Hello from Los Angeles
 

:waving:

Hi everyone!

My name is Anna :)

I have backyard bananas that grow like weeds, I just add water. After some research I believe I have the Orinoco variety (you can see it in my avatar pic) - GOOOD eating, but they are big honkin' plants almost as tall as my house, and one of the clumps is in an unfortunate spot where it is starting to catch on my power lines... So I am looking to tear it out and plant a smaller variety. And since I know nothing about all the different varieties available, I came here! :D

Looking forward to learning from you all...

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Hi Anna! Welcome to the International Banana Society. How tall are your Orinocos, and where are you located? The answers to these two questions will help us to help you find a) shorter plants and b) ones that are hardy in your zone.

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Hi Ana and welcome. There are several if not many growers here from your area who'll I'm sure be glad to help you. On the blue line on top you'll see a "wiki" and "search" buttons that you can look up items of interest. Some of the varieties you may want to consider are Dwarf Orinoco, D, Namwah , D. Brazilian and some related to D, Orinoco such as California gold and Ca. cold hardy. You should do a bit of research and snooping around this site since in your area the sky's the limit as far as varietal choices and there are many. Good luck . Hope to hear more from you.

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Hi Anna, a big welcome to the board! :goteam: Maybe you should try something for fun like planting a whole lot of Super Dwarf Cavendish with a bunch Dwarf Cavendish behind as backdrop. They are nice eating though a little out of fashion. But.... it's the only forest of 'naner which you can look down and admire the view!:ha:

All the best to your final choice and do keep us posted.

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Hello Anna! :) you've found such a nice place...hang out in the sun sipping a margarita, under the nana's in a hammock; talk with your online friends...
Gino

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Hello Anna and Welcome!

That's a nice looking banana you're holding in your avatar! Though I don't think it's an Orinoco. It looks closer to a Hua Moa. The stem and tip end of the Orinoco are more tapered. The fruit you're holding has rounded ends, suggestive of the Hua Moa. What color is the pulp?

Again, welcome!

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

That one is kind of a monster fat 'naner, most of them are smaller and more pointy. But what do I know, LOL

The flesh is a little darker yelow than the commercial (cavendish?) supermarket bananas, with a hint of orange when they are completely soft and the skin turns black. The taste is a bit more acidic than the commercial banana. The flesh doesn't turn dark brown when it sits exposed to air for a while like the commercial bananas do.

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Hey neighbor! I'm in West LA close to the Culver City Art District, where are you located? I have Dwarf Cavendish, Raja Puri, and an unknown that I'm thinking is Dwarf Brazilian. Let me know if you need a pup.

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Welcome to the organization Anna!

That looks like your doing well with bananas already! Best wishes and good growing. :2239:

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

We ARE neighbors, I'm in West LA too! I'm happy to see that you're growing these dwarf varieties locally - nothing better than experience to know what does well here. If I end up picking one of those varieties, I just may take you up on that offer :)

:pinwheelnaner:

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

I have some mid sized plants that might work for you too! As for the leaves touching power wires I don't worry about it at all. Now if the P-stem (trunk) is touching then you have a problem. Lmk if you want to see the garden and maybe take some pups home.

Oh, Reds will loose their leaves and or at minimum turn yellow and look ugly during winter here, but I've never lost a plant completely and the fruit is amazing!

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Yup, that is indeed the problem. They grow taller than the power line and then when they flower I can end up with the whole big bunch of bananas hanging hooked over the line! So that one clump will have to go.

Dwarf Reds sound like a possibility, then...

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Oh yeah, you have to remove those!

I'm replacing my Tall Red Jamaicans with Dwarf Reds this year. Unless we get another arctic frost like we had in 07 I don't see a problem growing them here.

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Can I ask at this juncture...(I have read this on several posts...) what is acronynm for 'P-stem'? What does the 'P' stand for? Thank you in advance,
Gino :)

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Pseudo Stem

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Welcome Anna,

You will find a wealth of knowledge on bananas here and very helpful people willing to share their experiences.

Michael

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Thank you Today, 04:27 PM #15 (permalink)
momoese. I do know what a pseudo-stem is, and now understand the posts better. :)
Gino
edit: to spell his screen name proper :)

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

It's just easier to type, especially for keyboard challenged people like myself!

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Me too momoese, I am just learning this stuff. I can barely type. finger picker. lol (i KNOW the 'lol' from the commercials) Wife types 95 a minute. Geeps...but I can beat her on a dremel anyday :)
Gino

Re: Hello from Los Angeles
 

Welcome to the Org, Anna, A ton of info, from very helpful friendly people! :bananas_b