Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

Before covid, you could purchase a Musa Florida, between $100 - $130 and now they are around $1000 - $2000🙄 like many other variegated bananas, prices have skyrocketed. Just would like everyone's opinions on this subject.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

I saw some dummy on ebay selling cmv infected bananas as variegated. People are desperate. Though, even for the real varieties, it's not even worth it. A few hundred at the most.

There must be another Blue-Java-hipster movement or something.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

I noticed those prices too
It seems like it's mostly the overseas sellers that hiked up the prices.
People must be buying if they are marking them that high

Mine are on the ground so they got minor cold damage, but should otherwise be fine

Even before the price hike they were still very hard to get.
Every posting on Ebay was bid only and ended up getting into several bidding wars before I finally won mine - at a very good price too :)

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

Hi Valor

Unlike Ae Ae , Florida can be tissue cultured, if Covid restrictions around the world, start to ease, prices of Musa Florida, will drop significantly.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

I hope that they ease soon. It would be nice to have one for notathousand dollars

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

Prices are way too high and once buyers refuse to pay those crazy prices the prices will drop.

Here's a Manini I harvested today.

Looks more beautiful without the variegated leaves. :ha::ha::ha:

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

I want to say thanks, this is a great topic for a thread.

I agree that tissue culture labs might be able to affect prices on some platforms but their cost per unit is too high to compete with the prices here on the org. I used to retail variegated bananas here for $15 and I believed if I shared enough variegated bananas with members that later they would do the same with other members. I was thrilled when the prices on this site for variegated bananas dropped to $5 each.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

When I asked you when you bought your Florida, I was hoping you were part of the $39.95 promo. But because those were all "Buy It Now or Make an Offer" you couldn't have taken part in that.

That promo had 2 objectives, first was to see what percentage of people would make an offer instead of an immediate purchase. There was only one person that took the time to make an offer which showed that the $39.95 price point was not too high for eBay.

The second objective was to see if a lower price point would reduce the number of messages sent by buyers. A lower price with less messages has some advantages over a higher price with more messages. Unfortunately the lower price seemed to attract more people with less experience which in turn increased the average number of messages.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

This is a good example why tissue culture labs won't ever be able to compete with the prices on the org. This little offshoot can be shipped anywhere within the USA for about $3 and can be mass produced by anyone with some basic macropropagation skills.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

Hey PR!
My Florida are doing great but I'm propagating the old fashioned way for now.
I still definitely want to try micro later on.

I had success with a tiny node from a Truly Tiny





Here's the Truly Tiny

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

That's great :woohoonaner:

The more you practice the better you'll get.

How did you do with the seeds from the variegated acuminata?

This morning I received a message loaded photos from a client in San Francisco that planted the seeds over a year ago and they just started to sprout now.

The results people are getting vary dramatically. A moderator from this forum bought seeds from us and had variegated seedlings in about 3 weeks.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

I just saw the first seedling from this bunch today but unfortunately it doesn't appear to have any variegation yet.

It's still cool producing new varieties. :08:

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

I would be happy to pay a fair price for a Manini or Florida. I’m in Houston, TX

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

I had a seedling during winter that unfortunately died.
Perhaps I did not have the correct temperature in the heat mat I used.

I actually have a new seedling that just sprouted.
For now I'm going to try and grow more outside now that it's warm.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

Just want you to know I haven't been sleeping on it.
I've been doing a lot of experimenting with great results...

Germination rate on 50/50 Peat Moss/Perlite has been excellent.
With 30% potting soil germination rate is a lot lower.
I've only had 1 germinate on 100% potting soil.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

I think the prices of the variagated bananas are absolutely ridiculous. I wont pay those prices personally. I think its another fad buy and will go the way of the tulip craze/bubble of the 1600s. Same is true with any variety of banana that is over priced. I tried to get Tu'u ghia, and was expected to pay $300...
Its just greed, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I do expect to pay more for rarer varieties, but some people are just getting really greedy.

Re: Opinions on the price of variegated bananas
 

most everything went up on e-bay after biden started throwing everybody money. alot of it was things that people could do at home hiding from covid