Scuba_Dave

I've been reading on this site since finding it
I was considering getting some seeds to start this year
That way they would not be too big this year
But I ran across a post that stated most seeds available are not edible varieties?

True? False?

I'm looking for edible types, prefer hardy, that won't grow too big
But I guess too big may not work
Seems some of the best Northern variety grow tall

Do people on here sell seeds? Trade for perennials?
I would consider smaller ornamental types
Do I post a Wanted ad?
Anyone recommend sites/EBay people to buy from?

I have a pool area so I think it would be nice to give it that tropical look for late Spring - Fall

Thanks

Gabe15

Simple answer...all edible bananas varieties must be started off from a plant. You cannot grow banana plants from seed which will produce edible bananas. Generally, any banana plant you grow from seed will have seeds in the fruit and not be considered edible.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

Scuba_Dave

OK, Thanks!!

I have seen the "pods" on the end of a bunch & was not sure if that was a seed pod

Bob

Hey Dave, I figured after a short time on the site you'd be getting a feel for what you want. I blindly dove in and started collecting cold hardy, ornamental and potentially edible varieties. I say potential because it's so tough for us northern gardeners to actually produce a flower AND be able to harvest the fruit which takes 4 months or so to develop and ripen.
If I was to start over with the goal of edible fruit in our climate I'd immediately go with. Dwarf Nam Wah, Veinte Cohol( get in line waiting for one to be available from going bananas) any of the Dwarf Orinoco sports ie, California gold and Ca. cold hardy. Since I haven't had a fruit I am no expert but I've been growing and reading about these cultivars for a while and as of now believe them to be the best choices for attempting northern fruit production.

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Scuba_Dave

Thanks for the input
I'm very tempted to start this year
But I may have to wait until next year
I'm working on the addition & I just have so many projects to finish up
So I think I will probably continue reading & researching & plan for next year
I'd hate to get something this year & then have it die in the winter

Due to a stream on the property all construction permit/plans had to be reviewed & approved by Conservation committee - a 6 month proccess as it turned out. So all the work was approved & I was told I only had 2 years to START anything I wanted to do. Anything NOT started we then had to go back thru the approval process. We were warned that the Govt was possibly going to restrict building with "x" feet of wetlands/waterways etc. So I started everything in the 1st 2 years. Then found out I had 3 years - not that it mattered

But the end result is that I have a TON of work to finish up

Tog Tan

Hi Dave, I hope this pix will give you an idea what the fruit of a species 'naner looks like;


It's chock full of sds! Don't let any of the pulp there fool you cos behind it is all sds. The thin strips of pulp's function is just to hold the sds together. This is the fruit of the Musa acuminata subsp malaccensis and being only 4 inches long, it can hold approx 108 sds. The little bit of pulp there taste very sweet and aromatic. It is from this species that the AA cultivars are derived.

Being from the tropics, I am no expert in cold growing types. If you want decorative plants with nice flowers, you should choose the smaller species such as Musa dasycarpa syn velutina, Musa ornata (3 color forms to choose from) and Musella lasiocarpa. They can be grown in pots and can be easily moved in for winter. They will look great at your pool as live decor.

There are many sources for sd purchase. You can try a member here, musa777 as he has an online store and his sds are always freshly harvested. All the best and do keep us posted.

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

Scuba_Dave

A picture is worth a thousand words
I may eventually grown some "for looks"
I need to insulate the foundation fo my greenhouse this fall
And get the floor poured in the garage
Then I will have storage areas

Today is windy & cloudy
So I am splitting the remaining logs from a tree thas taken down 4 years ago. The tree was 52" STRAIGHT across the trunk, & hollow about 15' up. So this is the last to split up. Until the 60'+ Oak tree that is dead out front is taken down