Valenciaguy

I have been reading up on these since joining the forum and they are really interesting, are they ediable? Also what places sell it? and how do you care for it.

JoeS475

I think you'll find detailed answers to your questions already posted in various Ae Ae threads on this forum. Nothing new I can add, but briefly: Yes they are edible, you are most likely to find one on ebay or trading with members of this forum, but it will cost you at least $250 (I think), and it is one of the more difficult bananas to care for.

~Joe

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STEELVIPER

Getting an Ae Ae is like pulling teeth. And its going to cost you some $$$. They do not like cool. So cold is out of the question.

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Steve L

Here's my experience with Ae Ae. I've been growing this banana for 4 years but my largest mat which would have bloomed this past sumer was destroyed by Hurricane Rita.

I wrap mine in blankets when the temps are predicted to drop below 28. I do have mine growing in an elevated bed on a southern exposure under an oak tree canopy which provides further protection from frost. Mine have survived lows of 24. So far this month, we have had one night of 26, one of 25 and one of 24. I have leaf damage but the mother and three pups are still fine, so far. They continue growing slowly in the winter during the warm spells in between the cold fronts.

Steve

Lilith

I got my AE AE from Steve L. It was a pup about 2 ft tall when he gave it to me. I planted it into the ground in the greenhouse where it never drops below 55F. It grew in a span os 2 years or less to a plant with 6-7 ft long leaves that was hitting about the 14-16 ft level of a 20 ft ceiling. I removed it from the greenhouse very late this summer and got it well established outside. It rooted almost right away and started active growth. We haven't had any 20's yet but have had nights ranging from 31-39. There have been no problems. I will wrap the trunk like Steve does if we get a hard freeze. I fully expect mine to do well outdoors here in zone 8B

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11/2008 Outer Banks Marathon 26.2, Kitty Hawk NC--3:50
2/2009 5 Points of Life Marathon, 26.2, Gainesville FL--4:00
4/2009 Boston Marathon, 26.2-- 4:38
10/2009 Marine Corps Marathon, DC, 26.2--457
1/2010 Houston Marathon, 26.2--3:55:09
2/2010 5 Points of Life Marathon, Gainesville--415
Halloween Day 2010 Marine Corps Marathon, DC--
2/2011--Austin TX Marathon--

Lilith

Maybe you can sell your soul to the devil for one, seems to be one of the only ways to get one nowadays. I am not certain why there are none on the market this year. Maybe everyone's pups came up green?

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11/2008 Outer Banks Marathon 26.2, Kitty Hawk NC--3:50
2/2009 5 Points of Life Marathon, 26.2, Gainesville FL--4:00
4/2009 Boston Marathon, 26.2-- 4:38
10/2009 Marine Corps Marathon, DC, 26.2--457
1/2010 Houston Marathon, 26.2--3:55:09
2/2010 5 Points of Life Marathon, Gainesville--415
Halloween Day 2010 Marine Corps Marathon, DC--
2/2011--Austin TX Marathon--

Steve L

The two most reliable sources over the last few years have been Natural Selections Exotics and Royal Palm Enterprises. As Lilith mentioned, neither offered any for sale this year. NSE is in south Florida and I am sure that the hurricanes had something to do with their short supply. RPE is in Hawaii and I don't know why Sean didn't have any this year. Stokes Tropicals here in Louisiana has some but they don't advertise. They did place several on ebay this past summer and I think the lowest one sold for was $255; several sold for over $300. They will probably sell you one if you call them. I got mine from Stokes as did Lilith. You should have no problem growing one in your locale.

Steve

Mark Hall

They are just as rare this side of the pond too!!!!!!.

I have had mine for about three years and I got it from Koba-Koba and I waited 3 years for it as thet were very s l o w to grow.

I also have Variegated Basjoo and a dwarf namwah pearl and I will be swapping an ae ae for a Variegated Rajapuri in the new year as I am always on the lookout for any variegated nanas.

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Time Flies like an Arrow.....Fruit flies like a Banana.