Any idea what this giant nanner is

lorax · 06-20-2008, 11:06 AM

These sentinels of bananahood grow outside the gates of the Quito Botanical Gardens. They are HUGE - past 20 feet by my estimation, and not getting any smaller. The pstem and leaf habit remind me of the standard cooking plantain, but the flowers (and the size!) are anything but.

For scale's sake - the wooden-pole fence in the background of pic #3 is about 7 feet tall at the tallest posts.

Help?

Gabe15 · 06-20-2008, 11:17 AM

Ensete ventricosum.

lorax · 06-20-2008, 11:32 AM

really!? Very cool, then! I didn't realize they got so gigantic.

Gabe15 · 06-20-2008, 01:15 PM

They vary in size by growing location, growing conditions and variety. I've seen them from about 5ft all the way up to the massive ones you saw. They are a very variable species.

Dean W. · 06-20-2008, 03:06 PM

I was going to say Ensete! I could tell by the flower. I must be learning something.

STEELVIPER · 06-20-2008, 06:59 PM

There are reports that they can grow up to 60 feet in there native habit. The largest one i have had was about 20 feet before it flowered.

Chironex · 06-20-2008, 07:09 PM

God help me, I love this stuff so much!

ClevelandCATHY · 06-20-2008, 07:15 PM

WOW!!! I think i'm gonna have to build a taller greenhouse.

lorax · 06-20-2008, 07:44 PM

Bear in mind, Cathy, that those were growing outdoors in Ecuador!

SteelViper - there were even taller ones inside the garden, where they got a bit more sunlight. I'd say the tallest one they have is about 50' - it matches an old Black Acacia, and dwarfs a number of the garden's younger walnuts.

mskitty38583 · 06-20-2008, 07:48 PM

thats a bigggg banana! i have room in my backyard....LOL! lorax do you think i could get that one through customs? think they would notice it?

Lagniappe · 06-20-2008, 07:50 PM

Check this out . Supposedly larger seeds than the regular E. Ventricosum and they grow them in Ecuador .
Picture and details of ENSETE sp. unknown var. Seeds and Bulbs - Tropical Plant Seed

I ordered regular Ventricosum seeds from there last year and they all flowered after 5-6 months @ 5-7 ' tall . Not the giants I had hoped for but neat non the less.

Bananaman88 · 06-20-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorax

Bear in mind, Cathy, that those were growing outdoors in Ecuador!

SteelViper - there were even taller ones inside the garden, where they got a bit more sunlight. I'd say the tallest one they have is about 50' - it matches an old Black Acacia, and dwarfs a number of the garden's younger walnuts.

50 feet???!!!

Now I'd like to see that! No pictures of that one?

lorax · 06-20-2008, 08:49 PM

I couldn't get far away enough from the tree to get a full photo. I've got an up-the-trunk shot if you like, but it's not really that descriptive.

island cassie · 06-21-2008, 11:50 AM

That is a nice plant - love the interesting flower!!

Cassie

natedogg1026 · 06-21-2008, 01:59 PM

Looks similar to the flower on a E. Glaucum.

paula · 07-20-2008, 08:04 PM

That is cool.

Rmplmnz · 07-20-2008, 09:58 PM

Very cool....bananas are amazing............

Sabas August 2004 (in the back right corner..praying hands are in the foreground in front of the Sabas)...........right before 8 hurricanes in two years...knock on wood..we are getting rainfall equivalent to 2004....we just need to skip the Hurricanes

[IMG]

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[IMG]

[/IMG]

Dean W. · 07-20-2008, 10:36 PM

Thoses are some large plants!

Would never get that big here I'm afraid.

island cassie · 07-21-2008, 01:57 PM

saltydad · 07-21-2008, 05:47 PM

Not in my wildest dreams................but wouldn't it be great?

06-20-2008, 11:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
lorax Banana Coloured lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Zone: 12/13 Tropical Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 453 BananaBucks : 267 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 45 Thanked 190 Times in 118 Posts Welcomes: 120	Any idea what this giant nanner is These sentinels of bananahood grow outside the gates of the Quito Botanical Gardens. They are HUGE - past 20 feet by my estimation, and not getting any smaller. The pstem and leaf habit remind me of the standard cooking plantain, but the flowers (and the size!) are anything but. For scale's sake - the wooden-pole fence in the background of pic #3 is about 7 feet tall at the tallest posts. Help? __________________ I speak for the trees. Last edited by lorax : 06-20-2008 at 11:11 AM. Reason: yeah, it would help if all 3 pics were attached!

06-20-2008, 11:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Gabe15 MC Banana Commander Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Honolulu, HI Find me on the map! Zone: 11 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,546 BananaBucks : 17,378 Feedback: 5 / 100% Thanks: 1 Thanked 795 Times in 332 Posts Welcomes: 1	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is Ensete ventricosum. __________________ The only hemp Im growing is Manila.

06-20-2008, 11:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
lorax Banana Coloured lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Zone: 12/13 Tropical Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 453 BananaBucks : 267 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 45 Thanked 190 Times in 118 Posts Welcomes: 120	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is really!? Very cool, then! I didn't realize they got so gigantic. __________________ I speak for the trees.

06-20-2008, 01:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Gabe15 MC Banana Commander Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Honolulu, HI Find me on the map! Zone: 11 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,546 BananaBucks : 17,378 Feedback: 5 / 100% Thanks: 1 Thanked 795 Times in 332 Posts Welcomes: 1	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is They vary in size by growing location, growing conditions and variety. I've seen them from about 5ft all the way up to the massive ones you saw. They are a very variable species. __________________ The only hemp Im growing is Manila.

06-20-2008, 03:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Name: Dean Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,199 BananaBucks : 8,195 Feedback: 6 / 100% Thanks: 645 Thanked 223 Times in 210 Posts Welcomes: 199	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is I was going to say Ensete! I could tell by the flower. I must be learning something. __________________ Dean

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06-20-2008, 06:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
STEELVIPER Mechwarrior STEELVIPER's Photo Gallery Location: Riverside,CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Name: Mark Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 724 BananaBucks : 5,110 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 44 Thanked 56 Times in 44 Posts Welcomes: 169	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is There are reports that they can grow up to 60 feet in there native habit. The largest one i have had was about 20 feet before it flowered. __________________

06-20-2008, 07:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chironex Dayyyyyyyy-O Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Las Vegas, NV Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,228 BananaBucks : 603 Feedback: 5 / 100% Thanks: 1,915 Thanked 323 Times in 226 Posts Welcomes: 252	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is God help me, I love this stuff so much! __________________ Scot "Grow 'em if ya got 'em!"

06-20-2008, 07:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
ClevelandCATHY Plant Manager ClevelandCATHY's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland,TN Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 70 BananaBucks : 1,119 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 8 Thanked 15 Times in 7 Posts Welcomes: 10	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is WOW!!! I think i'm gonna have to build a taller greenhouse.

06-20-2008, 07:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
lorax Banana Coloured lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Zone: 12/13 Tropical Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 453 BananaBucks : 267 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 45 Thanked 190 Times in 118 Posts Welcomes: 120	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is Bear in mind, Cathy, that those were growing outdoors in Ecuador! SteelViper - there were even taller ones inside the garden, where they got a bit more sunlight. I'd say the tallest one they have is about 50' - it matches an old Black Acacia, and dwarfs a number of the garden's younger walnuts. __________________ I speak for the trees.

06-20-2008, 07:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
mskitty38583 banana junkie mskitty38583 's Photo Gallery Location: sparta, tn. Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: mskitty Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,598 BananaBucks : 16,963 Feedback: 24 / 100% Thanks: 23 Thanked 466 Times in 396 Posts Welcomes: 59	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is thats a bigggg banana! i have room in my backyard....LOL! lorax do you think i could get that one through customs? think they would notice it? __________________ WELCOME TO THE GATOR NATION "kokomo" beach boys:

06-20-2008, 07:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lagniappe Banana Padawan Lagniappe's Photo Gallery Location: North La Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Pete Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 805 BananaBucks : 8,079 Feedback: 20 / 100% Thanks: 185 Thanked 154 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 236	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is Check this out . Supposedly larger seeds than the regular E. Ventricosum and they grow them in Ecuador . Picture and details of ENSETE sp. unknown var. Seeds and Bulbs - Tropical Plant Seed I ordered regular Ventricosum seeds from there last year and they all flowered after 5-6 months @ 5-7 ' tall . Not the giants I had hoped for but neat non the less. __________________ I'm not tipsy ! I'm just not very articulate and maybe a lil tipsy . Last edited by Lagniappe : 06-20-2008 at 07:57 PM.

06-20-2008, 08:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
lorax Banana Coloured lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Zone: 12/13 Tropical Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 453 BananaBucks : 267 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 45 Thanked 190 Times in 118 Posts Welcomes: 120	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is I couldn't get far away enough from the tree to get a full photo. I've got an up-the-trunk shot if you like, but it's not really that descriptive. __________________ I speak for the trees.

06-21-2008, 11:50 AM	#14 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,673 BananaBucks : 2,270 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 513 Thanked 333 Times in 200 Posts Welcomes: 168	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is That is a nice plant - love the interesting flower!! Cassie

06-21-2008, 01:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 616 BananaBucks : 8,681 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 3	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is Looks similar to the flower on a E. Glaucum. __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

07-20-2008, 08:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
paula Junior Member paula's Photo Gallery Location: nj. Zone: 7 Name: paula Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 131 BananaBucks : 1,319 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 12 Thanked 22 Times in 15 Posts Welcomes: 25	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is That is cool.

07-20-2008, 09:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
Rmplmnz Banana Patch Attendent Rmplmnz's Photo Gallery Location: Tampa Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Rmplmnz Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 826 BananaBucks : 5,023 Feedback: 36 / 100% Thanks: 128 Thanked 131 Times in 46 Posts Welcomes: 2	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is Very cool....bananas are amazing............ Sabas August 2004 (in the back right corner..praying hands are in the foreground in front of the Sabas)...........right before 8 hurricanes in two years...knock on wood..we are getting rainfall equivalent to 2004....we just need to skip the Hurricanes [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] __________________

07-20-2008, 10:36 PM	#18 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Name: Dean Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,199 BananaBucks : 8,195 Feedback: 6 / 100% Thanks: 645 Thanked 223 Times in 210 Posts Welcomes: 199	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is Thoses are some large plants! Would never get that big here I'm afraid. __________________ Dean

07-21-2008, 01:57 PM	#19 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,673 BananaBucks : 2,270 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 513 Thanked 333 Times in 200 Posts Welcomes: 168	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is Wow!

07-21-2008, 05:47 PM	#20 (permalink)
saltydad saltydad's Photo Gallery Location: Silver Spring, Maryland Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Howard Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 682 BananaBucks : 346 Feedback: 1 / 100% Thanks: 450 Thanked 122 Times in 85 Posts Welcomes: 141	Re: Any idea what this giant nanner is Not in my wildest dreams................but wouldn't it be great? __________________ Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"