Apple vs Brazilian?

Mike Lee · 08-21-2006, 10:40 PM

Alright just when I thought I was getting things figured out, I find myself confused as ever on what I've got.

I originally bought an "Apple" banana plant from Greenearth's web site. And they described the fruit as what I remember eating in Guatemala. A small, tart apple tasting banana when ripe.

However, after visiting Joe Real and hearing him be so enthusiastic about Dwarf Brazilian, I read a little about Dwarfs and Tall Brazilians. And then see references to Tall Brazilians as Hawaiian Apple Bananas.

So my question is... Is my Apple banana a Tall Brazilian? Is a Hawaiian apple different than an apple?

If anyone can lift this cloud of confusion, it'd be greatly appreciated!

JoeReal · 08-22-2006, 02:57 AM

Depends upon who you talk to. But if the Apple banana has a synonym of Manzano, then that is the Apple Banana. The apple banana is also known as Tundan or La Tundan in the Philippines and is never referred to as apple banana in the Philippines. The key word for this one is Manzano, from the word Manzanas which means apple in Spanish. Since banana is platano, a male term, so Manzano is used instead of Manzanas. Why is the banana associated with male name?, well it is obvious from the shape.

The Brazilian (regular and dwarf) are sometimes referred to as "Hawaiian" Apple Banana. The key word here is Hawaiian or if you talk to someone from Hawaii, then it could be the brazilian banana.

tlturbo · 08-22-2006, 07:01 AM

I'm in the process of getting a Hawaiian Apple. The mother plant is a BIG plant 18-20 feet tall. Here in S FL we have Mansano bananas in the grocery. They are little 4-5 inch things. So my question is what really is the Hawaiian Apple and where is it from? Hawaii or Brazil?

Terry

momoese · 08-22-2006, 10:07 AM

The Apples I have has always been called Hawaiian Apple and had the nick name of Orange Sherbet. The fruits are small, 4-5 inches with an orange colored flesh and acidic taste. My largest plant which is the fist pup from the mother plant has 17' feet of p-stem and still no flower. The leaves must be at least 10 feet long making the whole plant about 27-30 feet tall. It is in the most sunny spot in my Apple mat so I know it's not stretching looking for the sun. The circumference of the p-stem at the base is currently 50 inches! The color of the p-stems on the 2nd year plants in a frosty lime green with some black mixed in. My mother plants came from the Marine Biologist Charles Moore who founded Long Beach Organic. My 3 original mother plants are all fruiting now with about 9-10 feet of p-stem and about 70 fingers per bunch.

tlturbo · 08-22-2006, 10:41 AM

50 inch base wow.

Sounds like a pretty impressive plant - how about a photo of the "grove"?

Terry

MediaHound · 08-22-2006, 12:22 PM

My Apple:

That sounds awesome, Mitchel!

From www.bananaplants.net (Greenearth) where I bought mine,

Quote:

Apple banana tree - banana plant ships now

Dessert type banana tree, pleasant apple flavor when fully ripe. Fruit: 4 to 6 inches. This banana tree grows to 10 to 12 feet. The size and quality of this banana tree makes it one of the worlds best eating bananas as well as one of the best dessert bananas. Very thin skined when ripe and super flavor. Sweetest banana I've ever eaten. Excellent banana tree for container growing as in the ground. Nice looking too. Healthy approx. 12" to 18" banana plant shipped with soil.

From their other site:
http://www.banana-plants.com/Apple.html

Quote:

Growing Information
Temp: For best growth above 65°F is recommended. Wind tolerant
Light: Full sun to no less than 30% shade. Foliage growers should use 30%-60% shade.
Soil: Good water holding capacity is needed
Mature Height: 14-16
Type: Dessert
Hardiness: Zone 9-10
This plant is seedless diploid that is rendered so by bearing
sterile female flowers. It is not produced commercially on
large scale but it is usually grown in backyards for family
consumption. Its sub-acid flavor is reminiscent of a cross
between an apple and a very sweet banana, which make a
pleasing combination. It must be allowed to ripen fully
before eating. The plant is quite cold hardy and will not be
harmed by temperatures that are close to freezing. If frost
is allowed to form on its leaves they will turn brown. The
plant grows 12 to 14 feet tall and is mostly green colored
with just a light margin of red around the leaf.

Mike Lee · 08-22-2006, 01:46 PM

Joe, by the way, thanks again for the dwarf brazilian pup and for the common name assistance!

Mitchel, it sounds like the Hawaiian Apple can be quite a monster plant. Apart from the orange flesh is the taste at all similar to a Manzano Apple?

mikevan · 08-22-2006, 03:33 PM

So I need to re-label mine as a Hawaiian Apple and put Manzano on my to-get list? I can't wait for this thing to fruit - sounds delicious! Looking to see how it compares to the Manzano fruit.

A hui hou,
Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by momoese

The Apples I have has always been called Hawaiian Apple and had the nick name of Orange Sherbet. The fruits are small, 4-5 inches with an orange colored flesh and acidic taste. My largest plant which is the fist pup from the mother plant has 17' feet of p-stem and still no flower. The leaves must be at least 10 feet long making the whole plant about 27-30 feet tall. It is in the most sunny spot in my Apple mat so I know it's not stretching looking for the sun. The circumference of the p-stem at the base is currently 50 inches! The color of the p-stems on the 2nd year plants in a frosty lime green with some black mixed in. My mother plants came from the Marine Biologist Charles Moore who founded Long Beach Organic. My 3 original mother plants are all fruiting now with about 9-10 feet of p-stem and about 70 fingers per bunch.

momoese · 08-22-2006, 04:47 PM

I've never had the Manzano so I can't tell ya. I can't imagine any banana tasting better though!

Terry, check my gallery photos. In the one with my wife and dog, the Hawaiian Apples are to the right side, or my left as I was sitting there. That picture is dated so I'll try to get a new one this evening.

mikevan · 08-22-2006, 04:51 PM

You know, you're not making the 15 month wait for fruit pass by any faster. Sigh. Is it flowering yet? H'bout now? Now?

I have a brazilian and dwarf brazilian, so a side-by-side comparison will be simple. I'll get the Monzano too... And then I'll get a lawn chair, some lemonade and chips and sit back and wait for the bananas...

Be well,
Mike

Quote:

Originally Posted by momoese

I've never had the Manzano so I can't tell ya. I can't imagine any banana tasting better though!

momoese · 08-22-2006, 08:38 PM

Ok guys, new pictures from this evening. The top of the fence behind them is a bit over 8 feet tall. That should give you an idea how tall they are.

The mat.

The base of the p-stem.

A view looking up at the tallest one.

The fruit now just starting to round off some.

If you want to see the full size pics they are in the gallery.

Mike, just to make your wait and your snack a little nicer I'll send you a few when they get close.

mikevan · 08-22-2006, 08:50 PM

Oh those are stunning! It's neat to see how mine will grow!

Thanks,
Mike

MediaHound · 08-23-2006, 11:14 AM

Monsters! Great photos!
congrats

08-21-2006, 10:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mike Lee way too crazy about fruit Location: Forestville, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 6,773 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Apple vs Brazilian? Alright just when I thought I was getting things figured out, I find myself confused as ever on what I've got. I originally bought an "Apple" banana plant from Greenearth's web site. And they described the fruit as what I remember eating in Guatemala. A small, tart apple tasting banana when ripe. However, after visiting Joe Real and hearing him be so enthusiastic about Dwarf Brazilian, I read a little about Dwarfs and Tall Brazilians. And then see references to Tall Brazilians as Hawaiian Apple Bananas. So my question is... Is my Apple banana a Tall Brazilian? Is a Hawaiian apple different than an apple? If anyone can lift this cloud of confusion, it'd be greatly appreciated! __________________ Mike Lee Forestville, CA Zone 9

08-22-2006, 02:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
JoeReal Senior Member JoeReal's Photo Gallery Location: Davis, California USDA zone 9 Find me on the map! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,034 BananaBucks : 406,728 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 108 Times Was Thanked 474 Times in 228 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 16 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? Depends upon who you talk to. But if the Apple banana has a synonym of Manzano, then that is the Apple Banana. The apple banana is also known as Tundan or La Tundan in the Philippines and is never referred to as apple banana in the Philippines. The key word for this one is Manzano, from the word Manzanas which means apple in Spanish. Since banana is platano, a male term, so Manzano is used instead of Manzanas. Why is the banana associated with male name?, well it is obvious from the shape. The Brazilian (regular and dwarf) are sometimes referred to as "Hawaiian" Apple Banana. The key word here is Hawaiian or if you talk to someone from Hawaii, then it could be the brazilian banana.

08-22-2006, 07:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
tlturbo WUTSA V8 tlturbo's Photo Gallery Location: Bokeelia, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Terry Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 365 BananaBucks : 108,369 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 87 Times in 51 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? I'm in the process of getting a Hawaiian Apple. The mother plant is a BIG plant 18-20 feet tall. Here in S FL we have Mansano bananas in the grocery. They are little 4-5 inch things. So my question is what really is the Hawaiian Apple and where is it from? Hawaii or Brazil? Terry

08-22-2006, 10:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,589 BananaBucks : 12,115 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,747 Times Was Thanked 10,885 Times in 3,309 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 728 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? The Apples I have has always been called Hawaiian Apple and had the nick name of Orange Sherbet. The fruits are small, 4-5 inches with an orange colored flesh and acidic taste. My largest plant which is the fist pup from the mother plant has 17' feet of p-stem and still no flower. The leaves must be at least 10 feet long making the whole plant about 27-30 feet tall. It is in the most sunny spot in my Apple mat so I know it's not stretching looking for the sun. The circumference of the p-stem at the base is currently 50 inches! The color of the p-stems on the 2nd year plants in a frosty lime green with some black mixed in. My mother plants came from the Marine Biologist Charles Moore who founded Long Beach Organic. My 3 original mother plants are all fruiting now with about 9-10 feet of p-stem and about 70 fingers per bunch.

08-22-2006, 10:41 AM	#5 (permalink)
tlturbo WUTSA V8 tlturbo's Photo Gallery Location: Bokeelia, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Terry Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 365 BananaBucks : 108,369 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 87 Times in 51 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? 50 inch base wow. Sounds like a pretty impressive plant - how about a photo of the "grove"? Terry

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08-22-2006, 01:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mike Lee way too crazy about fruit Location: Forestville, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 6,773 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? Joe, by the way, thanks again for the dwarf brazilian pup and for the common name assistance! Mitchel, it sounds like the Hawaiian Apple can be quite a monster plant. Apart from the orange flesh is the taste at all similar to a Manzano Apple? __________________ Mike Lee Forestville, CA Zone 9

08-22-2006, 04:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,589 BananaBucks : 12,115 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,747 Times Was Thanked 10,885 Times in 3,309 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 728 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? I've never had the Manzano so I can't tell ya. I can't imagine any banana tasting better though! Terry, check my gallery photos. In the one with my wife and dog, the Hawaiian Apples are to the right side, or my left as I was sitting there. That picture is dated so I'll try to get a new one this evening.

08-22-2006, 08:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,589 BananaBucks : 12,115 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,747 Times Was Thanked 10,885 Times in 3,309 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 728 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? Ok guys, new pictures from this evening. The top of the fence behind them is a bit over 8 feet tall. That should give you an idea how tall they are. The mat. The base of the p-stem. A view looking up at the tallest one. The fruit now just starting to round off some. If you want to see the full size pics they are in the gallery. Mike, just to make your wait and your snack a little nicer I'll send you a few when they get close.

08-22-2006, 08:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
mikevan Member mikevan's Photo Gallery Location: Texas, Zone 8 Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Mike V. Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 247 BananaBucks : 15,483 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 36 Times in 22 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? Oh those are stunning! It's neat to see how mine will grow! Thanks, Mike

08-23-2006, 11:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
MediaHound Tally-Man MediaHound's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Jarred Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,260 BananaBucks : 1,988,878 Feedback: 66 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,855 Times Was Thanked 5,078 Times in 1,352 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,086 Times	Re: Apple vs Brazilian? Monsters! Great photos! congrats __________________ Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

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