Mekong Giant Sources

exovetek · 03-01-2016, 10:01 PM

I was shopping around for Mekong Giant and came across a huge inconsistency in prices. Brian Williams (Brian's Botanicals) is selling it in a 4.5" pot for a whopping $55.99, while Florida Hills (not so reputable) and Wellspring Gardens are selling it for $9. The most enticing is the 1 gallon pot from Raintree Nursery for $24.50.

According to Plant Delights Nursery, it originated as a seedling selection by Brian Williams. But according to Brian's site, it is from China. So I'm confused. Is Brian's a different strain or more "genuine" so to speak? Or has he just not caught on to the the fact that is now in mass production (TC)?

Sources:
Musa xishuangbannaensis Mekong Giant PPAF, Banana, Musa Mekong Giant, buy Musa Mekong Giant for sale, buy Banana for sale
briansbotanicals - Musa 'Mekong Giant' PP24315
Bananas - Raintree Nursery
Musa Mekong Giant Banana tree zones 6-10 Musa Mekong Giant Banana tree [] - $8.99 : Buy Banana Plants & More Tropical Plants For Sale, Florida Hill Nursery

Botanical_Bryce · 03-02-2016, 06:07 AM

I wondered the same things. I since changed my mind and woul rather get Musa ingens which gets bigger.

pushak513 · 03-02-2016, 11:08 AM

the mekongs brian has at that price are for huge corms id say 10 plus pounds, while the ones from wellspring are tc plants. mekong giant is a seed selection from brian from seed collected in china but started at his nursery.mekong is a good banana introduced by a good friend of mine. hope that clears it up

Botanical_Bryce · 03-02-2016, 11:35 AM

If the corms he sells are ten lbs then he may not want to advertise that they are in four and one half inch pots.

pushak513 · 03-02-2016, 12:18 PM

the website is new and he does not make it himself but i will let him know. i think there were a couple for sale last year around 30ft tall for a couple hundred bucks or somthing.either way its a good banana. care to share where your going to get ingens? i dont even see seed for sale anymore

Botanical_Bryce · 03-02-2016, 12:47 PM

Looking for private collectors.

pushak513 · 03-02-2016, 01:21 PM

good luck to you from what i understand and everything i have read cultivation is almost impossible outside its native area

Botanical_Bryce · 03-02-2016, 02:15 PM

Bummer

exovetek · 03-02-2016, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

I wondered the same things. I since changed my mind and woul rather get Musa ingens which gets bigger.

Ingens was genetically engineered by InGen, the company that made the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. They will only survive on Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna.

exovetek · 03-02-2016, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

If the corms he sells are ten lbs then he may not want to advertise that they are in four and one half inch pots.

Thank you. Exactly what I was thinking. I've ordered from Brian's before. He always sends healthy plant's, but usually small TC starts.

Botanical_Bryce · 03-02-2016, 03:31 PM

I like the plants I got from him.

exovetek · 03-02-2016, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

I like the plants I got from him.

Me too, it's just that for $56 i'd like to know what I am getting. If it is a 10lb corm, that's an ok deal. I sent him an email inquiry. Ill share the answer when I get a response.

pushak513 · 03-02-2016, 04:02 PM

yeah there were some larger ones for sale awhile back. havent been in a few weeks. local place has some for 20 i think about 3 ft tall but there so rootbound not sure how i could ship em

exovetek · 03-05-2016, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botanical_Bryce

If the corms he sells are ten lbs then he may not want to advertise that they are in four and one half inch pots.

I emailed him and he updated the site. They are large corms. I placed an order. He usually doesn't ship till spring though, so we'll see what I get.

pushak513 · 03-05-2016, 10:56 PM

Was pretty sure that was the case..glad you got it cleared up good luck and leave room..they get biiiiiiig

cincinnana · 08-09-2017, 06:37 AM

I stopped by Brians Botanicals a few weeks ago near Louisville, Kentucky

The moment I pulled into the parking lot to the moment I left, I was slack jawed.

Local forum member Pushak513 had kept telling me "you gotta go there sometime, you gotta go"

I had stopped to just "run in and pick up a few Mekongs" on the way back home from a fishing trip.

Well, after Brians 40 minute greenhouse/display tour and pulling the plant wagon around a few acres it was needless to say I had left with more than just a few Mekongs.

Family operated.

Two thumbs up!

pushak513 · 08-09-2017, 01:28 PM

Really glad you enjoyed it cincinanna. As embarassing as this is..i have my own personal wagon there lol. Lifes been busy so i havent been down but let me know next time your coming through and stop by my place as well.

exovetek · 08-22-2017, 06:25 AM

Be careful with the Mekong. It needs space. I planted mine last summer. It started of slower than the Basjoos this spring but surpassed them by mid summer. Now I have Mekong's popping up everywhere like bamboo. I think Mekong Giant is definitely a keeper here in the pacific northwest so long as it does't end up on the invasive species list. The Basjoos are pupping prolifically as well, but forming tight clumps and not growing as tall and wide as the Mekong. The Orinoco is lagging behind both.

cincinnana · 09-12-2017, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exovetek

Be careful with the Mekong. It needs space. I planted mine last summer. It started of slower than the Basjoos this spring but surpassed them by mid summer. Now I have Mekong's popping up everywhere like bamboo. I think Mekong Giant is definitely a keeper here in the pacific northwest so long as it does't end up on the invasive species list. The Basjoos are pupping prolifically as well, but forming tight clumps and not growing as tall and wide as the Mekong. The Orinoco is lagging behind both.

I am on my first year with this plant......
The large mat I had seen in Kentucky(Brians Botanicals) did not have the height and mass as my(Basjoo) plants. But it covered a lot more acreage

You wouldn't happen to have a photo do you?

I have no idea of the size potential of this plant .

Higher_Ground · 09-20-2017, 02:52 PM

Hi, new to the forum so please forgive me if I trip up.

Most of my experience has been with Mekong Giants. I uploaded a couple photos to my gallery from 2013 and 2014, but for some reason I couldn't get the ones form '15, '16, and this summer to load.

Either way, they topped out around the same height each year. It's just that the newer photos (that won't upload?) have way more banana trees in the picture. I started with 1 in 2012 and had ~40 this summer.

03-01-2016, 10:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
exovetek Botananaist exovetek's Photo Gallery Location: Tacoma, WA Zone: 8B Name: Seth Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 149 BananaBucks : 23,130 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 90 Times Was Thanked 166 Times in 65 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Mekong Giant Sources I was shopping around for Mekong Giant and came across a huge inconsistency in prices. Brian Williams (Brian's Botanicals) is selling it in a 4.5" pot for a whopping $55.99, while Florida Hills (not so reputable) and Wellspring Gardens are selling it for $9. The most enticing is the 1 gallon pot from Raintree Nursery for $24.50. According to Plant Delights Nursery, it originated as a seedling selection by Brian Williams. But according to Brian's site, it is from China. So I'm confused. Is Brian's a different strain or more "genuine" so to speak? Or has he just not caught on to the the fact that is now in mass production (TC)? Sources: Musa xishuangbannaensis Mekong Giant PPAF, Banana, Musa Mekong Giant, buy Musa Mekong Giant for sale, buy Banana for sale briansbotanicals - Musa 'Mekong Giant' PP24315 Bananas - Raintree Nursery Musa Mekong Giant Banana tree zones 6-10 Musa Mekong Giant Banana tree [] - $8.99 : Buy Banana Plants & More Tropical Plants For Sale, Florida Hill Nursery

03-02-2016, 06:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 76,478 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources I wondered the same things. I since changed my mind and woul rather get Musa ingens which gets bigger.

03-02-2016, 11:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
pushak513 Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 191 BananaBucks : 24,267 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 204 Times in 95 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources the mekongs brian has at that price are for huge corms id say 10 plus pounds, while the ones from wellspring are tc plants. mekong giant is a seed selection from brian from seed collected in china but started at his nursery.mekong is a good banana introduced by a good friend of mine. hope that clears it up

03-02-2016, 11:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 76,478 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources If the corms he sells are ten lbs then he may not want to advertise that they are in four and one half inch pots.

03-02-2016, 12:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
pushak513 Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 191 BananaBucks : 24,267 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 204 Times in 95 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources the website is new and he does not make it himself but i will let him know. i think there were a couple for sale last year around 30ft tall for a couple hundred bucks or somthing.either way its a good banana. care to share where your going to get ingens? i dont even see seed for sale anymore

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03-02-2016, 12:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 76,478 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources Looking for private collectors.

03-02-2016, 01:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
pushak513 Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 191 BananaBucks : 24,267 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 204 Times in 95 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources good luck to you from what i understand and everything i have read cultivation is almost impossible outside its native area

03-02-2016, 02:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 76,478 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources Bummer

03-02-2016, 03:31 PM	#11 (permalink)
Botanical_Bryce Location: Inverness, Florida Zone: 9a Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 881 BananaBucks : 76,478 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 1,459 Times in 636 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources I like the plants I got from him.

03-02-2016, 04:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
pushak513 Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 191 BananaBucks : 24,267 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 204 Times in 95 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources yeah there were some larger ones for sale awhile back. havent been in a few weeks. local place has some for 20 i think about 3 ft tall but there so rootbound not sure how i could ship em

03-05-2016, 10:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
pushak513 Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 191 BananaBucks : 24,267 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 204 Times in 95 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources Was pretty sure that was the case..glad you got it cleared up good luck and leave room..they get biiiiiiig

08-09-2017, 06:37 AM	#16 (permalink)
cincinnana container grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A.🇺🇸 Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 8,782 BananaBucks : 597 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,865 Times Was Thanked 11,705 Times in 4,870 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,943 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources I stopped by Brians Botanicals a few weeks ago near Louisville, Kentucky The moment I pulled into the parking lot to the moment I left, I was slack jawed. Local forum member Pushak513 had kept telling me "you gotta go there sometime, you gotta go" I had stopped to just "run in and pick up a few Mekongs" on the way back home from a fishing trip. Well, after Brians 40 minute greenhouse/display tour and pulling the plant wagon around a few acres it was needless to say I had left with more than just a few Mekongs. Family operated. Two thumbs up! __________________ Cincinnana/Hostafarians Photo Gallery 🌴 Last edited by cincinnana : 08-09-2017 at 08:45 AM.

08-09-2017, 01:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
pushak513 Zone: 6-7 Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 191 BananaBucks : 24,267 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 204 Times in 95 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources Really glad you enjoyed it cincinanna. As embarassing as this is..i have my own personal wagon there lol. Lifes been busy so i havent been down but let me know next time your coming through and stop by my place as well.

08-22-2017, 06:25 AM	#18 (permalink)
exovetek Botananaist exovetek's Photo Gallery Location: Tacoma, WA Zone: 8B Name: Seth Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 149 BananaBucks : 23,130 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 90 Times Was Thanked 166 Times in 65 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources Be careful with the Mekong. It needs space. I planted mine last summer. It started of slower than the Basjoos this spring but surpassed them by mid summer. Now I have Mekong's popping up everywhere like bamboo. I think Mekong Giant is definitely a keeper here in the pacific northwest so long as it does't end up on the invasive species list. The Basjoos are pupping prolifically as well, but forming tight clumps and not growing as tall and wide as the Mekong. The Orinoco is lagging behind both.

09-20-2017, 02:52 PM	#20 (permalink)
Higher_Ground Location: Columbia, SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 8 BananaBucks : 455 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Mekong Giant Sources Hi, new to the forum so please forgive me if I trip up. Most of my experience has been with Mekong Giants. I uploaded a couple photos to my gallery from 2013 and 2014, but for some reason I couldn't get the ones form '15, '16, and this summer to load. Either way, they topped out around the same height each year. It's just that the newer photos (that won't upload?) have way more banana trees in the picture. I started with 1 in 2012 and had ~40 this summer.

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