Puerto Rican bananas?
 

I got five big banana corms that are supposed to be from Puerto Rico. I was 'told' that they are the same as they've been growing there for the past 50 years etc etc.

The corms looked a lot like black coconuts when I planted them. But all but one are growing now. The best one is growing very fast!

So a thread is useless without pictures.
And I'll have to edit and add in pictures. Sigh. Stupid iPhone.

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So any ideas? I'm really pleased they're growing well. So far I've only lost one banana(my Gros Michal Zeke *sad*) and I guess one corm since one never grew. I've given them all fertilizer. They get plenty of water, either from rain or me watering them. Well drained, somewhat sandy soil, with added compost. LOTS of sun.

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

They look Puerto Rican

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

*facepalms*

Thank you sunfish.

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

Not Puerto Rican, not even Spanish.

They look French, probably Haitian.

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

French-Haitian bananas from Puerto Rico living in Florida.

Got it.

Sounds like something from an AfterSchool special.

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

wolfyhound,

That one does look like Puertorican bananas aka (Maricongo) aka Musa Puerto Rican "Cuerno de Alce"

I have 3 certified Musa Puerto Rican "Cuerno de Alce" I personally brought from P.R and mine look very similar. Look at the pics below so you can compare the plants.







NOTE:
This last one is Hawaiian (Musa Hua Moa) but yours is definitvly not a Hua Moa. Hua Moa plants do not have any red on the leaves.

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

Thank you! I think these look very similar.

These came from Puerto Rico, just not certain what kind. I found a lot of pictures of the bananas from Cuerno de Alce but not as many pictures of the plants.

At any rate, I'm super pleased with the growth so far!

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

Definitely not a Maricongo which is a False Horn Plantain,

not a Cuerno de Alce which is a Horn Plantain,

it's not a French Horn Plantain or even a French Plantain.

vitin6039, Who did the certification?

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

By certified I mean my family been growing this variety for many years and I literary dug the corms from a Maricongo plant that have bananas on it, boxed then and shipped to my self before I left.

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

Maricongo Pup


Maricongo Pup


Cuerno de Alce Pups


Cuerno de Alce Pup


French Plantain Pup


French Plantain Pup

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

Wouldn't it have been safer to bring them in your baggage ? :woohoonaner:

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

What is the proper Scientific name for Maricongo if not "Cuerno de Alce"?

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

I was not sure if the department of agriculture will allowed to happen so I mailed priority mail. They got home in great condition because well developed before I dug them up.
Here is how they arrived:(See the picture below)

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

Here are some photos to show the difference between a Maricongo and a Cuerno de Alce, it is almost impossible to get them confused with each other.

Maricongo Bunch


Cuerno de Alce Bunch


Cuerno de Alce Fruit

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

So these plants originated in PR ? They are native ?

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

These plants originated in Xandu and are referenced in Kubla Khan.

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

Ok, Mines are 100% Maricongo wonder whats the correct name for the Maricongo cultivar.

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

cool beans

Re: Puerto Rican bananas?
 

So is this a good banana tree for zone 8a ?