Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

So my wife is going to buy me some bananas from a local nursery for Fathers' Day :woohoonaner:

I've already scouted the selection and there are 6 bananas that I don't have

1. Goldfinger
2. Williams
3. Red Iholene
4. Dwarf Red Jamaican
5. Dwarf Cavendish
6. AE AE

The first 5 are all $32 and the AE AE are $149 :eek:
I've kinda ruled out the AE AE (even though she said she'd buy it for me) due mostly to opportunity cost (could get the first 5 for that price)

I live in Ventura, CA (zone 9b/10a depending on where I look). I like the idea of tall bananas as I'm interested in covering up some hideous looking white cinder block retaining walls, but am open to the shorter ones if they're especially pretty and/or have especially tasty nanners... I'm leaning towards the Goldfinger, Dwarf Cavendish, Red Iholene, Dwarf Jamaican Red, and Williams in that order.

Any opinions based on personal experience?

Thanks!

Andy

Ps. I currently have an Ice Cream, Musella Lasiocarpa, Ensete Ventricosum (sp.?), and Rajapuri if that makes any difference based on variety :)

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

African Rhinohorn
Dwarf Brazilian
Dwarf Orinoco
Dwarf Namwa
Sweetheart

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Goldfinger is good.
Dwf Cav and Williams are in the same family, so essentially the same, if you are looking for variety
.
The reds will be cold sensitive, so, if you have much of any winter below 45F, they will probably struggle. They do have nice flavor, however.

If you can get Belle, Sweetheart, Namwah, or Misi Luki, take those. Praying Hands, Cardaba Fhia-18 and Brazilian would also be good choices.

I've had AeAe and it is the only full grown banana I've had that just up and croaked overnight. They look good in humid climates (FL), but much less so in drier climates (CA). Fruit is nice acc to my wife.

My 2 cents.

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Hello Andy,

You are 35 minutes from me. I'm in Santa Barbara. I grow all the plants you listed. The people that replied to your post are very knowledgeable people that live in southern CA. I agree with them on their suggestions. I have had good success with Dwarf Orinoco, Ice Cream, Brazilian both dwarf and tall, Dwarf Red, Mysore. I also have three AeAe and a new pup that are doing well. We don't get as cold as you in Ventura. Their are so many varieties that will do well where you live. For the money I would purchase the other plants instead of the AeAe. I prefer to buy two to three of each variety. This way I have a nice clump to start with and if I lose one it is not my only one. We can readily buy most varieties locally which is cool. Also check out Craigslist. I picked up some very nice plants both locally and in your area. I hope this helps!

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Awesome advice everyone!

I just checked Craigslist and someone is selling Dwarf Brazilian plants for $10 :)

I also like the idea of buying multiples for clumps. I have 5 Musa Basjoo agristarts growing in small pots atm...

I guess I was thinking Reds might do OK since I saw some pictures from one of the website members in LA with a whole lotta tall Red Jamaicans that looks amazing

Does anyone know a good website that shows historical temperatures by zip code? I seem to remember it getting down into the 30s here in the winter, but I never really paid that much attention before now

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Here's the last year:
History : Weather Underground

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

I am zone 9b

I had bad luck with my Williams, It died back twice when the temp dropped below 40 at night. I would avoid it, but it could just be my bad luck but when the plant gets 6'+ it gets a little hard to protect it from the cold.

Goldfinger does real well in my area, I would give Goldfinger a try I am sure you will have good luck with it.

Dwarf Cavendish is like a Williams but a little more hardy, I have seen them to well in my area also.

Red Iholene will be good to add some color and I have heard they taste pretty good. I would go with Red Iholene or Dwarf Red Jamaican just because of feedback I have heard about taste.

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

So... I made out like a bandit today...

Found a guy on Craigslist 5 minutes from my house selling Dwarf Brazilians... His yard was amazing with probably 10-12 huge clumps and maybe 10 hands in various stages of ripeness. Apparently he's been growing them for 15 years and some of them are 10-11 inches thick at the base I'd guess. He sold me three huge pups in pots, 2 for $15 and 1 for $20 :goteam:. The corms on these things were gigantic, one is the size of a volleyball :nanadrink:. I told him he should join he forum, apparently he's been told this by others... All in all a very cool trip to his backyard and my son loved touching the hands and flowers.

I also picked up a Goldfinger and Dwarf Cavendish from our local nursery. Then my In-Laws came over for Fish Tacos and they gave me a $100 gift certificate to the same nursery... Needless to say I'm in banana heaven. B

Best Fathers' Day ever!!!

I'll post pics tomorrow :)

Andy

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Haha! you lucky dog!!

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

So, aren't you glad I told you to check out Craigslist! I purchased three from him last year. His backyard is cool. I put them in my wifes E350 Mercedes. They were huge! The things we do for bananas. You did score. Post some pictures. Happy Fathers day!

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Hi there. First post here (just joined). I'm in Santa Barbara looking for Dwarf Brazilians. Could you PM me the contact info for your source? I checked craigslist and didn't find him.

I'm also wondering if anyone has had luck growing Ae Ae bananas outdoors in this area. I fear it is probably too cold in the winter...

Thanks,

John

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

PM Sent

Also, check Magilla's post a few posts down, he said he's had good luck with AE AEs.

They sure are beautiful, but I don't know I want to try them, as expensive as they are, until I'm a banana expert (at least as much as I have the potential to be) ;)


Magilla-

It does seem somewhat serendipitous that you gave me the Craigslist tip :) Dean says he sells these every summer as it looks like he's reached maximum capacity :)

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Welcome John! I have had luck with many varieties here in Santa Barbara. I have 45 varieties of bananas and grow heliconias, gingers, palms, cycads, guava, papaya, pineapple, alocaias, colocasias and many other tropical plants. Some are in the ground and many are potted waiting to go into the ground. I have a gopher problem so every plant must be wrapped in wire. AeAe will live here! I have three six plus footer and one small pup. They live outside. I have friends that live here in SB and get much colder than me. Theirs are outside as well.



I like the tropical look in my backyard.


He is a nice guy. I have the three I purchased from him in pots on my hill ready to go into the ground. Good luck with your plants.

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Hi Andrew,

Your yard looks beautiful! And nice AeAes! Were you able to find them at a local nursery?

Thanks,

John

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Yeah I'm similarly cautious about such an expensive plant! Thanks for the PM - I've given Dean a call and will be heading out to Ventura today. Hopefully I'll return with some Dwarf Brazilians!

Cheers,

John

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

The 3 Dwarf Brazilians and Dwarf Cavendish:

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Saweet! D.braziliand are so robust, I love the way they look.

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Great looking plants. Congrats!:woohoonaner:

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Congrats! Keep looking for the Iholene - they're really good cooking bananas.

Re: Looking for Opinions on Banana Choices
 

Thank you,

I purchased two of mine in southern California and one from Hilo. You could check out ebay or other forum members. You are more than welcome to come by and check out my plants anytime.

I agree! I have a local source for Red Iholena and numerous other bananas. You can always send me a pm. We also have the Santa Barbara Horticultural annual sale in September. You can find bananas and other cool plants there. I am planning on being a vendor this year.