Market Flooded with Mekong Giant

floridagrower · 04-07-2012, 06:46 PM

It's like feast or famine in the musa world. Everybody and their brother seems to have these guys now. I was mildly interested in ordering one, but since I found it locally (and since I'm a sucker) I went ahead with another banana purchase. I can tell by the roots these are very aggressive growers. I am concerned it will have trouble in the full sun in Florida. In any case, here it is...

mbfirey · 04-07-2012, 07:48 PM

I'm tempted to buy one... but I usually prefer trades-
I've got lots of EE's and Cannas if anyone has a Mekong to trade...

amantedelenguaje · 04-07-2012, 08:22 PM

Are the fruits from this plant for human consumption? Are they cooking bananas like plantains? Is the flavor palatable? I am considering buying one, but I'm more of an edible gardener. If I cannot eat the fruit, I don't want to spend years caring for it.

caliboy1994 · 04-07-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amantedelenguaje

Are the fruits from this plant for human consumption? Are they cooking bananas like plantains? Is the flavor palatable? I am considering buying one, but I'm more of an edible gardener. If I cannot eat the fruit, I don't want to spend years caring for it.

It's an ornamental banana, so no.

RobG7aChattTN · 04-07-2012, 11:20 PM

Where did you get it and how much was it? I doubt I'll come across one up here in my neck of the woods, but maybe when I go down to Panama City Beach. I haven't even seen one that big for sale...anywhere! I'm jealous!

raggedyredhead · 04-07-2012, 11:30 PM

Hi, I read that Mekong can grow 40ft. Seller on ebay said this. Also said that it is a clumper and spreads a lot. I have been going crazy trying to find thai black and nobody
seems to have them. I have searched ebay & google with no luck. I had them grow here in jersey to at least 15 to 18 ft last summer. I got two very small ones from (oasis
the rip off) and there not doing much. If anyone knows where I could buy thai blk. Let
me know please.
Thanks raggedy

caliboy1994 · 04-08-2012, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedyredhead

Hi, I read that Mekong can grow 40ft. Seller on ebay said this. Also said that it is a clumper and spreads a lot. I have been going crazy trying to find thai black and nobody
seems to have them. I have searched ebay & google with no luck. I had them grow here in jersey to at least 15 to 18 ft last summer. I got two very small ones from (oasis
the rip off) and there not doing much. If anyone knows where I could buy thai blk. Let
me know please.
Thanks raggedy

Northern Tropics Greenhouse - Thai Black musa banana plant

Worm_Farmer · 04-08-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedyredhead

Hi, I read that Mekong can grow 40ft. Seller on ebay said this. Also said that it is a clumper and spreads a lot. I have been going crazy trying to find thai black and nobody
seems to have them. I have searched ebay & google with no luck. I had them grow here in jersey to at least 15 to 18 ft last summer. I got two very small ones from (oasis
the rip off) and there not doing much. If anyone knows where I could buy thai blk. Let
me know please.
Thanks raggedy

My local RARE Tropic nursery grows Thai Black. He told me "Dont even try to eat." I might be able to get you a pup from them.

Nicolas Naranja · 04-08-2012, 04:09 PM

I've seen a thai black with fruit on it, it's a tall plant, maybe about the same size as an agristarts Ice Cream.

raggedyredhead · 04-08-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliboy1994

Northern Tropics Greenhouse - Thai Black musa banana plant

Hi checked them already. Sold out. Florida hills also sold out. They were plentiful the past couple years. Don't know why nobody has them now.
Appreciate if anyone lets me know where to get them. I have become obsessed. Definitely not Oasis. I won't buy from again.
Thanks Raggedy

raggedyredhead · 04-08-2012, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobG7aChattTN

Where did you get it and how much was it? I doubt I'll come across one up here in my neck of the woods, but maybe when I go down to Panama City Beach. I haven't even seen one that big for sale...anywhere! I'm jealous!

I got them from florida hills Nursery. Nice big healthy plants. They got mad at me because I posted Kudos to Fla Hills,not knowing there were problems
with them on this site. I followed my nice post and said if there was a problem my post can be deleted. Fla hills was snooping around, saw post &
wrote me a nasty email saying they wouldn't sell to me anymore. They have
done this before. Just look for kudos to fla hills nursery & you'll see what I mean. They don't have them now anyway.
Thanks Raggedy

PS they were $6.99 & on Oasis $11.88 & very small

RobG7aChattTN · 04-09-2012, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedyredhead

I got them from florida hills Nursery. Nice big healthy plants. They got mad at me because I posted Kudos to Fla Hills,not knowing there were problems
with them on this site. I followed my nice post and said if there was a problem my post can be deleted. Fla hills was snooping around, saw post &
wrote me a nasty email saying they wouldn't sell to me anymore. They have
done this before. Just look for kudos to fla hills nursery & you'll see what I mean. They don't have them now anyway.
Thanks Raggedy

PS they were $6.99 & on Oasis $11.88 & very small

Well, I have to say, that's a nice price for such a nice big plant.

amantedelenguaje · 04-09-2012, 07:57 AM

Burgess plant and seed sells the Mekong Giant for $14.99. I've never ordered from them, but it might be worth a try.Banana, Giant Mekong - Musa 'Giant Mekong' PPAF at eBurgess.com

sunfish · 04-09-2012, 08:07 AM

The Giant Banana grows up to 6' tall in the northern zones, ?

H2O · 04-09-2012, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedyredhead

... If anyone knows where I could buy thai blk. Let
me know please...

Ebay sellers and this one , plant delights (it's "Musa xishuangbannaensis 'Mekong Giant'", right? if not, my mistake!)

I don't know who is the best, all ship to U.S only. [i'd like to find one in E.U]

jmoore · 04-09-2012, 11:13 AM

Amulree Exotics

This supplier is in the UK, I'm sure will sell to EU. I've used them before and they are generally quite good.

floridagrower · 04-09-2012, 11:49 AM

Currently, 3g Mekong Giant and Thai Black can be purchased here in Tallahassee for $24.99.

RobG7aChattTN · 04-09-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amantedelenguaje

Burgess plant and seed sells the Mekong Giant for $14.99. I've never ordered from them, but it might be worth a try.Banana, Giant Mekong - Musa 'Giant Mekong' PPAF at eBurgess.com

Burgess is a total rip-off mail order nursery. I ordered from them once and half the plants were dead and the "free replacement" plants were also dead. Of the plants that were still alive at least one (a fruiting pear) turned out years later to be a non-fuiting, flowering type. I still don't know if the apricot and almond tree are the correct plant but they did not appear to be grafted so were probably grown from seed and therefore not really what I ordered. Do not order from Burgess.

floridagrower · 03-01-2013, 12:01 AM

Here's the update:

It has been a very mild winter. All of my bananas continue to grow. I received cold damage early in the winter and again in February. Yet, nearly of the bananas did not slow down. The ones that slowed still grew well. The magical, wondrous Mekong did not come close to any of my basjoos, even ones purposely planted earlier in the season at comparable size for testing. Further it wasn't on par with the Darjeeling Giant either. It is indeed hardy but nowhere near the claims being made. It has grown reasonably well and has a unique look to it though, so I am still glad to have it. I know people have been dying to know.

Steve L · 03-01-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedyredhead

Hi checked them already. Sold out. Florida hills also sold out. They were plentiful the past couple years. Don't know why nobody has them now.
Appreciate if anyone lets me know where to get them. I have become obsessed. Definitely not Oasis. I won't buy from again.
Thanks Raggedy

My Thai Black has just started to flower. I don't want to take pups now. Check back with me in a month or two.

Steve

04-07-2012, 06:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
floridagrower floridagrower's Photo Gallery Location: Tallahassee, FL Zone: 9 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 121 BananaBucks : 27,177 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 34 Times Was Thanked 171 Times in 56 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Market Flooded with Mekong Giant It's like feast or famine in the musa world. Everybody and their brother seems to have these guys now. I was mildly interested in ordering one, but since I found it locally (and since I'm a sucker) I went ahead with another banana purchase. I can tell by the roots these are very aggressive growers. I am concerned it will have trouble in the full sun in Florida. In any case, here it is... __________________ Jeff North Florida

04-07-2012, 07:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
mbfirey mbfirey's Photo Gallery Location: Pageland SC- Zone7b/8a line Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Mike Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 340 BananaBucks : 25,950 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 259 Times in 125 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant I'm tempted to buy one... but I usually prefer trades- I've got lots of EE's and Cannas if anyone has a Mekong to trade... __________________ www.nstarleather.com North Star Leather Company Quality Leather Goods-Made in USA!

04-07-2012, 08:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
amantedelenguaje amantedelenguaje Zone: 7 Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 207 BananaBucks : 635 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 608 Times Was Thanked 320 Times in 117 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 374 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant Are the fruits from this plant for human consumption? Are they cooking bananas like plantains? Is the flavor palatable? I am considering buying one, but I'm more of an edible gardener. If I cannot eat the fruit, I don't want to spend years caring for it. __________________

04-07-2012, 11:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
RobG7aChattTN Junior Member RobG7aChattTN's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 333 BananaBucks : 7,610 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 22 Times Was Thanked 324 Times in 177 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant Where did you get it and how much was it? I doubt I'll come across one up here in my neck of the woods, but maybe when I go down to Panama City Beach. I haven't even seen one that big for sale...anywhere! I'm jealous!

04-07-2012, 11:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
raggedyredhead raggedyredhead's Photo Gallery Location: Woodbridge NJ Find me on the map! Zone: zone7 Name: raggedy Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 230 BananaBucks : 14,360 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 26 Times Was Thanked 111 Times in 62 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 12 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant Hi, I read that Mekong can grow 40ft. Seller on ebay said this. Also said that it is a clumper and spreads a lot. I have been going crazy trying to find thai black and nobody seems to have them. I have searched ebay & google with no luck. I had them grow here in jersey to at least 15 to 18 ft last summer. I got two very small ones from (oasis the rip off) and there not doing much. If anyone knows where I could buy thai blk. Let me know please. Thanks raggedy

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04-08-2012, 04:09 PM	#9 (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: 1,378 BananaBucks : 24,537 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 33 Times Was Thanked 2,213 Times in 828 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant I've seen a thai black with fruit on it, it's a tall plant, maybe about the same size as an agristarts Ice Cream. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

04-09-2012, 07:57 AM	#13 (permalink)
amantedelenguaje amantedelenguaje Zone: 7 Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 207 BananaBucks : 635 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 608 Times Was Thanked 320 Times in 117 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 374 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant Burgess plant and seed sells the Mekong Giant for $14.99. I've never ordered from them, but it might be worth a try.Banana, Giant Mekong - Musa 'Giant Mekong' PPAF at eBurgess.com __________________

04-09-2012, 08:07 AM	#14 (permalink)
sunfish sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15,269 BananaBucks : 2,245 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,928 Times Was Thanked 16,433 Times in 6,133 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,989 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant The Giant Banana grows up to 6' tall in the northern zones, ? __________________ Tony,Thanks

04-09-2012, 11:13 AM	#16 (permalink)
jmoore <div style="font-weight: bold;border: 2px solid Purple;"></div> jmoore 's Photo Gallery Location: Peterborough, UK Zone: 8a Name: James Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 597 BananaBucks : 7,173 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 145 Times Was Thanked 542 Times in 255 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 53 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant Amulree Exotics This supplier is in the UK, I'm sure will sell to EU. I've used them before and they are generally quite good.

04-09-2012, 11:49 AM	#17 (permalink)
floridagrower floridagrower's Photo Gallery Location: Tallahassee, FL Zone: 9 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 121 BananaBucks : 27,177 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 34 Times Was Thanked 171 Times in 56 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant Currently, 3g Mekong Giant and Thai Black can be purchased here in Tallahassee for $24.99. __________________ Jeff North Florida

03-01-2013, 12:01 AM	#19 (permalink)
floridagrower floridagrower's Photo Gallery Location: Tallahassee, FL Zone: 9 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 121 BananaBucks : 27,177 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 34 Times Was Thanked 171 Times in 56 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Market Flooded with Mekong Giant Here's the update: It has been a very mild winter. All of my bananas continue to grow. I received cold damage early in the winter and again in February. Yet, nearly of the bananas did not slow down. The ones that slowed still grew well. The magical, wondrous Mekong did not come close to any of my basjoos, even ones purposely planted earlier in the season at comparable size for testing. Further it wasn't on par with the Darjeeling Giant either. It is indeed hardy but nowhere near the claims being made. It has grown reasonably well and has a unique look to it though, so I am still glad to have it. I know people have been dying to know. __________________ Jeff North Florida

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