Hello fellow banana growers
 

Hello, My name is Peter and live in Woolton Hill, North Hampshire, UK.

I started growing bananas when I was given them about 6 years ago and have managed to protect then from 2/3 hard winters. Winter 2013/14 was mild and I protected with expectation of another cold winter. As a result the grew 18" (40cm). :woohoonaner:

This was only supposed to be something for fun, now it has become a full blown obsession. But it is great, I have much to learn and discover the make and model of the plants. :ha: I have 2 adults, 2 teenagers, and 3 pups at my allotment, and 1 toddler at home.

Stockcross is a small village with a very nice pub, The Lord Lyon. It would appear the plants are the talking point of the village with the obvious comments, "when will you get Bananas?" Maybe this year, I am hopeful. Watching feeding and watering, writing for that all important flag leaf. Time will tell.

I hope to gain tips and knowledge from this site and hope to make a useful contribution.

All the best
Peter

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

Welcome aboard ,
pull up a chair and have some fun learning.

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

Hello, Welcome & Happy Growing.. :v)

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

hello mate..welcome from florida...keep it up I want to see them when they bloom

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

Welcome to the Jungle!!! :woohoonaner:

Have fun here.

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

Welcome to the group, Peter. I admire the dedication of you and the others who work so hard to grow bananas in tough climates.

I'm Ken, the palm guy who stumbled into the wrong (just kidding) forum and who has become much more interested in bananas. FYI if you want to branch out, so to speak, there are a couple of palms that will grow where you are.

Good luck!

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

Ahh. You have the disease like the rest of us here. There is no cure, nor do we seek one!

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

First, welcome. Second, I would love to have a pint in the "Lord Lyon." I used to walk two blocks to a lovely Irish pub for a pint and they sold out to a local chain entertainment-eatery-gimmick-style-sports-bar-thingy about a month ago. I'm still sad about it. Re: bananas, I heard from a reputable source in Homestead, Florida that, basically, it is near impossible to give bananas too much potassium. Thus, I use a water soluble potassium that comes in the form of white pearls I purchase in 60 lb bags. I use 1 cup per week and my bananas rocked(!) from that application. Also, I don't know about the UK rules regarding importation of tropical plants, but there is a VERY professional nursery in Ft. Myers Florida that offers a banana specie they call "Japanese Hardy Banana". This may be a standardized common name or that could just be as it is referred to by this retailer. I tell you of this b/c it is allegedly cold tolerant down to -20C. It is item 4423 as sold by "Top Tropicals". Here is the link:

TopTropicals.com - rare plants for home and garden

Maybe it could send one to the UK with the appropriate phytosanitary certificate or whatever is required by the proper regulatory authority. This nursery is a very well established company so I imagine it can probably accomodate your needs. In any event, best of luck with your "zone pushing".

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

Hey, glad to hear from another banana enthusiast who will be dealing with colder winters. I'm tickled to know growers from the international community. Wish we had a pub like yours here in Chattanooga, but some local brewers are making some excellent beer. If you're ever over our way, stop by for a black'n'tan.

Re: Hello fellow banana growers
 

Always so awesome to see new members from cool places!
I did the same, wanted a banana tree... came here and now I have several of different types and always leaning out the truck window when I see a banana plant somewhere!