big it is now..

SoBe Musa
03-17-2010, 12:45 PM
Moved to a different location - some wind damages..still beautiful.
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BLACKTHAIMARCH172010.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/BLACKTHAIMARCH1720102.jpg

Jack Daw
03-17-2010, 12:54 PM
I also like the coco palms, SoBe. Very nice. You gave it more shade and less sun, will it emphasize the coloring?
Are those coco palms for the front yard? The one you will be re-organizing soon?
:waving:

Dalmatiansoap
03-17-2010, 01:19 PM
Love that colouring ;)
:woohoonaner:

cherokee_greg
03-17-2010, 01:45 PM
Love it. I will have to try another one. Looks like mine croaked.

raggedyredhead
04-12-2010, 10:52 PM
Hey everyone, I just ordered 2 Thai black from ebay. Ad said 5 to 12", quite a range in size. Probably closer to 5. I saw them and had to have. Don't know if they pup. Anyone
know anything about them?
Thanks Raggedy

Dean W.
04-16-2010, 10:58 AM
I think my Musa Balbisiana is dead to the ground. I wonder if I should dig around and look?

Dean W.
04-27-2010, 03:35 PM
I think my Musa Balbisiana is dead to the ground. I wonder if I should dig around and look?

:woohoonaner:I just noticed a small pup coming up!:woohoonaner:

cherokee_greg
04-27-2010, 04:00 PM
:woohoonaner:I just noticed a small pup coming up!:woohoonaner:

I think maybe mines coming back also. The reason why I say think is because I had it in a pot in my unheated greenhouse after winter I had put some of what I thought was dead in the ground well most of them started growing and I beleve one is the thai black. Im very happy because I really like that banana plant :woohoonaner:

stumpy4700
04-27-2010, 04:47 PM
I think maybe mines coming back also. The reason why I say think is because I had it in a pot in my unheated greenhouse after winter I had put some of what I thought was dead in the ground well most of them started growing and I beleve one is the thai black. Im very happy because I really like that banana plant :woohoonaner:

Good luck. Thats my next conquest for a naner. I'm still waiting for you guys to have good luck overwintering them before I do.:nanadrink:

coast crab
04-27-2010, 04:57 PM
My biggest pstem from last summer is dead, but the 2 pups are back. One is already waist high with 2 leaves, the other is not so far along.

Russell

Caloosamusa
04-27-2010, 07:43 PM
I have one planted on my farm that made it, I had to leave 5 others outdoors in pots. I lost two of those. They are a tough Musa. Has anyone information as to if it is really balbisiana? :2239:

natej740
04-27-2010, 07:53 PM
I have a small one i ordered off of Sandy. Im hoping i can get a pup off of it this year. If i can im going to try to overwinter the mom in the ground like i did my Basjoos. The wiki says they are hardy to Zone 6 so what the hell ill sacrifice the mom if i get a pup.

cherokee_greg
04-28-2010, 08:55 AM
I have a small one i ordered off of Sandy. Im hoping i can get a pup off of it this year. If i can im going to try to overwinter the mom in the ground like i did my Basjoos. The wiki says they are hardy to Zone 6 so what the hell ill sacrifice the mom if i get a pup.

I received another small one from Brians Botanicals because I thought I lost my other one here is my new one.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=31154&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=31154&ppuser=5959)

Dean W.
04-28-2010, 09:44 AM
I think my Musa Balbisiana is dead to the ground. I wonder if I should dig around and look?

I posted earlier that my Thai black was a Musa Balbisana I don't know why I was thinking that.

cherokee_greg
04-28-2010, 11:03 AM
I posted earlier that my Thai black was a Musa Balbisana I don't know why I was thinking that.

Why its not ? I thought it was is this not the same as a black Thai ? Now im mixed up :woohoonaner: check this out Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai' - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_balbisiana_%27Black_Thai%27) :02:

Dean W.
04-28-2010, 12:17 PM
Okay, thanks for clearing that up. I thought I had read that somewhere before. Plus my plant does look like that when a little older. :goteam:

SoBe Musa
05-27-2010, 05:42 PM
Today's pic of a first pup..i moved it to a bigger pot about 2 1/2 week a go!is growing pretty fast.
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_1114.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_1120.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_1121.jpg

natej740
05-27-2010, 08:50 PM
It is looking nice Emily, It looks huge. How tall do you think it is now? Mine is about a foot or more now when i got it it was just a little TC plant. Im gonna get a pic of it tomorrow and put it on here finally. Glad you finally got a pup I hope mine does before winter.

palmtree
05-27-2010, 09:10 PM
I bought mine a few weeks ago and then it wilted the next day and almost died but now its got a new leaf pushing out (from the soil to the top of the stem, not including the leaves, its already 3 feet tall). Im looking forward to some great growth. Its in a pot for now but if it grows well than Ill put it in the ground. I hear they can survive a zone 7. Im not sure if I would risk it, but if I get some pups eventually, I might try one.

Good luck and beautiful (and HUGE) plant! :)

AmberNichole
05-28-2010, 11:34 AM
I just got one today from hortus119 off ebay. I can't say enough on how well packaged and healthy it is! I can't wait to see how it does when i put it in the ground!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32110&size=1

CoryS
06-01-2010, 11:07 AM
Thanks much for the great thread and awesome photos! I just ordered one from Greenearth and will post photos later. :D

SoBe Musa
07-10-2010, 02:20 PM
Is growing pretty fast ...
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0715.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0718.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0669.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0766.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0721.jpg

kaczercat
07-10-2010, 02:48 PM
This plant does grow fast ! look at those pictures ! wooo thnx for posting them. flower should be here this fall it looks !!!!!! yeyahhhh :) - does anyone know what the fruit looks like from this plant?

CoryS
07-11-2010, 09:18 PM
This plant does grow fast ! look at those pictures ! wooo thnx for posting them. flower should be here this fall it looks !!!!!! yeyahhhh :) - does anyone know what the fruit looks like from this plant?

I second the "what does the fruit look like?"! :D From what I saw in the wiki, it only fruits in zone 9 or higher. The bananas are not seedless but the wiki has no photo of the fruit.
Musa balbisiana 'Black Thai' - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_balbisiana_%27Black_Thai%27)

SoBe Musa
07-23-2010, 08:02 PM
It over grow the pot ..decided to plant it in the ground ..
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0835.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0833.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0816.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_0820.jpg

coast crab
07-23-2010, 08:58 PM
I was wondering how long you were going to keep that poor thing in a pot. Now you'll really see some growth.

Russell

Dean W.
07-24-2010, 05:18 AM
Looking good, nice soil too.

coast crab
07-27-2010, 09:41 AM
Last summer my big plant put up 2 pups, but all 3 froze to the ground last winter. The pups came back strong, but the mother plant did nothing. Maybe there was a flower in there when it froze, I didn't think to split the pstem to check.

Anyway, here's how the pups look this morning.


<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34865&ppuser=5745><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34865&size=1 border=0></a>

SoBe Musa
07-27-2010, 10:36 AM
Last summer my big plant put up 2 pups, but all 3 froze to the ground last winter. The pups came back strong, but the mother plant did nothing. Maybe there was a flower in there when it froze, I didn't think to split the pstem to check.

Anyway, here's how the pups look this morning.


<a href=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34865&ppuser=5745><img src=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34865&size=1 border=0></a>
Russell,
The Beautiful come back baby nice to see it strong again…following her is the reason I got my Thai.:ha:

coast crab
07-27-2010, 06:38 PM
Russell,
The Beautiful come back baby nice to see it strong again…following her is the reason I got my Thai.:ha:

Wow!

Emily, thanks, that's sweet of you to say. I do have to admit that this is a favorite of mine, it has a look all its own. I don't even know if it produces edible fruit - and I don't care!!

Russell

Ueberwinden
07-27-2010, 10:22 PM
Just curious if anyone is growing Thai Black in the ground in cooler zones (zone 6-7) I want to see how you are dealing with cold issues and site prep.

Michael

Marisha - Atlanta
08-19-2010, 01:33 PM
This was a great post. I'm growing Thai black and it has not grown very much at all. Perhaps that due to the site (shade). I believe it also needs some fertilizer. I have a Saba that growing like gangbusters but the Thai black is only 3 feet tall.

I know there are reports of this baby coming back in Zone 7B but I'm digging mine up for the Winter and storing it in the greenhouse.

Linda_GER
08-19-2010, 02:29 PM
I`m also growing a Black Thai, but it`s still a baby. I`ll wait until I have some backup copies from it, before I try to overwinter it outside.

BonoboJoe
08-19-2010, 03:06 PM
I think if you give it a little time you should see quite a bit of growth with at least a couple pups. We planted one out last spring in pretty deep shade that had grown up to about 10 feet with two pups by the end of the summer. It went through a drop down to 25 degrees fine, but then we had a following freeze a couple weeks later with excessive amounts of rain following that seem to knock it back. We had to cut it back fairly close to the ground, now it's back to close to 9 feet with a couple new pups.

The initial plant was in a gallon pot with about a foot of growth, so it didn't start that big, but it may have been just a happy plant. I'm guessing most of the south and southeast is getting about the same growing conditions so far this summer if the Weather Channel reports are correct, so hopefully everyone's plants respond as well as mine.

jimhardy
08-19-2010, 04:47 PM
I have a couple I planted in April,about 2-3" tall.
They are maybe 7-8' to the top of the tallest leaf now.


I plan on overwintering.

I will post some pics next week when I am home-mine are also off e-bay.

Edit-I just remembered I have a pic from 8-6-10




http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/8-06-10005.jpg

Great post guys/gals:bananas_b


<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/big2_cond/language/www/US/IA/Fairfield.gif" alt="Click for Fairfield, Iowa Forecast" border="0" height="60" width="468" />

SoBe Musa
08-19-2010, 06:40 PM
Beautiful garden love the Thai Black,Siam Ruby..and Purple Castor bean..and Sago palm, washintomia palm ,please post more pics...

jimhardy
08-20-2010, 09:11 AM
Thanks Sobe-
here are some other pictures from around the garden,they are from a few weeks to a month ago-I will get some more of the Thai black next week.


C.cooperi

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=7-28-10004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/7-28-10004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Canna stuttgart-for those of us that can't afford Ae Ae yet!(-;

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=7-31-10003.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/7-31-10003.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

4'+ leaf on Colocasia Thai giant-somebody stole the biggest leaf last
week )-:

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=7-28-10001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/7-28-10001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>





This is supposedly Itinerans????????????

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=7-31-10007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/7-31-10007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=8-06-10007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/8-06-10007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=8-06-10012.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/8-06-10012.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=8-06-10004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/8-06-10004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=7-31-10014.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/7-31-10014.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Trunk of Thai black

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=7-31-10004.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/7-31-10004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

One of the Thai blacks trunk is black and one is not-yet?

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=7-31-10005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/7-31-10005.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Thanks for looking!:bananas_b

LilRaverBoi
08-20-2010, 09:21 PM
4'+ leaf on Colocasia Thai giant-somebody stole the biggest leaf last
week )-:
Wow, what a random thing to steal! Weird....and it kinda sucks. But to be optimistic about it, you might have stimulated an interest in them in plants!

CoryS
08-21-2010, 12:44 AM
If they want a Thai Black banana plant they can steal mine, LOL! It doesn't like my zone very much. :(

jimhardy
08-21-2010, 09:42 AM
Stealing the leaf they did really put a damper on this plant,it is blooming now though.

The nice thing is I got to watch it for the better part of the season,the really nice thing is-that this is a small town and if I see it(the leaf) again heads will roll!

jimhardy
08-28-2010, 01:48 PM
Here are the Thai black Nanar pictures.

Trunk-

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=8-22-10055.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/8-22-10055.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


2 Thai blacks

<a href="http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/?action=view&current=8-22-10056.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm220/orbea641/8-22-10056.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

coast crab
08-28-2010, 01:56 PM
Jim, I'd bet your itenerans is actually yunnanensis.

Russell

jimhardy
08-28-2010, 02:41 PM
I agree,all the pups are right next to the stalk.

I did order some Itinerans seeds,so with any luck I can compare next year!(-:

SoBe Musa
10-12-2010, 10:35 PM
Just to show some progress/SEP-OCT 2010
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_1843.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_1844-1.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_1840.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_1635.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_1637.jpg

kaczercat
10-13-2010, 05:56 AM
this plant is truly amazing im gonna have to get one of theses. just a stunning plant ! thanks for sharing :)

natej740
10-13-2010, 10:08 AM
How tall do you think it is now?

SoBe Musa
10-13-2010, 04:38 PM
I think about 14 or 15 feet.
Growing alone the Saba.

How tall do you think it is now?

Bob
10-13-2010, 04:46 PM
What a beautiful plant! wish I had more room... and a warmer climate:ha:

jimhardy
12-06-2010, 09:17 AM
This is my first year storing BTBP in the basement,has anybody tried this with Black Thai banana plants?

natej740
03-14-2011, 01:17 PM
Any updates Emily? That plant should have a flower soon! Id love to see some more pics.

jimhardy
03-14-2011, 02:56 PM
Really gorgeous!

Thai black are the fastest banana plants I have ever seen.

Mine went from 4-5" to 12' in one outdoor growing season
here in Iowa.

nannerfunboi
03-14-2011, 04:47 PM
great pics jimhardy!! LOL i dont have any thai black.. guess that
means one thing.. LOL i may have to put in a cool room greenhouse to house
all these nanners overwinter.. :ha:
i see you mulch your plants alot.. do u do that to keep down weeds,and
hold moisture?
again.. great on your sucess :woohoonaner:

natej740
03-14-2011, 05:17 PM
I got mine as a little TC plant and kept it in a pot and brought it inside this winter and it got about 7 or 8 foot including the pot it is gonna go in the ground in less than a month and I can't wait it's gonna get huge this year.

kaczercat
03-14-2011, 09:15 PM
I got mine as a little TC plant and kept it in a pot and brought it inside this winter and it got about 7 or 8 foot including the pot it is gonna go in the ground in less than a month and I can't wait it's gonna get huge this year.

I know it's incredible how thick the p-stem gets and the hight after only a few months in the ground. always comes down to location planted, sun water and fert !

jimhardy
03-15-2011, 09:45 AM
great pics jimhardy!! LOL i dont have any thai black.. guess that
means one thing.. LOL i may have to put in a cool room greenhouse to house
all these nanners overwinter.. :ha:
i see you mulch your plants alot.. do u do that to keep down weeds,and
hold moisture?
again.. great on your sucess :woohoonaner:




Yea,mos def.

Also looks nice!

Because I have so many palms and what not also,I can't
plant to much stuff right around them as I want them to
get maximum sunlight and because I have to leave room for their winter covers.

My Thai black bananas are in the basement right now and are about
6' tall-after going from 5" to 12'...I can't wait to see what they do
this year with that kind of a head start!!!!

I am getting Musa Ae Ae in a few days,I can't wait to plant my Rowe red,
Siam and Ae Ae together,should be a beautiful contrast with all the variegation:woohoonaner:

SoBe Musa
03-26-2011, 12:55 AM
March/18/2011
Growing next to Saba bananas ,reaching so far 25ft.
-Thai Black to the right of picture-
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_2557.jpg
No Sign of flag leaf.
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_2553.jpg

jimhardy
04-16-2011, 04:34 PM
That's cool!!

I have a Saba planted right next to my Black Thai bananas,
it's just a baby though.

RayS
04-16-2011, 06:00 PM
Jim, Did you over winter potted or bare root?

jimhardy
04-16-2011, 06:09 PM
The Saba was in a pot in a sunny window all winter.

The Black Thai bananas were overwintered in a cool basement.

Dean W.
04-16-2011, 07:17 PM
Planted a little one today.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=41853&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=41853)

jimhardy
04-17-2011, 04:25 PM
That's a beauty,you won't believe with lot's of sun/water how fast they grow!

Dean W.
04-17-2011, 04:32 PM
Thanks, I need to protect it come winter.

natej740
04-17-2011, 04:34 PM
mine just broke in half because of wind up here....it sucks I hope it will make it...

kaczercat
04-17-2011, 04:44 PM
mine just broke in half because of wind up here....it sucks I hope it will make it...

you have that crazy wind on Ohio too? and is it cool there? in the mid 40's? freezing here today

kaczercat
04-17-2011, 04:51 PM
And seeing Emily's pic from end of march, How tall will that plant get ? holy crapp I read they can reach 18 feet. won't be too long now !!

natej740
07-30-2011, 09:30 PM
Sorry Emily I have to know how huge this plant is now??? mine never came back so if anyone has a pup for sale or trade let me know...

palmtree
07-31-2011, 01:09 AM
Thai black impressed me this year! Last year it was my slowest banana, but now that its in the ground, its one of my fastest. Unfortuantely someone broke into it so it lost a good 3 feet of pseudostem (had about a foot left). Now its almost to where it was last year and it should get to about 6 feet by the end of the summer (thats 5 feet of growth in a year).
My Saba (since Sabas were mentioned in this thread) has been a disappointment. The plant does not gain much height with each leaf, unlike my Ice Cream banana which has grown less leaves, but gotten much taller than the Saba.
I hope you guys can update on the Thai Blacks in this thread! They must be giants now!

natej740
09-24-2011, 02:40 PM
Any updates Emily?

jimhardy
09-24-2011, 03:38 PM
I think a cold spring stunted mine this year-not much growth

BonoboJoe
09-26-2011, 07:13 AM
The first year we had this it shot up really fast. The past couple it's been quite moderate. Granted we were coming back from freezes and going into extremely hot, drought conditions, but these are nicely irrigated areas. Currently my tallest is about 9 feet.

SoBe Musa
09-29-2011, 08:44 PM
Here are today's pics:
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_2709.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_2748.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_2720.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_2718-1.jpg

cherokee_greg
09-29-2011, 11:35 PM
very nice

SoBe Musa
11-18-2011, 10:49 AM
August 2009 - Nov 2011 I think this it it ! Maybe Gaby can tell us for sure..is raining in Miami now.. I will take pics better and closer.
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3602-1.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3599.jpg

sunfish
11-18-2011, 11:15 AM
August 2009 - Nov 2011 I think this it it ! Maybe Gaby can tell us for sure..is raining in Miami now.. I will take pics better and closer.
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3602-1.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3599.jpg

:woohoonaner:

natej740
11-18-2011, 07:27 PM
Wow....congrats! Has anyone out there had a Thai black fruit yet or is this one gonna be the first? I know I haven't seen pics of one.....and I've looked.

SoBe Musa
12-05-2011, 04:02 PM
Nov/30/2011
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3798.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3799.jpg
Dec/05/2011
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3865-1.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3861.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3840.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3836.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3867.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3869-2.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_3874-1.jpg

Darkman
12-05-2011, 05:35 PM
Wow! It doesn't get in a hurry does it? I would have thought it would be furthur along by now.

I see where you supported the P-stem is lower than the stalk and not on the stalk. Are you not worried the weight of the bunch will bend/break the stem there?

The Thai Black is a magnificent Banana. Congratulations.

NANAMAN
12-05-2011, 07:48 PM
Beautiful pictures, thanks for posting them!

SoBe Musa
12-06-2011, 12:08 PM
Dangerous situation..!
I going to Listening to you and make changes..is really tall ...i see..

Wow! It doesn't get in a hurry does it? I would have thought it would be furthur along by now.

I see where you supported the P-stem is lower than the stalk and not on the stalk. Are you not worried the weight of the bunch will bend/break the stem there?

The Thai Black is a magnificent Banana. Congratulations.

Raules
12-11-2011, 09:04 PM
Very beautiful pictures Emily, my congratulations :woohoonaner:! Many thanks, I will necessarily watch updatings of pictures. The flower looks as well as at regular Musa balbisiana. Is interesting what color there will be fruit. Emily, and what age at the blossoming plant, what height pseudostem?
Somebody knows, in what area these wild bananas grow in Thailand?

Raules
12-19-2011, 04:08 AM
I have received one one month ago seeds Musa ' Black Thai '. And already there is a positive result. I hope that the supplier wasn't mistaken with seeds as it often happens.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=47244&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=47244)

momoese
12-19-2011, 09:05 PM
Nice! Hope it makes it through the winter for a fruit evaluation.

Yug
12-20-2011, 05:53 PM
Is the fruit edible, or is it just an ornamental?

momoese
12-20-2011, 06:04 PM
Is the fruit edible, or is it just an ornamental?

Must be a monkey banana if it has seeds.

cheson74
12-23-2011, 12:14 PM
Is the fruit edible, or is it just an ornamental?

Ornamental. It produces seeded fruit.

SoBe Musa
02-23-2012, 07:36 PM
Is over for now..!
All was going good in December..
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_4009.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_4007.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_4003.jpg
JAN/09/2012.I don't know what happened
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_4088-1.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_4086.jpg
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz77/SoBe_Musa/IMG_4083.jpg

DoctorSteve
04-12-2012, 06:41 PM
Maybe they need to be pollinated:/ Were there any seeds in the fruit?

Dalmatiansoap
06-06-2012, 02:14 PM
Any updates?
:nanadrink:

kaczercat
06-06-2012, 02:37 PM
it was such a giant plant but only gave a bit of fruit :( I hope the next flower will be better for you.

Rmplmnz
08-09-2015, 02:46 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oOUbpo4o4w

Permalink to video tour:
http://www.bananas.org/f2/rmplmnz-garden-tour-14729-5.html#post262668