Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

I'm dying to try a Gros Michel banana. I realize these are both rare and widely dispursed throughout the world, and that I am looking at paying an arm and a leg for shipping, but I am absolutely dying to try one. I have 8 friends who are going to split the cost with me. Does anyone know where I might be able to find some to ship in?

Thanks to everyone in advance!!!

Mike

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Mike, looks like you are in the same boat as Bob!
The nearest thing you can get from the Gros Michel subgroup is the Thai and Indon similars.

The Thai ones are the Kluay Hom Thong, Kluay Hom Thong Plork and the Kluay Hom Thong Short Fruit. The Indon equivalent is the Pisang Ambon.

So far I have only managed to locate the Kluay Hong Thong and the Kluay Hom Thong Short Fruit.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Good luck Mike! I haven't tasted one since my earliest chilhood. Basically I do remember they're sweeter and if I'm not mistaken had more vestigal seeds(the faint black makings in the middle) than the Cavendish we are forced to eat today. I've been looking for a while now. If I ever do get one and am able to produce pups I'll keep you in mind. I'd probably ask one of the other members if he'd TC it(one of the pups) for me so there would be a small supply for members here. Good luck. With persistance we'll come up with one.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Oi Bob, be patient man! This is the latest pix of the Kluay Hom Thong taken 22.03.09 of the pups which regenerated from the 2 big suckers I got from Bkk in Dec '08. They have just started to grow. I will transfer them to another spot in 2 wks time for better growth. As you can see, there are 4 pups here already and it's only 3mths+.

As for the Kluay Hom Thong Short Fruit, only 1 pup each have regrown from the 2 original suckers. I have yet to locate the elusive Pisang Ambon.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Guys, I might have a line on survivors of the actual 'Gros Michel' line. Let me do some more poking around and get my licensing in line. If I do get pups, you'll be the first recipients.

Otherwise, I'd advise you to start looking for 'FHIA 23' which is a 'Gros Michel'-based hybrid.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

That would be incredible!

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

:woohoonaner: That would be Very Cool!!!!!
Kylie

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Actually I'm going to go out on a limb and correct lorax on this one. The FHIA 23 is a gros michel type with no gros michel in it's lineage. It is probably a great tasting banana(I've got 2 ready to go in the ground). I got this from Jon at Encanto farms when doing research on them(GM) early last fall. Thanks again Jon for taking the time to send me the links. I think there is info posted on his site as well. I got mine from Going Bananas but last time I talked to Don I'm pretty sure he said they weren't going to have them anymore. Anyway if these get pups I'll make them available to members here.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Hey Bob, this one's for you. This is the Pisang 'Moon' with an ambiguous background. It is a very rare and old cultivar of which I can't find any info on it here. It went off the block at about the same time as the Gros Michel. I have a hunch it may be the real deal GM.

Does anyone out there have pix of the GM with fruits and bud for comparison with this pix?

The p-stem is approx 9ft.


I found the plant in an Orang Asli village as the headman, Ulang, kept it from his father's time. He's 60 yrs old now. So the timing seems quite near the era of the GM. I got a pup from him.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Thanks man. They look more like it. I'm going to see if I can dig upsome pics to post.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Yup, those are totally Maqueños. I'll be asking around after pups sometime next month provided that my export permits come through.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

What does Maqueños translate to?

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

No flower bud, but here's a picture of a bunch from John_NY's gallery:

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Please put me on the list in the event this comes to fruition, Beth!

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Something quite rude. In the most polite terms, it refers to the fact that ripe ones are as long as a lady's forearm, and about as big around.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

HaHA!


Maquenos were cheap in the market today! A short hand for 50 centavos, which usually costs a buck. I'm gonna savour these!

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

what are u willing to pay for one

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

I'm willing to pay up to $1 for a full or heavy hand (10-12 bananas). I'm willing to pay up to $20 for a pup, but I generally prefer to trade with farmers here.

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

Nice!

Re: Arm and Leg for Big Mike/Gros Michel Bananas?
 

if mine fruits this year i will send u a hand if u dont taste one by that time