View Full Version : Texas Star VS. Califonia Gold
Jananas Bananas
08-30-2009, 07:52 AM
Did I get your attention? I copied this from directly from a banana selling website. This may have been debated to death - but does anyone know that this is true for sure? I think I read in past posts that some of you have these growing side by side and would let us know. I will send the website address to anyone that wants it - just PM or email me. (I am not affiliated with them in any way)
Dwarf Orinoco banana plant banana tree ....The ‘Dwarf Orinoco' is a small vigorous plant that has a beautiful solid green has a thick stem and is very cold hardy. Often called the 'Texas Star' and the "California Gold" - a real cold hardy fruit producer. Exceptionally frost hardy compared to other bananas, produces good fruit, year after year, without any frost protection. This is the most popular landscaping plant in Florida for around pools and garden jungles. Wide, big green leaves make this a real winner. It is a heavy bearer of thick skinned fruit of very good eating quality. A very good and delicious banana. Sweet with a bit of a strawberry taste. There is very little curvature to the fruit and the fruit can ripen on the plant without splitting. The plant is hardy and withstands cold temperatures and wind, Hardiness: Zone 7-11, Height: 8', Healthy approx. 12" high plant with soil.
B83 16.95 10.95
The $10.95 is in red and their current sale price.
sunfish
08-30-2009, 08:12 AM
I have Texas Star , California Gold and Dwarf Orinoco growing side by side. These are young plants and I got them just to see if there is a difference between the plants. Right now all I can say is to my eye , each is different.
Jananas Bananas
08-30-2009, 08:38 AM
Hi Tony! Can you explain the differences? I am guessing visual since they are young plants (texture, wax, coloring, etc.). Is this a recent experiment or by young do you mean less than 2 years old? I know that the gentleman that sells the "California Gold" is very reputable, but the double "T" nursery that sells the "Texas Star" has terrible feedback on the internet. Both state that their original plants were purchased in Texas. (I have tried to do my homework! :) )
sunfish
08-30-2009, 08:51 AM
I will post pix. The plants only have 12 to 18" of p.stem.
damaclese
08-30-2009, 09:43 AM
I just got one of the Cali Gold pups that Scot was selling prior to his departure its only 14" high all let your all know how it dos this winter I'm in a zone 9 vary dry and hot so we will see don't have any O or TX star so i can't say what the differences are
Jananas Bananas
08-30-2009, 10:26 AM
Thank you Paulo and Tony! I will be watching for your pictures Tony and your results Paulo.
I also wonder if folks that have purchased these are certain that they got what they thought they purchased? Again not from the reputable folks but the others, or purchased from someone, that got it from someone else, who got it from someone else, etc. I love to trade plants and have had some fantastic trades - and I have purchased many unusual and expensive plants - and I certainly don't mind paying for what I want. But I have found from experience that sometimes you don't necessarily get what you pay for.
I know I am wound up this morning. What can I say? HA! HA!
I'm up to 3 Ca. Gold, one from ebay, the seller claimed to have gotten his from Jeff Earl, 1 from member bigdog and 1 direct from Jeff. They all appear the same and I'm pretty sure the ebay one is legit as are the other 2. I had a D. Orinoco that I've since given away and remember it being just slightly different, unfortunately without it here I could say exactly why.
After all I've read and seen in advertising (did you catch the banana planting video or the "pomagrante" one?) I don't think I'd recommend anyone buy from (they ought to go) By By nursery.
You may want to check our wiki or pitangadiego's webebananas site for a lot more info.
chong
08-30-2009, 11:39 AM
I think that the quoted description from Greenearth, Inc. (Banana Trees Banana Plants (http://www.greenhousebusiness.com/bananaplants.html)), is just a claim by them and not based on actual experience. They only sell TC plants. And as far as I know, there have been no TC done on either TX Star nor CA Gold. There have been other claims by other parties of origins of either of these two varieties, but most of these have been just conjecture.
The person that named the CA Gold has stated that, in fact, he has several Dwarf Orinocos on his property, and he found them to be less cold hardy and less productive than the CA Gold in his area. The purveyors of the TX Star, whose ads I've seen since the very early 70s, gives a separate but parallel account as to its origins as the CA Gold, which only gained prominence in the 90s. While the origins of both varieties are from TX, the specific sources and locations are different.
There was a member of GardenWeb from TX who posted a picture of the TX Star, CA Gold and CA Hardy, side by side, several years ago. The post is still there but the photo is not. I contacted the poster by email for further info, but he has not responded. Fortunately, I remembered saving a copy of the photo, and after going through several older hard drives, I found the photo. I posted that photo in this forum a couple of times.
Since you're doing some homework on these plants, check out also, WeBeBananas' description: ENCANTO FARMS (http://webebananas.com/bvar-C-D.html)
While I have my own opinions on these varieties, I cannot back them up with results directly from experience. However, I own all 4 varieties, with the added bonus of a couple of TX Stars from TX, in addition to the ones from the Double Tee Nursery.
Jananas Bananas
08-30-2009, 12:16 PM
Thanks Bob! If you are up to 3 you must like them. Have they fruited for you in New Jersey? Why did you give away the Dwarf Orinoco, any particular reason? Yes, I saw the videos.
Thanks Chong! I wasn't sure if I could mention the websites' name here so I didn't. I did see the posting at GardenWeb but couldn't view the picture either. I will try to search your posts to find the picture. I did read the information from the websites mentioned by both you and Bob in the last couple of weeks while researching. I would be interested in your opinion. You can PM me if you would rather or regular email me. Or maybe I will find it, if I find your picture - Do you have it posted in your photo gallery?
A call out to Pitangadiego.....in your information there is a quote "I don`t think there is any thing special or rare about this banana plant. I don`t think its' a mutation of Dwarf Orinoco. I think it IS Dwarf Orinoco." Is this your specific opinion or is this verbage from someone else? (sorry I couldn't tell)
A call out to Gabe.....have there been any genetic testing on these yet, and if so results?
Thanks!
sunfish
08-30-2009, 12:33 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21910&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21910&ppuser=2868) D.O.http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21911&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21911&ppuser=2868)C.G.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21909&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21909&ppuser=2868)T.S
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21914&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21914&ppuser=2868)T.S.
url=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21912&ppuser=2868]http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21912&size=1[/url]D.O
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21913&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21913&ppuser=2868)C.G.
Thanks Bob! If you are up to 3 you must like them. Have they fruited for you in New Jersey? Why did you give away the Dwarf Orinoco, any particular reason? Yes, I saw the videos.
Thanks!
I just after so much reading felt that this dwarf variety would be one of the most likely to produce fruit or at least flower here. This is my first year with them and have legitimate hopes for the oldest(ebay) one for next year to produce. I got rid of the D. Orinoco simply because of space limitations. It was an especially nice little plant and I gave it to a member here.
chong
08-30-2009, 05:18 PM
I also wonder if folks that have purchased these are certain that they got what they thought they purchased? Again not from the reputable folks but the others, or purchased from someone, that got it from someone else, who got it from someone else, etc. I love to trade plants and have had some fantastic trades - and I have purchased many unusual and expensive plants - and I certainly don't mind paying for what I want. But I have found from experience that sometimes you don't necessarily get what you pay for.
Check out my answer to a similar question on this thread:
http://www.bananas.org/f15/carolina-king-banana-9343.html#post94010
Thanks Chong! I wasn't sure if I could mention the websites' name here so I didn't. I did see the posting at GardenWeb but couldn't view the picture either. I will try to search your posts to find the picture. I did read the information from the websites mentioned by both you and Bob in the last couple of weeks while researching. I would be interested in your opinion. You can PM me if you would rather or regular email me. Or maybe I will find it, if I find your picture - Do you have it posted in your photo gallery?
I know that I posted a reply to your questions here just before I went to church this morning, but somehow the post is gone. There is nothing wrong with posting your source. Personally, I would encourage you to do so, even just to show that you're not making it up. Posting a website to promote it is another issue.
Here is the photo, (L-R) CA Gold, TX Star, CA Hardy:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=13354&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=13354&perpage=12&ppuser=567)
A call out to Pitangadiego.....in your information there is a quote "I don`t think there is any thing special or rare about this banana plant. I don`t think its' a mutation of Dwarf Orinoco. I think it IS Dwarf Orinoco." Is this your specific opinion or is this verbage from someone else? (sorry I couldn't tell)
In my missing reply, I stated that I probably would interpret the statement in that description by Jon's website the same way that you would. Just make sure that you understand that not all of that entire paragraph came from Jon. Rather, while the first few statements are Jon's, the succeeding statements are from several different owners of CA Gold. It can be confusing because the quotation marks are not always where the previous commentator ends and the next begins, and vice-versa. I suggested that you try to distinguish the between the various commentators and develop your own conclusion. That was how I arrived at mine, which I dared publish in these forums, to which I received some strong criticisms. I do still stand by them, until someone can come up definitively proving otherwise.
damaclese
08-30-2009, 05:26 PM
"In my missing reply, I stated that I probably would interpret the statement in that description by Jon's website. Just make sure that you understand that not all of that entire paragraph came from Jon. Rather, while the first few statements are Jon's, the succeeding statements are from several different owners of CA Gold. It can be confusing because the quotation marks are not always where the previous commentator ends and the next begins, and vice-versa. I suggested that you try to distinguish the between the various commentators and develop your own conclusion. That was how I arrived at mine, which I dared publish in these forums, to which I received some strong criticisms. I do still stand by them, until someone can come up definitively proving otherwise."[/QUOTE]
i hope that i never gave you the impression that i was criticizing you i have the up most respect for you at all time i have learned much from the
"old Man" heheh just kidding Chong take care
Paul
chong
08-30-2009, 05:39 PM
I might add, also, that I have all 4 varieties (DO, CG, TS, and CH), with an added bonus of a couple of survivors from a shipment of five TX Stars from a lady in TX, not affiliated with the Double Tee Nursery in GA. This lady is the source from whom Scot bought the TX Star that is now in Tony's (Sunfish) hands. I may even have a fifth variety, a Tall Orinoco, that remained green and even grew slowly last Winter. However, it was sold as a Dwarf Lady Finger, and I only noticed the difference during the Winter because the other DLFs that came with it were so much shorter, and these shorter DLFs did not survive the Winter as well.
chong
08-30-2009, 05:56 PM
i hope that i never gave you the impression that i was criticizing you i have the up most respect for you at all time i have learned much from the
"old Man" heheh just kidding Chong take care
Paul
Thank you for your concern. Just for the record, Pauly, you never have. And I have utmost respect for you, as well. I would not take any criticism from you personally, if you ever do. Matter of fact, that holds true for anyone. I just weigh the criticism, and figure if the shoe fits . . . . well, then I'll accept it. If not, then they're wrong and I really don't feel need to set them out straight, unless I feel strongly that the issue might be destructive if the opposite of what I believe or experienced is followed. Then after that, it's up to them to do whatever they want to do.
Jananas Bananas
08-30-2009, 06:29 PM
Sunfish, Thanks for the picture insertions - Yours do have different looks to them. One is very waxy almost bluish, the others not so much and the others are very green and different colored mid ribs - those characteristics jumping out at me.
Chong, Thank you for your picture also. The only thing I can see is the pinkish peach pstem of the one on the right and the yellowish green on the one in the middle. The one on the left I can't see for the leaf. I think I remember reading that the California Gold (Jeff) and the California Hardy gentleman are Brother's in Law is that correct - or maybe that was California Cold? And these two are supposed to be different or no? I did see in your photo gallery that you had some other pictures posted there too. I am trying to study them carefully.
Thanks for all the help!!!!
bencelest
08-30-2009, 06:47 PM
JaNan:
I just saw your post. It is my second fruit of Calif Gold, I have many pups that are tall as of right now. I have a Calif Gold fruit that I expect to harvest before the frost. I also have a mature orinoco and dwarf orinoco plant. Not too long ago I was able to sell a large pup to a member here but unfortunately he is having a problem with his pup for the time being . I also have many pics but probably I did not post all to my website.
Since you are interested seeing them I will do so when I have the time.
I also have a post here titled "This is my Calif Gold 2009" .on Main Banana Discussion . You can research it and see what you think.
Benny
chong
08-30-2009, 07:19 PM
Chong, Thank you for your picture also. The only thing I can see is the pinkish peach pstem of the one on the right and the yellowish green on the one in the middle. The one on the left I can't see for the leaf. I think I remember reading that the California Gold (Jeff) and the California Hardy gentleman are Brother's in Law is that correct - or maybe that was California Cold? And these two are supposed to be different or no? I did see in your photo gallery that you had some other pictures posted there too. I am trying to study them carefully.
Thanks for all the help!!!!
Don't forget the similarities/differences in heights besides the coloration. I don't know if you can rely on the coloration so much, though. The photo, most probably, was taken with a film camera, and depending on the brand of the film used, the color hues may favor one color versus another. The slant of the sun at the time that the photo was taken, can like wise be a factor. The best picture for comparison would be one where they are all in bright shade. That way sun angle and shadows have very little influence over the coloration.
CA Gold (Jeff's) and CA Cold Hardy(Shawn's) are definitely not the same variety. Outside of their cold hardiness and fruitfulness in their region, they have dissimilar characteristics. Jeff and Shawn are indeed brothers-in-law.
Notice the underlined variety above. CA Cold and CA Hardy are the same plant. Shawn, as with members in other forums, actually calls them more often as CA Cold Hardy.
sunfish
08-30-2009, 07:34 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21944&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21944&ppuser=2868)C.G.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21943&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21943&ppuser=2868)D.O.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21942&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21942&ppuser=2868)T.S.
THESE MIGHT BE A LITTLE BETTER
Jananas Bananas
08-30-2009, 07:36 PM
WOW Benny! Your backyard is Paradise to me! Just Gorgeous! I can tell that is an incredible amount of work. I know they are always a work in progress, but how long did it take you to achieve what you have now? Did you have a lot of help or do it primarily on your own?
With your bananas did you find either Orinocos and your Ca. Gold were the same banana? Have you had any dealings with the Texas Star?
harveyc
08-30-2009, 11:30 PM
I want to point out that some of the comments quoted from Jon's webebananas web site are quotes from individuals here at bananas.org and that some rather negative comments were made by one of our members who is now not active on the forum. I just don't want folks to read those comments as having some level of authority or to attribute them to Jon. Jon's site has links to the original sources.
I now have three Texas Star also and am also interested in comparing these in the years ahead.
bencelest
08-31-2009, 02:07 AM
Thank you Janan for your compliment. I only have one guy who helped me to do the concrete work. But this guy knows a lot about everything, concrete, carpentry, remodeling and yet he asked for the cheapest wage (rather I bargained for it but I end up rewarding him a lot of extra bonus for his fast working). I would guess about 4 weeks more or less. But I was with him all the time and I did a lot of dirty works also. But it is my design all the way.
Calif Gold is another species all alone. In terms of height and cold hardy and appearance are entirely different species I should say.
The Texas Star was posted here perhaps a year after I bought my Cali Gold so I was not interested at all getting one. I don't know much about it.
Regarding the Orinocos I bought them before the Calif Gold and I was able to pup them consistently.
I am having a problem posting the pictures of the cold hardiness of the Calif Gold so bear with me. It is now posted at the latest photo but I can not copy/paste it here.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21971&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21971)
Ah, it works.
So what I am saying is that the Calif gold is much hardier than any bananas I owned. The Calif Gold is the one on the left background picture seemingly unscathed throughout 2008 years' winter and the one on the right background was a dwarf Brazilian that was on top of the cold hardy variety. The leaves got browned but the pstem were green throughout. Both were left on the ground without protection. The pots of bananas were protected under the patio with roof cover.
Jananas Bananas
08-31-2009, 05:47 AM
Thank you Harvey! I was hoping you would post. I hope nothing I said came across negative! That is not my intent at all!!! In the message I pulled my quote from, I could not tell who said what as it seems to run together. I do not know any one here personally like you do and do not want to step on any toes for sure! I made a trade with a super sweet lady, BlueSky, off GardenWeb - and she referred me to this website.
I am trying to distinguish identifiable characterics of the 'Texas Star' banana. I have come across several sources referring to the Dwarf Orinoco as also being called Texas Star and California Gold. I copied one of those as the start of this thread. I am trying to re-discover some Texas heritage.
Both the Texas Star and California Gold were originally purchased in Texas. There are stands of banana growing here all over the state - north to south, east to west. These are unmaintained, not growing in optimum controlled environments. The people that own the properties do not know of any "name" - they are just banana trees, or elephant palms, or just plain pains in the arse. They have been passed down from family to family or sold off to others and the linkage cut. They are very hardy (can't be killed off according to some) and they produce edible seedless fruit. I would like to determine if any of these tough little nuts are, in fact, the original Texas Star banana. Some claims say it has been known to survive a -16 degree winter. I am willing to drive to Witchita Falls if that is what I need to do. It has now become a quest!
That all being said, do you notice any distinguishing characteristics of your Texas Star? Similarities with your California Gold? Orinoco, dwarf or full size?
My sincerest apologies, if I have offended anyone, mis-quoted, or generally riled up the kind folks here. Not my intent. I am just trying to pick your brains. I just would like to preserve some Texas heritage if possible. Thanks! JaNan
harveyc
08-31-2009, 09:13 AM
No, you haven't said anything negative or stepped on toes as far as I can tell. There are some negative comments quoted in Jon's site and they originated from an old thread here. That's all.
My Texas Star have been in my possession for four days and the leaves have been chopped, so it's impossible for me to comment on differences at this time. It will probably take me until 2011 to make a good comparison since it will take time to get plants of the same size, etc. Tony will probably be ahead of me, though we could very well have different plants being called Texas Star since Ty Ty has not been very good in sending out what people have ordered.
chong
08-31-2009, 02:40 PM
Tony will probably be ahead of me, though we could very well have different plants being called Texas Star since Ty Ty has not been very good in sending out what people have ordered.
I am intrigued by your statement. If there is doubt as to what TTN is sending out, how do you know that the TX Star that you received is indeed a TX Star, since your source bought it from TTN?
Already, I can tell you that yours and Tony's are different plants called TX Star. FYI, the lady that Scot bought Tony's plant from did not buy it from TTN. She just "decided" that it has characteristics that are similar to TX Star from what she's read, and hence called it so.
I think the best source for a true TX Star is still TTN. But it might take a trip to Ty Ty, GA and a lot of tact and patience to get the prize. Or, a trip to Wichita Falls, TX and a lot patience. Or, a giant leap of faith - for some.
sunfish
08-31-2009, 02:50 PM
Does this mean I have to buy another plant ?
chong
08-31-2009, 03:40 PM
Does this mean I have to buy another plant ?
LOL! That's really your choice. There's a thread where I posted pictures of the plants from both sources. I'll try to post an update. Maybe you can twist Harvey's arm for one of his! I'd offer you one of mine, but out of the five that I ordered, only one survived. But it is doing very well, though. If I weren't expecting a shipment of plants from the Philippines, I would have re-ordered from them again this year. I needed to saved my funds for the anticipated shipment. Unfortunately, I've hit a snag (recently solved) with shipping agents. To make matters worse, most of the pups that were separated in February all had to be replanted because of the delay, and are now in fruit. Most of the pups that they are collecting recently have Bunchy Top Virus, so now the hold is on the pup availability.
I will plan on ordering TX Star again next year in the Spring, because ordering at this time may not give the plants enough time to store enough energy to survive the Winter. I ordered the plants I have about this same time last year, and only the one survived out of five. You won't have nay problems in you area, though.
harveyc
08-31-2009, 03:46 PM
I am intrigued by your statement. If there is doubt as to what TTN is sending out, how do you know that the TX Star that you received is indeed a TX Star, since your source bought it from TTN?
Already, I can tell you that yours and Tony's are different plants called TX Star. FYI, the lady that Scot bought Tony's plant from did not buy it from TTN. She just "decided" that it has characteristics that are similar to TX Star from what she's read, and hence called it so.
I think the best source for a true TX Star is still TTN. But it might take a trip to Ty Ty, GA and a lot of tact and patience to get the prize. Or, a trip to Wichita Falls, TX and a lot patience. Or, a giant leap of faith - for some.
I'm intrigued that my comment intrigued you. Better than to have bored you, I guess. ;)
My source bought his Texas Star from TTN many years ago and he thinks it's performed to the description they've given it, so I think he got lucky. I don't have the time or patience, nor willingness to spend the kind of money it would take to go to TTN in person.
Does this mean I have to buy another plant ?
Tony, if yours doesn't work out I can send you one of mine later on. Write me off list. Otherwise, I will probably plant two in the ground and keep one in the greenhouse so it can get larger before going into the ground next spring.
Jananas Bananas
09-01-2009, 08:40 AM
OK here is what I am going to try to do and I need some advice as to how to get started. I would like to submit some samples for genetic testing, or whatever needs to be done for postive identification. I need to know how much tissue needs to be sent and how to package it to be shipped so it does not deteriorate. I do not have a Califonia Gold, depending on the sample size, is anyone willing to submit a tissue sample(s) for this testing? I do have what I believe to be the original Texas Star (not from TTN), and I would submit several of these samples. I would also like to get TTN purchased Texas Star samples if possible, both old purchases and the plants they are shipping now. Suggestion? Advice? Any volunteers? I am not asking anyone to give up their plants. I don't believe the testing requires that, but if it does I will purchase these. I don't believe it has, but if this has already been done can someone steer me in the right direction? If it has been done results have not been published that I can find. I would also like to get permission to copy and use any pictures posted in this thread. Chong I know you said the picture you have was from the GardenWeb posting, but I would like to possibly use a couple of yours from your gallery. This may not be necessary - but just in case.
This is NOT, I repeat NOT for any kind of legal action. This is for positive identification of Musa grown in Texas to be submitted for historic preservation. This is very important to me and I believe for Texas. :)
Texas members, do any of you have examples? I will try to get someone at Texas A & M today that can let me know my next step. Thanks everyone. ~JaNan
Jananas Bananas
09-02-2009, 09:13 PM
I guess from the silence that is a NO! That's OK no hard feelings. :) But in case anyone is interested, I have spoken to the Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas A & M. I'm getting a referral letter from the department of agriculture and have been invited to A & M by the head of the agriculture department to check out the studies they currently are working on with cold tolerant bananas and papayas. They do not protect them or dig them up for the winter - it has been a 4 year study so far. I will be able to find out what I need to do next with their advisement. They are very interested in the Texas heritage aspect, and I will be speaking with the horticulture specialist and head of that department next week (he was out of town this week). I was told he co-founded the Antique Rose Emporium. I am sure this will be a long drawn out process but it should be interesting and fun! ~JaNan
chong
09-03-2009, 01:48 AM
JaNan,
I appreciate and admire your quest and resolve. As I said that I was intrigued with Havey's statement, when he put his faith in his source of TX Star, while at the same time questioning the reliability of TTN, I was wondering how you can come up with a true TX Star without getting them from TTN. They were the ones who named it as such. Just like how do you get a true CA Gold, outside of getting it from Jeff Earl or someone who got them from him. Any other source would not be "true" since the source is not from the one who named the variety.
On the other hand, if you just want to document the existence of a banana that has similar characteristics as the TX Star and/or the CA Gold for historical preservation reasons, then that is a different story, and possibly, a different banana, altogether. However, if you want to document the TX Star and the CA Gold varieties, you would need to get them from these original sources, or reliable/verifiable secondary sources who've obtained them from the original sources.
An example of this is that if you are looking for a "Super Dwarf Banana", which is a patented/coyrighted plant by Oglesby Plants International. The fact that it may be a Super Dwarf Cavendish, doesn't make every SDC exactly the same as the Super Dwarf Banana. I have seen various SDCs with mostly similar characteristics as the SDB, but they are not exactly the same. Just look at the "High Color Mini" from Agristarts and compare it with the SDB. While there are some similarities, I personally can identify some distinguishing differences between the two.
If the tissue that you are asking for from the plant for DNA identification will not cause the plant to die, I don't mind giving you whatever piece you need from my TX Stars from TTN and TX, and the CA Gold. My CA Gold source is from Jeff Earl and is verifiable. Because the TX Stars from my source in TX did not come from TTN, I cannot confirm that it is the same plant as the one from TTN, until I can compare their blossom and fruits. I'd be glad to help.
If I get the job that I am being considered in Dallas, TX, I intend to spend several weekends in Wichita Falls, TX and look for what might be the source(s) of the TX Star of TTN. Just wistful thinking. I may not get the job.
harveyc
09-03-2009, 02:24 AM
Just to clarify, Chong. I think if you buy something from TTN, you might have a chance of 1 in 3 of getting what you wanted. If my source bought his five years ago from TTN and it fits the description, he was probably one of the lucky ones. Buying from him saves me the agony of wasting a couple of years with something unknown.
You know of my source; you posted his Texas Star photos here! Don't you remember??? :D
chong
09-03-2009, 03:51 AM
Just to clarify, Chong. I think if you buy something from TTN, you might have a chance of 1 in 3 of getting what you wanted. If my source bought his five years ago from TTN and it fits the description, he was probably one of the lucky ones. Buying from him saves me the agony of wasting a couple of years with something unknown.
While I understand your reasoning, esp. the wait, I think that the probability of getting the correct one must be better 1 in 3, from my own personal experience. Based my engineering sense, at this point, I think that the chances of getting a true TX Star from your source is still the same as getting it directly from TTN. What you have has only been proven to cold hardy. Your source has not been able to obtain fruit from the parent plant, so you still have to wait at least 18 months, if not a couple of years, before you can find out. The only difference between your situation and mine is that you have faith in your source and, in turn, your source's faith in TTN, while I have placed faith in TTN. Also, you do not have to deal with TTN. Well, I guess you're better off since you don't have to potentially deal with the aggravation.
You know of my source; you posted his Texas Star photos here! Don't you remember??? :D
Yes, I am very well aware of that. I was very happy that you got some plants from him. Now, we have something to compare to. I just hope that neither of us get lavender blooms like Joe did! :ha:
damaclese
09-03-2009, 07:57 AM
wow its to bad that people have to do things that make it hard for others to get what they payed for i feel for you all now i I'm thinking is my CA Gold really a CA Gold? o well its a pretty Plant any way
Is this the part were i say Have Faith Grass Hopper
bencelest
09-03-2009, 09:14 AM
I am sure mine is. I got mine from a well reputable source who used to sell bananas and a friend of Joe Real but I can't think of his name right now. Joe's CG came from him also.
chong
09-03-2009, 01:10 PM
I am sure mine is. I got mine from a well reputable source who used to sell bananas and a friend of Joe Real but I can't think of his name right now. Joe's CG came from him also.
Benny,
The controversy that Harvey and I were talking about is our TX Star from Ty Ty Nursery, not CA Gold. We have no issues on the CG, I got my CA Gold from Joe and I think that Harvey got a large one from him also. Though I know that he's bought several from Jeff Earl directly.
Pauly, why don't you post a pic of yours when you get a chance? It might help.
harveyc
09-03-2009, 05:08 PM
Chong, I've only got one Cal Gold directly from Jeff Earl. My big Cal Gold from Joe bloomed at 9'1" so its ID is suspect. Jeff had some vandalism of his plot a few years ago and there were some mix-ups that year, but he did replace any erroneous plants that were brought to his attention, so it makes me wonder about this one I'm growing them side-by-side to help compare the two.
chong
09-03-2009, 06:36 PM
Chong, I've only got one Cal Gold directly from Jeff Earl. My big Cal Gold from Joe bloomed at 9'1" so its ID is suspect. Jeff had some vandalism of his plot a few years ago and there were some mix-ups that year, but he did replace any erroneous plants that were brought to his attention, so it makes me wonder about this one I'm growing them side-by-side to help compare the two.
So, what did the fruit look and taste like?
harveyc
09-03-2009, 06:42 PM
In short: it was stunted and not very tasty. I think it had about 15 fingers. It flower about two weeks after I transplanted it and what leaves were left were not in very good shape. Even though I wrapped them, the 35 mile trip was hard on the plant.
chong
09-03-2009, 06:55 PM
Any photos of the flower and fruit? Any semblance to known varieties?
harveyc
09-03-2009, 11:16 PM
There might be something in my gallery, though I don't think the flower of a stressed banana is something that can be compared very well to flowers of bananas that have been grown in normal conditions. It should be the same as what Benny has flowered, though his is a potted plant so that's not normal conditions either.
Patience is a virtue. I'll have to wait until I can get its pup to flower for me.
chong
09-04-2009, 12:07 AM
I wouldn't think that color or form would change just because it the plant was stressed or grown in a pot. The size may be affected, but other than that, there shouldn't be that much deviation. If there were drastic deviation, then it must be because it's not the same plant.
harveyc
09-04-2009, 01:17 AM
Chong, I'm intrigued by your impatience! ;)
This is the only photo I could find of that bloom:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=4186&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4186&ppuser=775&sortby=d&sorttime=9999&way=asc)
chong
09-04-2009, 01:40 AM
Thanks. That doesn't look too bad. Looks like a CA Gold . . . or maybe. . . . .??? JK. It does look like CA Gold. I'm willing to wait until next year for the next round of fruits.
Thanks again.
harveyc
09-04-2009, 08:16 AM
I gave away pups from that plant and kept the last once which did very little last year but has finally put on some growth this year. The pup I got from Jeff also grew slowly and is now getting close to flowering height. I worry a little that both will decide to bloom in late October!
damaclese
09-04-2009, 08:49 AM
I gave away pups from that plant and kept the last once which did very little last year but has finally put on some growth this year. The pup I got from Jeff also grew slowly and is now getting close to flowering height. I worry a little that both will decide to bloom in late October!
What can one say?. they Do what they Do when they Do it. LOL
bencelest
09-04-2009, 10:12 AM
What can one say?. they Do what they Do when they Do it. LOL
Pauly:
Ha-ha-ha!
Go for it Hahahaha!!!
harveyc
09-04-2009, 10:19 AM
Benny, I finally remembered the name of the guy you got your CG from: Mike, right?
sunfish
10-18-2009, 08:10 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=21974&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=21974&ppuser=2868)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=25118&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=25118&ppuser=2868)
My C.G. and Dwarf Namwah I can't tell the difference.
Jananas Bananas
10-18-2009, 08:49 AM
Dwarf Namwah eh? Very interesting. Everyone was saying Dwarf Orinoco. Great pictures! Thanks Tony! ~JaNan
sunfish
10-18-2009, 09:32 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=25219&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=25219&ppuser=2868)D.O.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=25218&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=25218&ppuser=2868)C.G.
These plants are close to being the same height.
sunfish
10-20-2009, 07:00 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=25347&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=25347&ppuser=2868)
KRU-GROS MICHEL-MYSORE
D.ORINOCO-CALIFORNIA GOLD-TEXAS STAR
Jananas Bananas
10-20-2009, 10:20 AM
Love those pictures! :o They look great!! ~JaNan
TruthHunter
10-21-2009, 06:09 AM
Ty Ty Nursery seems to have changed hands a few years back. Younger generation
took over? Too much smoking other "nursery" plants? Judging from the pictures on the
web site, its a possibility!
A plant from 5 years ago might have been a more reliable Texas Star. The fruit picture
they have on the site look suspicious. Looks to me like a guy eating a store Cavendish
in front of a ???...definitely didn't pick it off that plant.
sunfish
11-14-2009, 11:33 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=26632&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26632&ppuser=2868)
harveyc
11-14-2009, 11:40 AM
You better start removing Kru pups, Tony, Jon showed us a while back how he had over a hundred! ;)
sunfish
11-14-2009, 11:48 AM
I know I have hundreds of pups,not just Kru. The problem is I don't have room to put them right now.
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2020, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.