sunfish

venturabananas

I don't speak Samoan (Somoa is where Misi Luki comes from), but I have seen three very different varieties listed as being called Misi Luki in Samoa (in a publication by Jeff Daniels): a Mysore cultivar, a Pome cultivar, and Yangambi KM5. My guess is that "Misi Luki" is used in Samoa much the same way that "Ladyfinger" is used in the US, which is to say, very broadly and without referring to any specific cultivar. So I think the claim that the "real" Misi Luki is a Mysore is not actually true -- Misi Luki in Samoa could be one of several cultivars.

I like "Misi Awak" for the "Misi Luki" that is sold in the US, though "Misi Namwah" ain't bad.

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Clare_CA

Here is my 'Misi Luki,' which is flowering for the first time. I purchased my first start from Stokes Tropicals. Is this one Pisang Awak too? I don't have the red on the back of the leaves either, but there is a slight pink tone to rib on the back of a new leaf. This banana is only about six feet tall at the top of the p-stem. Thanks in advance.

venturabananas

Clare, it sure doesn't look like Pisang Awak or Mysore to me. It looks more like dwarf Orinoco, but I'm not sure about that. Both Pisang Awak and Mysore would have more closely spaced hands and P. Awak would have more white powdery wax on the fruits. Who knows what they sold you?!

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Clare_CA

Thanks, Mark. Maybe Gabe will see this and tell us:-) I appreciate your help.

caliboy1994

I saw a plant lableled Mysore at my local high-end nursery, and the undersides of the leaves were red just like the one in the photo.

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Richard

Today I brought the Pisang Awak (aka Agristarts Misi Luki) bunch inside to ripen over the winter. It has been 4 months since the 1st hand came out.

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Richard

Here's the first ripening finger, weighing in at 218 grams (1/2 lb).

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RAINFOREZT

What's is the difference between the fruits of these D.Namwah and Tall Namwah( agri start's misi luki). Do they taste same? or what's taste better?

venturabananas

Holy moly Richard! I didn't realize that Pisang Awak fruits got that big. That's the size of a plantain (I just weighed one I have). The dwarf Namwah and Misi Luki Awak fruits I've had have all been in the 75-100 g range.

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Richard

Its six inches long and two inches wide. I'm accustom to seeing (haven't grown any) plantains 10 to 16 inches long and two inches wide.

The African Rhinohorn I grew right next to it received the same nutrition and produced fruits 6 inches long and about 1.25 inches wide, weighing about 100 grams. But keep in mind that the A. Rhinohorn looks unhappy during my "winter" but the Misi Luki Awak only slowed down a bit.

I think there are 3 Pisang Awak cultivars out there: Agristarts "Dwarf Namwa" (about 6' pstem), AgriStarts "Misi Luki" (about 11' pstem), and "standard" Pisang Awak (about 15' pstem) -- all heights being relative to southern California environment.

My wife is the official taste tester around here. I'll let you know how she thinks the D. Namwa and M. Luki match up.

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momoese

Gabe15

That is the US Mainland Pisang Awak "Misi Luki", not the Mysore one.

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Richard

Sue says: The Misi Luki Awak fruit is a bit sweeter, creamier, and has more banana flavor.

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momoese

When she says "banana flavor" she means Cavendish flavor right?

Richard

I don't think she's ever tasted fresh Cavendish! She means that it is missing sub-acid overtones, does not have a starchy taste, and yet has more banana flavor.

My opinion is that it has the same great taste as Dwarf Namwa Awak, but at a 1/2 pound per finger there is just a lot more banana!

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venturabananas

This was in comparison to dwarf Namwah?

Especially with the Awak types, the flavor changes hugely with ripeness. When I eat them at the same stage as I would a Cavendish (yellow with maybe a hint of green), to my tastes they are pretty poor. When you let them get riper, no green and some black on the peel, they get really sweet and have a nice creamy texture. I think the average person who is used to eating Cavendish bought at the grocery store would not be impressed with the Pisang Awak types because they'd eat them before they got ripe enough.

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momoese

That's been my experience too. They really need to ripen!

Richard

Well, Mitchel 2nd'ed the motion so I'll 3rd it!

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Bananaman88

I finally got my "Misi Luki" to flower early in the year! I know from all of our discussions on the topic here that it is incorrectly ID'd (hence the double quotes). I'm hoping that these photos will help to ID it positively now. Gabe, what do you think now?