Chinkeys! Mystery solved!
 

According to local Lore, the local Pass-along Banana was brought by a seaman to his wife in the late 19th, early 20th century. Until recently(thanks to Global Warning), they never even reached blooming stage. The "buzz" wasthat these were 'Gros Michel' plants. Well, the stand at my folk's house fruited this Fall. They're the Common stubby "Burro" Bananas....
Cheers,
Pat

Re: Chinkeys! Mystery solved!
 

Hey Pat.

Well, the mystery may be solved for you - but its just starting for me:ha:!!! What the heck is a "common stubby "burro" banana"???

I grew up in FWB and still have family there, was "home" for the weekend just a couple of weeks ago. Anyway, I thought the local pass-along banana was Orinoco. I don't remember ever really seeing anything else. Can you post some pictures? I'd love to see if it is something different and maybe put a real name to it. Was the seaman Billy Bowlegs by any chance?

Russell

Re: Chinkeys! Mystery solved!
 

The common "stubby burro banana" is an Orinoco.

Re: Chinkeys! Mystery solved!
 

'Orinoco' is one of the Burro types, though everyone I knew at the FWB Garden Club thought our local was the 'Michel Gros'. Since my bird wrecked my camera I've been unable to send pics. They're about the size and shape of a Potato and look like they'd been painted by a Cubist Artist;>....
Had a Cold Snap last night so I don't think it'll Ripen...
Cheers,
Pat

Re: Chinkeys! Mystery solved!
 

If it is indeed orinoco, lord knows there is no need for pictures. Its just that this is the first time I've ever heard it call anything other than "that banana".

So did you guys find any cold damage? I didn't - at least not yet.

R

Re: Chinkeys! Mystery solved!
 

Pat - if you have a good cultivar that ripens on the plant with an orange skin (which it sounds as if you have) - they are the best tasting nana ever - just don't let people cut them down too soon - or try to eat them until they soften. This type cannot be eaten like a store banana. They have to be really ripe.

Re: Chinkeys! Mystery solved!
 

Nope. Close(34F) but not even spot Freezes. Better safe than sorry anyway;>. Hoping for another couple of weeks to size up the Yuca/Manioc/Tapioca tubers though....
Cheers,
Pat

Re: Chinkeys! Mystery solved!
 

That's the problem. Up unto about a decade ago they never Bloomed because our Summers weren't long enough. Now, they sometimes bloom but I've never heard of anyone getting them to Ripen on tree and as you pointed out, they don't "do" the kitchen counter thang";>.....
It's why I'm trying two "cold-tolerant"new nanners as well as those that fruit fairly consistantly 120 miles East of me: Dwarf Namwa.
Cheers,
Pat