New banana question!
 

Hello all,

I'm new here! My name is Jamie and I live in Springfield Mo. I've been growing
bananas for many years and finally my Orinoco is producing fruit!! I've been pretty excited! I have a building by my house full of tropical plants ,but I like bananas the most.My question is I would like to try another type of banana after my Orinoco is finished, but I'm not sure which one to try. If anyone has a good idea for my next attempt I would really appreciate your input on the subject. Also, does anyone know if the Orinoco is a good flavored banana?

Thank you very much, Jamie

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

You might try this one.


Raja Puri


Musa Rajapuri - Bananas Wiki

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

Thank you! I'll look that one up!

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

What do you mean 'after my orinoco is finished?' Sure, the main pseudostem dies after fruiting, but there will be pups from the roots to take its place. Why wait...I'd buy something now and get it growing! Best of luck!

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

I wish I could but I'm out of space and if I bring another one in the
house my wife will kill me! I do plan on adding to my sun room soon though.
I know one thing. This Orinoco in fruit has drawn alot of visitors! Lol people are
coming from everywhere to see it, and they all want a banana! I'm gonna have to lock that place up! It's amazing how many people think bananas grow on an actuall tree. It is quite the addiction. There are so many varieties out there! It's crazy!

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

You can get one going outside this time of year.When the Orinoco is done switch them out

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

Ya, that is a good idea. I have a small Double Mahoi and I was wondering if it would work. I can't wait to taste the Orinoco and I guess now I want to taste other varieties too. So ya. I think you have the best idea plus I have two Orinoco pups coming on from that plant that I can keep for the future!

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

Misi Luki, Goldfinger, Sweetheart, Praying Hands

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

Well how tall is your Orinoco? Your wife is like many of ours.. Addicts of the Banana pursuit.. lol :^) What's your height restrictions for a banana if any? Good Luck & Happy Growing.

You are right ! It is an addiction. My Orinoco's psuedostem is 5' tall. It currantly has 40 bananas and I'm hopefull for more. A new bract opens up every day.I also have a dwarf Red that was planted in there at the same time but it is much larger and i keep waiting for it to bloom too.I have them in huge planters with a few other tropicals and they are doing great!

Oh as far as hight goes I have 16' to the ceiling.

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

Welcome to the org.

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

Thanks Hammer!! This is pretty cool! I had no idea there were this many Banana growers out there.

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

Well you got me by 4ft.. but I'm stickin' with dwarfs for the most part. The Orinoco Leafs sure get wide when the P-stem is 5ft.. :^) Congrat's on the flower.. I'd go with a Goldfinger or praying hands if you only get one choice. When you reap your bounty you could transplant the whole corm in full sun (on your south side) in the spring. Search the thread on Winterization.. :^)

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

Hey thanks for the tip! I'll check that out. There is so much to learn on here! Yes, the leaves get HUGE! I like the dwarfs too, much easier to grow atleast for me. Well, considering that the Orinoco is a dwarf and the only others I have tried is the dwarf red and the Double Mahoi. That Praying hands looks really cool but I looks like a large plant too. I'm tempted to try it but I just don't know. Do you know...is the fruit of the Orinoco very tasty?

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

I have 16 ft cellings I over wintered praying hands 6ft apple bannana 6 ft. dwarf cavendish 5 ft. they done well.

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

I built some planters in my sunroom which I built next to the house and filled them with a really well drained soil and they have done great but it's not a really big building ,but it is tall which helps. I think my neighbors think I'm crazy , but they sure come over alot to see what's going on with the bananas especially now that one is actually producing fruit! Hammer when overwintering your bananas do you slow down on the watering very much?winter seems like a dificult time for me when it comes to watering.

Re: New banana quoestion!
 

I have the problem of root rot when the temperatures fall below 42F and unseasonable rain occurs, like happened in this last winter's El Nino. It is more pronounced with potted plants. I hope this observation helps. :2239:

Yes put very little water on them in the winter and i use perlite and peatmoss in in my soil last winter i put 2 cups of water every 2 weeks per plant.

There is only a handfull of pepole who grow bananas around here and the others think im strange when my dwarf cavendish bloomed all of them had to stop and see. there is a guy who lives down the road he gets orinicos every year they do him the same way.

Re: New banana question!
 

Well with 16' of ceiling, you're options are pretty diverse! I know a lot of people who are surprised to hear/see that you can grow bananas in Missouri or any non-tropical place. It does take some extra work/effort, but I think the 'impossible' factor is part of the appeal for me. Plus they're just beautiful plants and grow so darn fast. It really is addictive!

Re: New banana question!
 

fwiw, I would suggest little prince.