Musa velutina blooming in TN

Randy4ut · 07-24-2007, 09:55 PM

I was outside this evening, checking out the plants and found that my M. velutina is finally putting out its first bloom of the season... Seems alittle later this year than the last couple, but with our Easter freeze this spring, I guess it may have set them back a few weeks... Anyway, thought it was a pretty good shot, so I decided to post it... Anyone wanting seeds this fall, be watching for a posting about it later this fall....

Steve in France · 07-25-2007, 08:31 AM

Thanks for those pics , inspires hope for me :-) . I've never had a flower in five years of growing Musa , in France it was Winter protection and here they are all too young. So thanks again for the pics.
I'm up for killing some seeds when they are ready lol .
Well done
later
Steve

Randy4ut · 07-25-2007, 01:24 PM

I'll post when the seeds are harvested... Hopefully, I will have alot like I did last summer...

Lagniappe · 07-25-2007, 01:52 PM

The spider mites are lovin my velutinas . I treated them with pesticide oil , soap and spray . Now , I'm letting nature take its course . I 'm seeing predatory insects now ...mites , dolichopodids .... and hoping their numbers will grow to reach a sort of natural balance .
I would have tried the chemicals again but my 9 year old is growing watermelons 'downstream ' of this mat and I really want to see the outcome of this natural approach .
My plants are only 3-5 ' tall . I have plenty of pups if anyone is interested .

Randy4ut · 07-25-2007, 03:21 PM

Pete,
Good looking clump of velutina there buddy... Being in LA instead of TN, definitely gave you a leg up on the fruiting... Sorry to hear about the spider mites... I guess TN velutina can get a leg up on that one... In the 3 years I have grown velutinas, I have never noticed a spider mite or any other pest, with the exception of Japanese Beetles of course...

Lagniappe · 07-25-2007, 03:51 PM

Randy ,
How tall do yours get ? Mine are very short .

Kylie2x · 07-25-2007, 04:24 PM

OMG!!! Ya'll all of those pics are soooo Beautiful...
Is this something that I could over winter here ..?? I'm a 7/8 ish
I have always just brought everything in or under..LOL.. ( and still will with some)
BUT that is more work than I really want.... I would love to just mulch mulch mulch... and dig around for new sprouts come Spring..
Kylie

Taylor · 07-25-2007, 04:35 PM

Here in VA I have never seen Spider Mites before. I hope I don't get them with any trades either. Just Japanese Beetles like Randy said- I'm thinkin about putting one of those attracter/catchers out near the Canna and Crape Myrtles

Randy4ut · 07-25-2007, 05:22 PM

Taylor,
I wouldn't advise putting a bag/attractor anywhere near your plants, unless you want to draw all the neighbor's japanese beetles to your place... I would recommend giving them to YOUR neighbors and let them pull yours away from your plants... The attactants are very powerful tools to "attract" which is NOT what you want...Or do you?!?!? LOL IMHO, stay away from the lures...

Randy4ut · 07-25-2007, 05:28 PM

Kylie,
Where are you located? I am in SE TN (zone 7a/b) and my velutina come back bigger and better every year with on 3-4" of mulch for protection... If you are 7/8ish, you should not have any trouble with M. velutina, as well as several other varities. What are you trying to achieve growing nanners? If you just want the tropical look of the foliage, several nanners will give you that. If you want to get them to fruit, velutina is about the hardiest one for that... The velutina will flower and fruit in one growing season in your area, but the fruit is not edible unless you don't mind spitting the seeds out as you eat them like watermelon!!! LOL

Taylor · 07-25-2007, 05:32 PM

LOL never thought of that! Good idea.

Randy4ut · 07-25-2007, 05:36 PM

Pete,
Mine actually have topped out the past two year around 10'. This year they are right at 9' now... This topic has been discussed on this board only a couple of weeks ago... Here's a link to the thread:
How did bigdog get his velutina to flower that small

Whatever the reason is, mine tend to grow alot bigger than some of the other ones that I have seen... Most nurseries list their velutinas to grow 4-6'. Who knows, all I know is I sure enjoy my clump...
Randy

Kylie2x · 07-25-2007, 06:26 PM

LOL!!! I'm about 50 mi. W of FTW Texas.... We do have long summers ya know the kind with watermelon spittin and cow pattie tosses.....This could be a new event...
I have about a dozen different Bananas.. I would love to find some that I can enjoy the foliage and fruit (spittin or not..LOL) and not have to dig it up and worry if it will make it thru the winter...
Do you know of any good or great vendors???
Kylie

Randy4ut · 07-25-2007, 06:42 PM

I don't know if the cow patty tossing would classify as a new event or not, but here in TN we been a slinging cow pattys since we were "knee high to a grasshopper"... LOL Anyway, I will have some seeds later this fall, if you think you might be interested in trying... I will post the offer when they are ready... If you don't have any luck locating a plant, I may have a couple of divisions ready to go to a new home next spring... I do not know who carries velutinas, but even then, don't know if they are the shorter ones or the taller ones...

Kylie2x · 07-25-2007, 07:07 PM

LOL!!!!
Thanks that is very generous.... .
I just went to Zone 9 Tropicals. they do have one for $12.99.. I have always had great luck with them.. Maybe I will see if they have them in stock...
I know DH would be thrilled not to have a jungle in the house or have to humor me as I go under the house come winter ...LOL THANKS!!!!
Kylie

Bananaman88 · 07-27-2007, 02:04 PM

Hello everyone! I also have some M. velutina seeds (available now) that I'm willing to share if anyone is wanting them now. Let me know.

bigdog · 07-27-2007, 11:01 PM

Randy, glad to see your bloomfest is starting! Can't wait to get mine in the ground here. Might be next year though. We're getting one clump of it planted into the UT Gardens the week after next. I'll be sure to update you when the time comes. Thanks,

Frank

Randy4ut · 07-28-2007, 05:42 AM

Hey Frank,
I checked on it last night, and it is starting to open... I did notice two other blooms starting to form... Keep me updated on yours...
Randy

07-24-2007, 09:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Randy4ut Moderator Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a/b Name: Randy4ut Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 890 BananaBucks : 14,687 Feedback: 17 / 100% Thanks: 415 Thanked 331 Times in 158 Posts Welcomes: 33	Musa velutina blooming in TN I was outside this evening, checking out the plants and found that my M. velutina is finally putting out its first bloom of the season... Seems alittle later this year than the last couple, but with our Easter freeze this spring, I guess it may have set them back a few weeks... Anyway, thought it was a pretty good shot, so I decided to post it... Anyone wanting seeds this fall, be watching for a posting about it later this fall.... __________________

07-25-2007, 08:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Steve in France Senior Member Steve in France's Photo Gallery Location: Bethesda, MD Find me on the map! Zone: zone: it says 6 to 8 Name: Steve in France Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 382 BananaBucks : 5,397 Feedback: 12 / 93% Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 21 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Thanks for those pics , inspires hope for me :-) . I've never had a flower in five years of growing Musa , in France it was Winter protection and here they are all too young. So thanks again for the pics. I'm up for killing some seeds when they are ready lol . Well done later Steve __________________ Always looking for a lost pup

07-25-2007, 01:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Randy4ut Moderator Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a/b Name: Randy4ut Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 890 BananaBucks : 14,687 Feedback: 17 / 100% Thanks: 415 Thanked 331 Times in 158 Posts Welcomes: 33	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN I'll post when the seeds are harvested... Hopefully, I will have alot like I did last summer... __________________

07-25-2007, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lagniappe Banana Padawan Lagniappe's Photo Gallery Location: North La Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Pete Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 805 BananaBucks : 8,059 Feedback: 20 / 100% Thanks: 185 Thanked 154 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 235	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN The spider mites are lovin my velutinas . I treated them with pesticide oil , soap and spray . Now , I'm letting nature take its course . I 'm seeing predatory insects now ...mites , dolichopodids .... and hoping their numbers will grow to reach a sort of natural balance . I would have tried the chemicals again but my 9 year old is growing watermelons 'downstream ' of this mat and I really want to see the outcome of this natural approach . My plants are only 3-5 ' tall . I have plenty of pups if anyone is interested . __________________ I'm not tipsy ! I'm just not very articulate and maybe a lil tipsy .

07-25-2007, 03:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Randy4ut Moderator Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a/b Name: Randy4ut Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 890 BananaBucks : 14,687 Feedback: 17 / 100% Thanks: 415 Thanked 331 Times in 158 Posts Welcomes: 33	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Pete, Good looking clump of velutina there buddy... Being in LA instead of TN, definitely gave you a leg up on the fruiting... Sorry to hear about the spider mites... I guess TN velutina can get a leg up on that one... In the 3 years I have grown velutinas, I have never noticed a spider mite or any other pest, with the exception of Japanese Beetles of course... __________________

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07-25-2007, 03:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lagniappe Banana Padawan Lagniappe's Photo Gallery Location: North La Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Pete Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 805 BananaBucks : 8,059 Feedback: 20 / 100% Thanks: 185 Thanked 154 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 235	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Randy , How tall do yours get ? Mine are very short . __________________ I'm not tipsy ! I'm just not very articulate and maybe a lil tipsy .

07-25-2007, 04:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kylie2x Senior Member Kylie2x's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,059 BananaBucks : 3,837 Feedback: 20 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 119 Times in 91 Posts Welcomes: 155	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN OMG!!! Ya'll all of those pics are soooo Beautiful... Is this something that I could over winter here ..?? I'm a 7/8 ish I have always just brought everything in or under..LOL.. ( and still will with some) BUT that is more work than I really want.... I would love to just mulch mulch mulch... and dig around for new sprouts come Spring.. Kylie

07-25-2007, 04:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
Taylor KING OF KORM. Taylor 's Photo Gallery Location: VA Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Taylor Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,415 BananaBucks : 11,293 Feedback: 13 / 100% Thanks: 192 Thanked 153 Times in 100 Posts Welcomes: 194	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Here in VA I have never seen Spider Mites before. I hope I don't get them with any trades either. Just Japanese Beetles like Randy said- I'm thinkin about putting one of those attracter/catchers out near the Canna and Crape Myrtles __________________ Taylor Update: 23 California Gold fruit expected by Thanksgiving! Harvested!

07-25-2007, 05:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Randy4ut Moderator Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a/b Name: Randy4ut Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 890 BananaBucks : 14,687 Feedback: 17 / 100% Thanks: 415 Thanked 331 Times in 158 Posts Welcomes: 33	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Taylor, I wouldn't advise putting a bag/attractor anywhere near your plants, unless you want to draw all the neighbor's japanese beetles to your place... I would recommend giving them to YOUR neighbors and let them pull yours away from your plants... The attactants are very powerful tools to "attract" which is NOT what you want...Or do you?!?!? LOL IMHO, stay away from the lures... __________________

07-25-2007, 05:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Randy4ut Moderator Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a/b Name: Randy4ut Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 890 BananaBucks : 14,687 Feedback: 17 / 100% Thanks: 415 Thanked 331 Times in 158 Posts Welcomes: 33	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Kylie, Where are you located? I am in SE TN (zone 7a/b) and my velutina come back bigger and better every year with on 3-4" of mulch for protection... If you are 7/8ish, you should not have any trouble with M. velutina, as well as several other varities. What are you trying to achieve growing nanners? If you just want the tropical look of the foliage, several nanners will give you that. If you want to get them to fruit, velutina is about the hardiest one for that... The velutina will flower and fruit in one growing season in your area, but the fruit is not edible unless you don't mind spitting the seeds out as you eat them like watermelon!!! LOL __________________

07-25-2007, 05:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
Taylor KING OF KORM. Taylor 's Photo Gallery Location: VA Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Taylor Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,415 BananaBucks : 11,293 Feedback: 13 / 100% Thanks: 192 Thanked 153 Times in 100 Posts Welcomes: 194	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN LOL never thought of that! Good idea. __________________ Taylor Update: 23 California Gold fruit expected by Thanksgiving! Harvested!

07-25-2007, 05:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
Randy4ut Moderator Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a/b Name: Randy4ut Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 890 BananaBucks : 14,687 Feedback: 17 / 100% Thanks: 415 Thanked 331 Times in 158 Posts Welcomes: 33	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Pete, Mine actually have topped out the past two year around 10'. This year they are right at 9' now... This topic has been discussed on this board only a couple of weeks ago... Here's a link to the thread: How did bigdog get his velutina to flower that small Whatever the reason is, mine tend to grow alot bigger than some of the other ones that I have seen... Most nurseries list their velutinas to grow 4-6'. Who knows, all I know is I sure enjoy my clump... Randy __________________

07-25-2007, 06:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
Kylie2x Senior Member Kylie2x's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,059 BananaBucks : 3,837 Feedback: 20 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 119 Times in 91 Posts Welcomes: 155	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN LOL!!! I'm about 50 mi. W of FTW Texas.... We do have long summers ya know the kind with watermelon spittin and cow pattie tosses.....This could be a new event... I have about a dozen different Bananas.. I would love to find some that I can enjoy the foliage and fruit (spittin or not..LOL) and not have to dig it up and worry if it will make it thru the winter... Do you know of any good or great vendors??? Kylie

07-25-2007, 06:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
Randy4ut Moderator Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a/b Name: Randy4ut Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 890 BananaBucks : 14,687 Feedback: 17 / 100% Thanks: 415 Thanked 331 Times in 158 Posts Welcomes: 33	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN I don't know if the cow patty tossing would classify as a new event or not, but here in TN we been a slinging cow pattys since we were "knee high to a grasshopper"... LOL Anyway, I will have some seeds later this fall, if you think you might be interested in trying... I will post the offer when they are ready... If you don't have any luck locating a plant, I may have a couple of divisions ready to go to a new home next spring... I do not know who carries velutinas, but even then, don't know if they are the shorter ones or the taller ones... __________________

07-25-2007, 07:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
Kylie2x Senior Member Kylie2x's Photo Gallery Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,059 BananaBucks : 3,837 Feedback: 20 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 119 Times in 91 Posts Welcomes: 155	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN LOL!!!! Thanks that is very generous.... . I just went to Zone 9 Tropicals. they do have one for $12.99.. I have always had great luck with them.. Maybe I will see if they have them in stock... I know DH would be thrilled not to have a jungle in the house or have to humor me as I go under the house come winter ...LOL THANKS!!!! Kylie

07-27-2007, 02:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Pearland, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,104 BananaBucks : 8,833 Feedback: 15 / 100% Thanks: 113 Thanked 311 Times in 214 Posts Welcomes: 8	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Hello everyone! I also have some M. velutina seeds (available now) that I'm willing to share if anyone is wanting them now. Let me know.

07-27-2007, 11:01 PM	#17 (permalink)
bigdog Title-less bigdog's Photo Gallery Location: Knoxville, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Frank Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,462 BananaBucks : 5,113 Feedback: 5 / 100% Thanks: 76 Thanked 373 Times in 155 Posts Welcomes: 84	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Randy, glad to see your bloomfest is starting! Can't wait to get mine in the ground here. Might be next year though. We're getting one clump of it planted into the UT Gardens the week after next. I'll be sure to update you when the time comes. Thanks, Frank

07-28-2007, 05:42 AM	#18 (permalink)
Randy4ut Moderator Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland, TN Find me on the map! Zone: 7a/b Name: Randy4ut Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 890 BananaBucks : 14,687 Feedback: 17 / 100% Thanks: 415 Thanked 331 Times in 158 Posts Welcomes: 33	Re: Musa velutina blooming in TN Hey Frank, I checked on it last night, and it is starting to open... I did notice two other blooms starting to form... Keep me updated on yours... Randy __________________

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