heavenlybananas

Hello, my name is Shawntel and I am from N.W. Arkansas. I have been a member for about a month now, but am just getting around to introducing myself. I would like to thank everyone for all the information that is on this site-it's great for us beginners! I would also like to thank those who wished me a happy b-day. I just found them today, sorry I'm late. Still learning the site and this side of the internet(messaging and all). I have 6 dwarf cavendish, 4 double mahoi, 3 new dwarf orinoccos and about 8 unknown banana trees. I know, I don't have enough! My goal is to have fruit, but I am really enjoying the journey to the fruit. Bananas are great and I love the tropical atmosphere they give to us in cold Arkansas. I visited Florida once (Jacksonville) and fell in love with the state. Alas, I am land locked, so I thought I'd bring a bit of Florida here. I think I bit off more than I could chew of the tropics when Gustav soaked us. Looks like Ike could do the same. So, if anyone has a boat big enough for my family and my naners, I might need it! Ha, Ha. I also have a 9x16 greenhouse (hoophouse) that I overwinter my bananas in and try to grow other veggies for us thru the winter. Again, thanks for the warm welcome and a great site. Happy growing everyone, Shawntel

Chironex

Wow, Shawntel, it sure sounds like you got the fever! And a greenhouse too - I am so envious of all greenhouse owners, I want one so much.

Good luck with your bananas, I am a rookie too. I live in the desert, so we might share some common challenges with the heat/sun and all. Although, you seem to get a lot more moisture than we do here. It stunts our bananas, but that should make them easier to harvest, right!!!?

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Scot

heavenlybananas

Scot, thanks for the welcome. Yes, I am addicted to nanas already! Our heat hasn't been too much of a problem this year. I think we only had about 2 weeks of over 95* temps. The rest of the summer has been in the 70's and 80's. I don't know whether to gripe or not! As far as my greenhouse goes, it only cost me about $100 and time to do it. It's made out of 3/4" pvc, cattle panels, wood, and t posts. I have it skinned with 6 mil. plastic that seems to last about 2 or 3 years depending on the weather and neighborhood cats. I heat it with a wood stove so that I can have summer year around!
I haven't had fruit yet, but I'm hoping. Stunting the height wouldn't be bad since I am only 4' 10'' - if the plants are too high I couldn't reach them. Anybody got a spare ladder? Seriously though, I am really looking forward to the beauty of the flower and fruit. I hope to have reason to take lots of pics. Maybe we can trade nana plants sometime. Happy growing, Shawntel

Dean W.

Welcome!

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mskitty38583

! welcome.

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WELCOME TO THE GATOR NATION

Kylie2x

LOL Welcome!! Another Banana Junkie!!! Sounds as tho you have a very healthy start to an incurable addiction!!! I look forward to seeing you around!!!
Kylie

austinl01

Welcome fellow Arkansan! I'm just north of Little Rock and have been growing bananas for over 5 years. Our hot and humid climate makes growing bananas pretty easy, but you will have a little more challenge in the Ozarks. May I suggest musa basjoo, musella lasiocarpa, and musa velutina for a start? All these are ornamental bananas grown for
their bloom.

Check out my photo gallery and my photobucket account. Click on the links to the left to view other plants that I'm growing. I bet you would have never guessed palms can grow in Arkansas too!

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Send me a PM anytime!

Cheers,
Austin

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Austin
Arkansas River Valley

Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F
Extreme Winter Lows: 5-15°F, Extreme Summer Highs: 100-112°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches