Best FHIA Cultivar?

andy17 · 07-04-2013, 04:45 PM

Hey guys,

Does any one have any recommendations for FHIA cultivars? I am currently growing the Goldfinger FHIA-01, which aside from the leaf stripes, I really like. I'm interested in the FHIA-02, FHIA-17, and the SH-3640, but I've heard these are really similar. Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks!

robguz24 · 07-04-2013, 06:38 PM

I've only tried SH-3640, and would put it in my top 5 bananas for eating out of hand.

andy17 · 07-04-2013, 10:10 PM

Thanks robguz24! How does the SH-3640 taste and compare to the supermarket cavendish?

robguz24 · 07-04-2013, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy17

Thanks robguz24! How does the SH-3640 taste and compare to the supermarket cavendish?

I only had a few 9 months ago and didn't take notes. I remember it kind of like a big dwarf brazilian with more of a cavendish texture, but still altogether different than both. I remember thinking it was one I could eat every day.

andy17 · 07-04-2013, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robguz24

I only had a few 9 months ago and didn't take notes. I remember it kind of like a big dwarf brazilian with more of a cavendish texture, but still altogether different than both. I remember thinking it was one I could eat every day.

Sounds like a good variety! Thanks robguz24

Nicolas Naranja · 07-05-2013, 08:28 AM

FHIA-17 does not tolerate cold conditions very well. It does however produce fairly large bunches of long fruit. The fruit taste a lot like cavendish, but the texture is softer.

FHIA-1 is a good variety. It produces large bunches of medium sized fruit that have a slightly tart taste to them.

FHIA-18 doesn't perform as well as FHIA-1 does agronomically, but it does produce excellent tasting fruit, that in my opinion are better than FHIA-1.

bananimal · 07-05-2013, 10:35 AM

Just finishing up the SH 3640 bunch. What a good tasting banana! Maintains good texture thru ripe stage. Will never replace this mat. It's that good. Sprouts very wide heavy suckers when only 8 inches tall.

andy17 · 07-05-2013, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bananimal

Just finishing up the SH 3640 bunch. What a good tasting banana! Maintains good texture thru ripe stage. Will never replace this mat. It's that good. Sprouts very wide heavy suckers when only 8 inches tall.

Thanks bananimal! It seems like the SH 3640 is a winner. How does the taste compare to supermarket bananas? Also, what height did yours fruit?

venturabananas · 07-05-2013, 01:00 PM

I've only tried FHIA 1, 17, and 18 so far. Personally, I wouldn't bother with 17 because it is so similar to the Cavendish I can buy in the supermarket, and kind of nasty when overripe, but it is super productive. FHIA-01 and 18 are both very tasty and sturdy plants.

Thinking about the parentage of the varieties may help you decide. FHIA-01, 18, and SH-3640 all have Dwarf Brazilian as the female parent and so have some of the tartness of that variety. FHIA-02 and 17 are sweet varieties without any tartness, because their parents don't (Williams and Gros Michel -- Highgate -- as female parents respectively). Then there are some FHIA varieties that were derived largely from and intended to be cooking bananas (e.g., FHIA-03 and 25). I think some people like FHIA-03 as a dessert banana, and the plant is tough as nails from what I understand, but I can't comment on its flavor.

sunfish · 07-05-2013, 02:38 PM

Whichever one you like the best is the one you should get

momoese · 07-05-2013, 02:57 PM

I'm growing 18. Great tasting fruit, big fat p-stems. I have no experience with the others.

andy17 · 07-05-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by venturabananas

I've only tried FHIA 1, 17, and 18 so far. Personally, I wouldn't bother with 17 because it is so similar to the Cavendish I can buy in the supermarket, and kind of nasty when overripe, but it is super productive. FHIA-01 and 18 are both very tasty and sturdy plants.

Thinking about the parentage of the varieties may help you decide. FHIA-01, 18, and SH-3640 all have Dwarf Brazilian as the female parent and so have some of the tartness of that variety. FHIA-02 and 17 are sweet varieties without any tartness, because their parents don't (Williams and Gros Michel -- Highgate -- as female parents respectively). Then there are some FHIA varieties that were derived largely from and intended to be cooking bananas (e.g., FHIA-03 and 25). I think some people like FHIA-03 as a dessert banana, and the plant is tough as nails from what I understand, but I can't comment on its flavor.

This is really helpful; thanks! After reading your post, I think I'm between the FHIA-02 and the SH-3640. I've read great things about the Sh-3640, but my only concern is if its too similar to the Goldfinger. Do you know if the SH-3640 and Goldfinger share any other genetic stock in common other than the Dwarf Brazilian? There was a FHIA publication I saw somewhere that said both the Goldfinger and the SH-3640 are AAAB hybrids, but gave no other info on SH-3640 genetics. The most interesting thing that intrigued me about the FHIA-17 like you said is that one of it's parents is Gros Michel, but I've been told it would be better to grow a dwarf Gros Michel instead of the FHIA-17 because the original variety's flavor is so much better. Does anyone have any experiences with FHIA-02? Thanks again for all of the help everyone!

andy17 · 07-05-2013, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Whichever one you like the best is the one you should get

That's good advice! Admittedly, I've only had a few varieties: supermarket cavendish, and another variety several years ago, which I think was Manzano (I thought the taste was weird for a banana, but I liked it). I'm growing the Goldfinger right now, which is a really nice plant, but I've not had a chance to try the fruit. I like collecting different varieties (it's kind of addictive haha), and with just a few tasting experiences, talking with other people who have grown and tried other kinds is super helpful. Honestly, it's hard to pick just one!

Abnshrek · 07-05-2013, 03:51 PM

For growing in your zone I'd stay away from FHIA-02 its the slowest grower I have in the bunch.. :^)

robguz24 · 07-05-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy17

I like collecting different varieties (it's kind of addictive haha)

Ya don't say? Lol!

Nicolas Naranja · 07-05-2013, 03:59 PM

The only thing I will comment on about FHIA-17 vs Cavendish is that Cavendish can be difficult to get to ripen to a nice yellow color, whereas FHIA-17 does ripen to yellow nicely.

Also, I don't have trouble with cigar-end rot or crown rot on FHIA-17.

andy17 · 07-05-2013, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

For growing in your zone I'd stay away from FHIA-02 its the slowest grower I have in the bunch.. :^)

Thanks Abnshrek, that's really helpful. Have you had any successes with fruiting in zone 8b? I'm in the Deep South as well, and the biggest problem I've had is finding varieties that tolerate varied temperatures (looking at you SDC) and stay a manageable size to bring in for winter.

andy17 · 07-05-2013, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicolas Naranja

The only thing I will comment on about FHIA-17 vs Cavendish is that Cavendish can be difficult to get to ripen to a nice yellow color, whereas FHIA-17 does ripen to yellow nicely.

Also, I don't have trouble with cigar-end rot or crown rot on FHIA-17.

Thanks Nicolas Naranja It seems like I remember seeing one of your posts about a FHIA-17 harvest. Did they turn out good?

andy17 · 07-05-2013, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robguz24

Ya don't say? Lol!

haha I'm glad to know I'm not the only one!

robguz24 · 07-05-2013, 10:12 PM

Just wait, spend another year or so on here a lot and you'll be thinking about buying more land so you can expand your banana collection.

07-04-2013, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
andy17 Location: Northern Alabama Zone: 8a Name: Andy Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 308 BananaBucks : 129,748 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 269 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 20 Times	Best FHIA Cultivar? Hey guys, Does any one have any recommendations for FHIA cultivars? I am currently growing the Goldfinger FHIA-01, which aside from the leaf stripes, I really like. I'm interested in the FHIA-02, FHIA-17, and the SH-3640, but I've heard these are really similar. Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks! __________________ "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." --Francis Bacon

07-04-2013, 06:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
robguz24 Rob Location: Kalapana, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 11 Name: Rob Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,506 BananaBucks : 297,382 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,320 Times Was Thanked 4,961 Times in 1,080 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? I've only tried SH-3640, and would put it in my top 5 bananas for eating out of hand. __________________ My micro-farm Stay on my Big Island banana farm cottage

07-04-2013, 10:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
andy17 Location: Northern Alabama Zone: 8a Name: Andy Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 308 BananaBucks : 129,748 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 269 Times Was Thanked 172 Times in 116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 20 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? Thanks robguz24! How does the SH-3640 taste and compare to the supermarket cavendish? __________________ "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." --Francis Bacon

07-05-2013, 08:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja 's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 575,751 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,665 Times in 1,563 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? FHIA-17 does not tolerate cold conditions very well. It does however produce fairly large bunches of long fruit. The fruit taste a lot like cavendish, but the texture is softer. FHIA-1 is a good variety. It produces large bunches of medium sized fruit that have a slightly tart taste to them. FHIA-18 doesn't perform as well as FHIA-1 does agronomically, but it does produce excellent tasting fruit, that in my opinion are better than FHIA-1. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

07-05-2013, 10:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
bananimal Member bananimal's Photo Gallery Location: Port St Lucie, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: 10a Name: Dan Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,512 BananaBucks : 696,393 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,688 Times Was Thanked 4,979 Times in 1,509 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? Just finishing up the SH 3640 bunch. What a good tasting banana! Maintains good texture thru ripe stage. Will never replace this mat. It's that good. Sprouts very wide heavy suckers when only 8 inches tall.

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07-05-2013, 01:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
venturabananas venturabananas's Photo Gallery Location: Ventura, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Mark Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,845 BananaBucks : 276,883 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,752 Times Was Thanked 3,969 Times in 1,713 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 39 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? I've only tried FHIA 1, 17, and 18 so far. Personally, I wouldn't bother with 17 because it is so similar to the Cavendish I can buy in the supermarket, and kind of nasty when overripe, but it is super productive. FHIA-01 and 18 are both very tasty and sturdy plants. Thinking about the parentage of the varieties may help you decide. FHIA-01, 18, and SH-3640 all have Dwarf Brazilian as the female parent and so have some of the tartness of that variety. FHIA-02 and 17 are sweet varieties without any tartness, because their parents don't (Williams and Gros Michel -- Highgate -- as female parents respectively). Then there are some FHIA varieties that were derived largely from and intended to be cooking bananas (e.g., FHIA-03 and 25). I think some people like FHIA-03 as a dessert banana, and the plant is tough as nails from what I understand, but I can't comment on its flavor. __________________

07-05-2013, 02:38 PM	#10 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,473,665 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,593 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? Whichever one you like the best is the one you should get

07-05-2013, 02:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,593 BananaBucks : 14,586 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,759 Times Was Thanked 10,896 Times in 3,314 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 730 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? I'm growing 18. Great tasting fruit, big fat p-stems. I have no experience with the others.

07-05-2013, 03:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 317,301 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,443 Times in 5,238 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? For growing in your zone I'd stay away from FHIA-02 its the slowest grower I have in the bunch.. :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

07-05-2013, 03:59 PM	#16 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja 's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 575,751 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,665 Times in 1,563 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? The only thing I will comment on about FHIA-17 vs Cavendish is that Cavendish can be difficult to get to ripen to a nice yellow color, whereas FHIA-17 does ripen to yellow nicely. Also, I don't have trouble with cigar-end rot or crown rot on FHIA-17. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

07-05-2013, 10:12 PM	#20 (permalink)
robguz24 Rob Location: Kalapana, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 11 Name: Rob Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,506 BananaBucks : 297,382 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,320 Times Was Thanked 4,961 Times in 1,080 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 204 Times	Re: Best FHIA Cultivar? Just wait, spend another year or so on here a lot and you'll be thinking about buying more land so you can expand your banana collection. __________________ My micro-farm Stay on my Big Island banana farm cottage

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