Bananas.org - Musa Chini Champa

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Musa Chini Champa

I have a photo of when I imported this variety many ,many years ago from India with a phyto certificate but I don't have the time to look for it now.
After my research was done, I knew this would be a great one!
This is from a source ...

Quote:

Product Description
This is a distinctive banana that is a favourite among banana lovers for it''s very sweet tasting fruit combined with a fresh "banana" aroma. The plants are not very large when grown in the relatively cool climate of Kalimpong. The stems are deep red brown when mature and new shoots show distinct red colouration. New leaves have a red tinge on the back of the leaves. Midribs of leaves are dull red. In the hot areas of West Bengal this variety is known as "Champa-Kala" and the plants grow taller and are more robust and each inflorescence produces more hands of fruit.In the hills, the name "Chini-champa" originates from "chini = sugar" and "champa=fragrance of magnolia flowers".

Anyways,I gave mine to Brian aka"Nanaman" when I stopped growing bananas at the time and he grew the heck out of it and still does. One of his favorites as per taste,color, and fruit bunch that he has kept.So,earlier this year around January I knew I was ready to give it a shot and enjoy it for myself and actually get to experience this banana from India!

Here is an update as of today...

(Brought this home from Nanaman's Chini mat) It was winter and they were small ...TRUST THE CORM!!!!!!!
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IMG_1434 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]
Finally in the ground around early March or May
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IMG_3038 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]

updated today
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IMG_5027 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Amazing growth in just under a year!! :08:

I wonder if this is the same as the one a grower from Puerto Rico was referring to as 'Chumpo'
But that one was described as being more big plantain-like bananas

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valor_X (Post 334577)

look at the picture they post Chumpo looks like a Orinoco. The names maybe different in other countries

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnsk9 (Post 334578)

look at the picture they post Chumpo looks like a Orinoco. The names maybe different in other countries

Yeah that was the same picture I saw as well, it does look like Orinoco but it doesn't seem right. Maybe its just me but these look fatter and rounder.

In any case, I just looked up Chini Champa on the Wiki and it doesn't match the description of this one at all so its not the same.

The wiki doesn't have any pics of the fruit yet, OP you should post some when it fruits! :08:

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valor_X (Post 334579)

Many of the people there(P R)have plants from Germplasm Repository in Puerto Rico, which often has or gives Mislabled plants out.Many people here buy plants from other countries to find out they have some thing different then they wanted or paid for,You would do much better buying from growers here in the USA

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valor_X (Post 334579)

In any case, I just looked up Chini Champa on the Wiki and it doesn't match the description of this one at all so its not the same.

The wiki doesn't have any pics of the fruit yet, OP you should post some when it fruits! :08:

I took the time to upload a few pictures of our Chini Champa, hope this helps....

found the picture ! upon arrival from India. At this point I was like...ohhh no lol!!!
I thought to myself.....Theres no way I can trust this corm
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DSC02281 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]
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DSC02283 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]

Musa Chini Champa (grown in Nanaman's yard)
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June_09_012 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]
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chini champa by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]
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September_2011_011 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]

Chini Champa flower and fruit
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July_2011_001 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]
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July_2011_002 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]

Chini Champa fruit bunch
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March_2012_011 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]
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March_2012_013 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]
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March_2012_020 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]

Chini Champa fruit
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November_2011_008 by Rene, on Flickr[/IMG]

and here is Gabes interpretation

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe15 (Post 11868)

You are correct in that 'Chini Champa' is AB, it is in the Ney Poovan group and of which some are called 'Lady Finger', the problem arises when you try to say what a 'Lady Finger' banana is. This is a name that is loosely applied to many different varieties, there really is no solid 'Lady Finger' variety, pretty much any small sweet banana is called 'Lady Finger' somewhere or another. Calling a banana a lady finger is therefore more to describe the fruit in most cases, not the name of a specific variety.

hopes this helps

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Looks like a winner Greenie! Have you tasted the fruit from nanamans plants?

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeash (Post 334592)

Looks like a winner Greenie! Have you tasted the fruit from nanamans plants?

Yes,I did but it was a few years ago. I do remember it was excellent! :08:

here is Namaman's take

Quote:

Originally Posted by NANAMAN (Post 205884)

I have grown all three , and Manzano has been my favorite, not only of these three varieties, but out of the 50+ varieties I've grown, except for Chini Champa!

The Manzano and Chini Champa are my two favorites, and it would be hard to pick which one I like the best.

Thats all im going to say lol!:08::bananas_b

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Looking great greenie! Thanks for the photos!

Re: Musa Chini Champa

They gave you a nearly perfectly round corm! love it XD
And yeah thanks for all the pictures!!! :bananas_b
You should look to see if you can add them to the Wiki page

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenie (Post 335571)

http://https://flic.kr/p/2jPQVPD

What the heck are you doing to those? They look great! Gained almost a foot! Lol

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Simply incredible. Winter in Charleston is such a tease. Just cold enough to screw me up.

Those are really gorgeous.

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Quote:

Originally Posted by wstrickland1 (Post 335575)

Simply incredible. Winter in Charleston is such a tease. Just cold enough to screw me up.

Those are really gorgeous.

Thanks :bananas_b

...if anyone can upload the pic I would appreciate it, I’m stuck on a phone for now and the mobile flicker won’t let me.

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backyard Banana Joe (Post 335601)

Here you go

Thanks BBJ! :bananas_b

On the right is my Manzano that is finally growing and on the top and left of the CC in a tiny Ae Ae lol!

Re: Musa Chini Champa

Does anyone have a source for these?