Chicken Vindaloo

Hello All,
First time poster here. I live in Merritt Island, FL and have many tropical fruit trees (mainly mangoes), but NO bananas. The tropical fruit club I belong to is about to have its annual tree sale, so I intend to remedy that situation. Could you recommend the best tasting variety that is wind tolerant and relatively tolerant of typical Florida soil and drought? I would prefer a dwarf variety if possible. In other words, the perfect tree
I already like store bought bananas, so I'm probably halfway there on that basis. Thanks, I look forward to absorbing some banana knowledge.

Eric

Vette-kid

I'm new to banana plants myself. That said, there are dozens of types of banana plants, most with distinct flavor (so I understand from here). Ice cream banana's seen to do well here, my dad has several in titusville. They are very good when ripe, smooth sweet flavor. Cavendish is the typical store bought variety I believe. I think about any variety will do fine there, I think you are 9a or b? That's about all my banana knowledge right now, just thought I would help start the conversation. BTW, I'm in the panhandle and growing ice cream, dwarf Orinoco, double Mahoi and California gold. I don't think you have to worry about the child as much there, I'll probably lose some every few years to the cold.

Chicken Vindaloo

Hi Vette-kid,
Thanks for the reply. Of the choices I had at the sale, I went with a dwarf Nam wah bases on multiple good reviews of taste, hardiness, etc.
BTW, I'm a Vette guy too ('07 Z06).

edwmax

What is the salt content of your soil? I suspect you may be limited to a few 'salt tolerant' banana varieties. Or, container grow the bananas.

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Vette-kid

I had several recommend that as well, but I already filled the space with other plant. Good luck.

BTW, 02 Z06 and 78 coupe

cincinnana

Welcome to the Jungle......

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Chicken Vindaloo

I haven't had a soil analysis done, but I haven't had trouble growing other tropical fruit trees like mangoes, sapodillas, lychees, etc. or mullberries, blackberries and the like. I'm between two bodies of brackish water. The ocean is over a mile and a half away, so salt hasn't been a problem.
I just have to find a planting spot in my somewhat full yard.

HMelendez

Welcome to the banana gang!....

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Chicken Vindaloo

Off to an inauspicious start. While pickaxing through some coquina rock my prospective hole suddenly filled up with water! Yup, hit the irrigation system.

Vette-kid

Better than a gas line!

Chicken Vindaloo

Kat2

I'm a bit north of you in Titusville. I've harvested bunches from Dwarf Nanwahs and Raji Puri which I didn't leave in pots. (Potted musas aren't happy mostly due to my neglect but very much alive.) I know SDC grow in this area. Orinocos are a given in FL. I have other musas that have yet to flower (my fault) but haven't been concerned about the weather here. Since you can grow coconuts and I can't I'm betting that nearly all bananas available in the US will fruit for you. Be picky about taste/height and such now. Good luck.

Yeah, hit an irrigation line while installing landscape timbers at my friend's house; he repaired it pretty quickly so work commenced. When and if (if? No when!) I install at my place all line locations will be noted on my "lot grid spreadsheet" and will be located intuitively.

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Chicken Vindaloo

Hi Kat2
I had lived in Titusville for about a year too. Thanks for the info. I did a fair amount of research online before choosing the dwarf Nam Wah. I hope I like it because I'm pretty much planted out here. My wife doesn't want to block our view with more trees. Fortunately, she eats store bought bananas every day, so I was able to convince her that this is a good idea. We have other irrigation work that needs to be done, so I'll just have the guy fix this pipe along with that work. Should happen tomorrow, and I'll finally get this tree planted. Spreadsheet sounds like a great idea. Too late for me.