Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Two and half weeks ago, I called Going Bananas, and requested them to ship the three Veinte Cohols that they were holding for me since September, last year. At the same time, I inquired on the availability of Sweetheart, Niño, and others. The person I spoke with checked their records and said that, indeed, they are holding three Veinte Cohols for me since September. A couple of days later, I went to my Credit Union and got a cashier's check for an order of 2 Niños and a Rose from GB, and mailed the check that same day.

Yesterday, I received an email that they'd shipped the 2 Niños and Rose last Monday, 5/11, and will be shipping the three Veinte Cohols next Monday, 5/18. If they can send the recent order in a few days, I wondered why they couldn't have been all shipped together because I would have thought that VCs could have already been prepared while they're waiting for my check to arrive for the new order. Though after eight months, the VC could have grown so big that they may have needed an EZ-Digger to dig it out.

The Rose (the tallest one, in the middle) and 2 Niños arrived today and here is how they looked:
This is right out of the box, not sunny, but no rain -


This was taken several hours later, as I had to pick up my grandson from school, then pick up my son and take him to work. By this time it was raining and the temperature must have dropped at least 10°F -


As a gage, I placed the Fiskars trowel behind the Rose to give a size reference. Overall length (bottom of corm to based of uppermost leaf petiole) of the Rose is 11.5", the leafless Niño is 10.5", and leafed Niño is 8.5". Distance from the bottom of corm to soil line is about 4.5". I hope that the VCs are bigger than these. After all, they should have grown at least a little bit during the last 8 months.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Is the Niño the small little banana in the markets here in the states? I have never purchased from them before but your plants look nice. Good luck with them and have fun planting!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Thanks Andrew,
The Niño could be the "Baby" bananas that can sometimes appear in popular supermarkets, though usually they are readily available in Asian supermarkets. I do not know for sure, because I have not personally grown the Niño before, much less gotten fruit from one.

According to some banana literature, the Veinte Cohol is a close relative of the Mini Banana that Chiquita markets. As reported in a newspaper in AZ, the Chiquita Mini Banana is of the Pisang Mas variety. Pisang Mas is called Sucrier in most places, and is called "Amas" in the Philippines. See attached file.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Good luck with your plants, Chong. Keep us updated with pictures!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Chong, I really like how you post pictures of what you get from mail order.

I thought that the baby bananas from the Asian supermarkets were Manzanos for some reason, not that I ever tried Manzano before.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Come on #49!!!!!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

I'm #37, I believe and I'm still a ways out, so you're probably got quite a wait, Bob. Katie told me a while back that they were shipping some corms and that others would receive tissue culture plants, but that the lab was having trouble with this line. I wouldn't be surprised if its the end of the year before I get a plant, or maybe next year. I'm in no hurry, I guess, but it would be nice if things were more predictable. I'm sure they're doing the best they can.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Thanks Chong,

The pictures and information is greatly appreciated. I'll let Don know you like your new aquisitions. Best wishes! :2239:

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Thanks Harvey, I have more than I can really handle now. This was by design so I'm in no rush. Still I'm always thinking ...maybe this variety will be the one.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

'Nino'/'Pisang Mas' is indeed a type of Sucrier, meaning it is in the Sucrier subgroup. This is the "Baby Banana" seen in the markets. There are lots of different types of Sucrier, most of the differences are horticultural, the fruit generally all look and taste very very similar. Also, many plants that are considered to be the same variety may differ slightly from region to region.

'Viente Cohol' is not necessarily closely related to Sucrier, that table just shows that they both have an AA genome, however the AA group is polyphyletic and that table does not designate the subgroups which are monophyletic.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

...Gabe lost me at "Nino/Pisang Mas"

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Okay, here's the good news part, so I got my three plants today as promised. But, boy! are they SMALL! That's with a capital "S"! So much for an alleged 8-month old pup. These are even smaller than the Niños I got from them last week. As I said earlier, I wondered if they actually tagged and saved/reserved the 3 plants that were slated for me back in September? Or, did those go to others, then I got put back on the list? I am afraid that I got the answer that I feared today.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

I was surprised when you said that they had agreed to hold your plants until next spring. In my online chestnut business I sometimes have customers ask me to hold product for them until later in the year but I don't get compensated for that service at all (I lose money, actually, due to shrinkage), so I have discouraged it and am going to establish some strict time limits this year since I easily sell all that I can produce anyways.

I know you're disappointed but I'd prefer to be in your position than mine. The ol' bird in the hand thing.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Okay - Show and Tell Time!

Here are what arrived today, after 8 months of waiting (from the time they first offered to send them to me, 09-28-2008, reminder - I ordered in mid-February2008 and I was #13):


Can anyone imagine how big they were back then?

On the other hand, compare with Benny's:


And then with Austin's:


I can see that this is going to be one long, anxious summer for me.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Skip the anxiety, Chong, and ship them to me!!! :D

They don't look so bad to me, they are sword sucker pups and not little TC plants like some have received (and like I'll probably get).

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

No, not too bad. But look how much bigger what the other two got, can you imagine how small these were back in September, if these were indeed the ones they saved for me? Had I accepted them back then, I don't think that they would have survived here.

Remember this? Read my third paragraph statement. http://www.bananas.org/f2/veinte-coh...html#post53151

And this? (I just replied to Joe's old post?) http://www.bananas.org/f2/veinte-coh...html#post76717

Note: PM sent.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Still, those corms are pretty fat and there are lots of roots. I predict at least one of those is going to get big pretty fast!

PM replied! :D

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

You sly dog, you!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

I am with Harvey Chong.
Remember they are in business. Their time is money. Just because they promise you to hold your plant for 8 months you expect to take care of it water and fertilize it for no compensation for their time. I am sure they replace " once was yours" with a new one that is available when you ask "it's time!" to send mine to me.
Have an understanding with their part. Put your self in their shoes.
Remember, every day, there are 'hundreds' of orders they are taking care of.
If I were they, I would not promise anyone that I would be taking care of their plants for free. And for 8 months? When I am paying uncle Sam taxes for my license, income taxes, business license, city license, etc.... for a mere $20 for a plant for 8 months?
Have a heart Chong!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

What if I asked for my plants in December, and they did not have any because they gave my plants away? What would they say then? Threaten me with "We can't guarantee live delivery because of weather?" You speak of compensation, you forget - I didn't ask them for it. They offered it to me - and in no uncertain terms, and it was up to me to tell them when I want them. I can post their email here, if you want. Compensation was never an issue outside of the amount they said I needed to send them, which I sent them the following day. Most businesses will cash your check when they're ready to ship or have shipped them. Is that not compensation? The fact that they cashed my check without delivering the goods. When you go to a store that has an item on sale, and they offer to hold the item for you on a lay-away plan and you accept, do they have the option to sell that item to another customer who wants it, and just replace it when you ask for it? What if there's a waiting list for that item, and new stock is not forthcoming until months after the term of the plan? Wouldn't it be better if the store asked the customer who is on the lay-way plan, whether it OK to give it to another customer with an assurance that a replacement for the first customer would be available no later that the term of the contract? At least give him the benefit of the right to first refusal. Or better yet, refuse the second customer!

Benny, you have asked a question that I have asked myself. Inspite if my humble beginnings, integrity is something I will not compromise. This is why, despite my humble stature, my millionaire classmates at De La Salle College considered me a leader, and treated me with utmost respect, to the point that they will entrust their cars with me for a couple of days, and sometimes as much as a couple of weeks. We had a 10-year old car then, but my classmates cars were no older than 3 years. And they entrusted them with me. This was a matter of trust. And I still live by it.

Yes, if I were they, I, too, would not have promised what they did if that were not what I wanted to do. That is precisely my point! Because, if that were not my intention, I would be compromising my integrity. How is that any different from what many are alleging about Ty Ty Nursery?

You speak of license, taxes and expenses, as if the three plants that I ordered were going to have a tremendous impact on their profitability. We're not even talking about a couple of Yugos here, you know. Sure, it's only $20! But why make a promise with ulterior motives, when it's so much easier to tell the truth by saying that if you'd rather wait until the spring, we can guarantee you your plants within a reasonable time. I deal with clients almost everyday of my life, and control projects costing from several hundred dollars to millions of dollars, and I would feel stupid if I would mislead a client just because his project only cost a couple of hundred dollars.

I am glad that you mentioned the price of $20 because at the time that I ordered, that was the price that was on their website. When I asked in August how someone who ordered in April would have their order filled ahead of me, when I ordered just a couple of weeks after you did, they initially denied that 1) the guy ordered in April, 2) I ordered in February, and 3) I did not send them enough money. I asked them to verify when they cashed my check, and they confirmed that it was, indeed, in February that I ordered.

Then I sent them a copy of the post made by one of our members here, indicating that he just received his order of 2 VCs, but that was because he'd ordered them "way back in April", they replied that they don't understand how that could have happened.

Having reached this point, the next best thing for me was to ask, "Now what?" That's when they told me that first of all there's a question of inadequate funds because their prices have gone up, and that I had based my order on an old price list, that the VC price had gone up to $25 SINCE JANUARY! You just now confirmed that the price at the time you ordered was in fact $20, just as it was when I ordered. And because, according to them, at the same time on January 1st, they removed VC from the Special Sale list, I needed to pay an additional $25. While I immediately agreed to pay them the amount, I asked them why they never told me this until now (in August).

When they did not respond to the question, I assured them that when I ordered my plants, their price list reflected what I paid at the time. Because, otherwise, how would I know what to pay? In addition, I told them that when I discovered months later after I ordered, I saw that they had raised their prices, I considered myself lucky for having ordered at a time before the demand had not been too great.

A couple of weeks later, lo and behold, I get this notice that they just sent the plant for customer #8, and that since I was #13, mine should be coming up pretty. Another week later, that's when they told me that they could send my plants, but that if I preferred to wait until the Spring, they would TAG AND HOLD THOSE 3 PLANTS WITH MY NAME. With that scenario, what was I to expect? I gave them my trust, complied with their demands, and they took me a fool.

I'm being asked to make allowances beyond what I've already made, which I feel any normal person would make. Is it wrong for me to relate my unpleasant experience, when I'm reading a lot of people criticizing and making fun of some companies that they've only heard of or read about? Then, is it also wrong for me to relate my pleasant experiences with some of those companies, just because people heard otherwise?

Finally, is belief more credible than experience? I'm not one to answer my own questions, so I'll leave it at that.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

I'd heard 'GB' had an entire TC batch die off earlier this yr. I know I haven't heard where I sand and I went on the list a yr ago last week!
Cheers,
Pat

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Thanks Chong for your detailed explanation. Now I understand your frustration.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Thank you, Benny. Today, I just received confirmation from Going Bananas that, in fact, they never intended to hold the very same corms for me "due to the (additional) weight and increased shipping charges that would have to be passed on." I told them that in the past when they asked for additional funds, they at least gave me an opportunity to decline or continue the transaction. But since they instead chose to continue to mislead me, they must think that I was easy and did not care if I found out. So you were correct in your explanation. But by playing word games with me, they were able to bypass me a second time and satisfy the next three customers in line. It's a win-win situation (for them).

Thank you for your comments, Benny. Because it's not easy to keep your cool, if you're being played for a fool. Hearing from people that they understand my frustrations, gives me some comfort.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Yesterday I just received a shipment of banana corms and pups from a member. And after my unpleasant experience with my VC order, someone showing great kindness just transcends any sour taste that I may have in my mouth. My utmost thanks to you kind Sir. To quote an oft quoted line, "He made my day". Just take a look at the sizes of these corms and pups! W-O-W!!!


First 3 from Left - Dwarf Brazilians; the 2 on the Right - Musa Ornata
That first D. Brazilian corm on the left is almost 9" in diameter!


From Left: Pisang Jari Buaya; Golden Aromatic; 2-Rose; and Musa Ornata 'Bronze'. Compliments of the same member. That M. Ornata 'Bronze' on the far right is twice the size of the M. Rose I got from Going Bananas.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Nice! We have the best members, don't we?

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

looks like the ones i just recieved from the same member thanks again for the biggest corms i ever received

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

If...they ever get to my number (As I recall it was like #29 back in late June 2008) this season, I would be surprised. I might be in China before it comes. Sheesh!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Don't sweat it Scot. Did you ever see the episopde of "Married with children" where Al kept trading back his reservation space for the final day of Johnny B. Goods' restaurant? I'll trade your#29 for my #48 and you're getting the best of the bargain! Don't bother to thank me buddy, you can owe me one!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Guys, if only I could worry about the numbers as you do, but I'm in Europe, that puts me on the #1 029 324, meaning, that hopefully, I might get these one day to fruit, before I die of old age. :D

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Jack, you work on the TC of the Hill banana and get some over here and we can probably get a VC to you! I think something like this should work out in a year or two.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

I'm working as fast as I can, but those Indian bananas are quite lazy, they make large root systems and no movement above the ground level. :D
At least there might be many pups in the future out of these maxicorms.
Pahari Kela might not be the only one that could interest you in say one or two years. ;) But sshhht, let it be a surprise.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Just updating you all with my lone VC:

Following photo was taken two weeks ago, still in my greenhouse:


Compare the above with winsorw's VC, received more than a month later than I did mine:


winsorw lives 10-12 miles south of me.

I wonder if I should give my last one away, too. I don't think VCs like me.

How is yours doing, Harvey?

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Don't take it personal, Chong. VC's don't like me either! I'm VC-less now and will probably remain so until I move to FL (which ain't happening! ;))!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Somehow I missed this last part. Big props to whomever sent these to Chong! Very cool!!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Mitchel, Chong bought three and loaned me the largest one (I'll repay him with pups) and he sent another to another Calif member as well. The thought was we have warmer weather and can produce pups faster and serve as insurance.

Chong, the one I got from you is quite a bit larger than the one you've shown above but still not very big, but it did go through two shipments also. The one I received a month or so after yours directly from Going Bananas is much larger, but not as large as winsorw's, I think (can't tell the scale in that photo). The other one I got later on from Going Bananas (I bought one Scot had on order) is somewhere in-between. The majority of our summer days and nights have been cooler than normal and I think that's lead to slower growth of most of my bananas this year. June was especially cooler than normal, not getting above the 80s until the end of June.

Chestnuts are dropping early this year and I have no time for photos....typing between bites of dinner right now!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Oh oh, my wife asked that I order some Marroni's. Are we too late?

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

No, the marroni mature later, probably 2-3 weeks out (usually don't take orders until after 10/1 on those). I'd like to say I'll make sure I reserve some for you but things get so crazy I often to keep enough for myself. This year is especially going to be crazy as I have a huge increase to my mailing list (thanks to the LA Times article and some help from Jarred). Production of marroni are at my place and I checked those out pretty well while mowing this evening. I got my load ready to haul my tractor down to my rental orchard where I'll mow tomorrow. Based on the early drop of nuts I saw of some early variety at my place I'm scared what I'll find tomorrow.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Ok I'll mark it on my calendar. So now I'm curious, why are you mowing instead of spraying herbicide?

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

I don't use chemicals when I don't have to. I'd mow all the weed if I could, but I'd chop up my drip hose. I only spray the tree rows with herbicide (Roundup, also Goal early in the year to control stubborn broadleaf weeds like malva). As the trees get larger and shade out the weeds, I may be able to avoid them altogether. I do use a weedeater also but seven acres is a lot to keep under control.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Hi Harvey,
VC in the picture Chong posted is 43" tall (from ground to the leaf tip).

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Thanks, I think my largest potted one is about the same size or maybe a little smaller. Congrats!

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Here's my Viente Cohol. It has its ups and downs but I think she's happy now on its new home. I think I am going to let it grow here. My Cherimoya and guava tree will be on the way though but I'll resolve this issue after the winter. Or should I let them fight for space and sunshine? I've seen it happened in natural environment even though each plant did not get its full growth potential but still they fruit and mature. I know one will be more dominant than the others but what can I say. Let it be? I have no more room for any other plant in my garden except on large pots. VC and guava and cherimoya did not like living in pots. They almost died there had I not intervene.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Looks like a happy plant!! :) ~Cheryl

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Thanks.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

I'd like to taste your marroni if you still have some left to sell. Please put me on your list..

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

Benny, I haven't even started harvesting them yet and won't take orders for the marroni for about another 4 weeks. Just go to my web site (chestnuts.us) and enter your e-mail address. I could do it myself, but I'm not sure I know for sure which e-mail address you're using right now.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

This is my VC as of about a month ago. It was kept in a pot over the winter inside the house. What do you folks suggest I do with it now....should I leave it where it is or try to dig it up and pot it again. Still no pups.

Re: Just in Case Anyone is Wondering what happened to my Veinte Cohols . . .
 

I think you will need to dig it up and repot it. I'm in 9b and would dig mine as well.

If you don't mind experimenting, soak some alfalfa meal or pellets in a bucket of water for one week until it is real stinky and then water your VC with the water. Maybe you'll get some pups shortly afterwards. I need to experiment more, but that seems to be what has happened when I've done it but I need to do some comparisons with controls, etc.