Spaceag07

Hi All -

It's been almost a year since we planted our backyard bananas in League City, TX (halfway between Houston and Galveston - zone 9A/9B), so it's time for an update. We have 7 banana trees of 3 types arranged around the pool. Our kid decided to name them after Despicable Me minions (BANANAS!), so we'll keep with the theme for now. 5 of the 7 came through the winter with no difficulty. 1 died back to the corm, but respawned in the spring. The last (we thought the healthiest going in) died completely.



Our two Dwarf Brazilians (Bob and Kevin) are getting really stout at the base. In the 8 months we've had of active growing season, they've gone from bare corms to 56" and 64" at the pseudostem. We've let 1 pup grow on each with 24" and 33" pseudostems, respectively.

Bob

Kevin


The two Blue Javas (Dave and Stuart) aren't as stout as the DBs, but have kept pace at 59" and 64" at the pseudostems. They also have 1 pup each with 45" and 37" psuedostems, respectively.

Dave

Stuart


The 3 Gran Nains (Jerry, Carl, and Tim) were a mixed bag. That wasn't unexpected since Gran Nain is the least cold hardy of our selections. The weakest of the 3 (Jerry) made it through the winter and really took off. It's now 54" at the pseudostem with a 28" pup. The middle plant (Carl) died back to the corm but respawned multiple pups in the spring. We culled those back to the strongest which is now 18" tall. The strongest heading into the winter (Tim) died completely. It was replaced with the second strongest pup from Carl.

Jerry

Carl

Tim


We'll keep feeding through November and see where they get before winter starts to set in. At some point Carl and Tim might get re-homed in favor of a Pitogo, Dwarf Orinoco, or Dwarf Namwah.

Happy growing!

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Currently growing: 3X Gran Nain, 2X Dwarf Brazilian, 2X Blue Java
Wanted: Pitogo, Dwarf Orinoco, Dwarf Namwah

Akula

Looking good! Great idea to get your child involved and naming them. My wife says I treat mine more like pets than plants so I can relate to naming them. I can recommend the namwa. As member Hydroid says, "Namwa make you look like a pro". Its true!

hdynad

Love it, they look great, I love the names for them too!

Happy growing,
Darla

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Currently growing, , DGM Highgate, Blue Java, Dwarf Red, Dwarf Brazilian , Ensete Glaucum, Pitogo, Hoa Moa, Raja Puri, Thai Black, VG Chaing Rai, Manzano, Praying Hands. Yunnan, Hawiaan Crown, Dwarf Red Plantain

cincinnana

Great area....
It will fill in nice..

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