Report on the Upper Gulf Coast Banana meet!
 

We had a really great meet.

Those of you that could not attend missed a really good time. We all met up about 0900 and after brief introductions we all took a tour of Bo's property which included discussing the many mats of various Banana and some striking ornamentals that he grows.

After the tour we retired to the inside to enjoy some AC, refreshing cold beverages and Krispy Kreme doughnuts which I learned was Bo's wife Sharon favorite doughnut. We had some really good discussions on varieties, nutrition, ground preparation for planting, and fertilizing. Each of us discussed our trials and experiences growing and attempting to grow Bananas. We also talked about other fruit varieties that we grow. Phillip, a friend of Bo, talked about his soils inability to grow bananas but would grow Citrus. After all that talking about bananas and other fruits we had developed a good hunger and Bo served up some excellent fried chicken, hot wings and some potato salad my wife had prepared for the gathering.

We continued the discussions through mouthfuls of food and be refreshed we headed out into the garden to exchange some plants and relieve Bo of some of his pups. One of the things enjoyed by all was the practical hands on teaching by Bo of pup removal. Jose had brought a Tall Namwah and I scooped it up. Hydroid received a Pisang Klotek that he has been wanting for a while. Jose’s Goldfingers had died last year and he replenished his stock and added a Raji Puri. Hydroids wife even got in on the action. She and Bo had been to my house several days ago and wanted some of my Elephant Ears. It seems I may have one plant that I have luckily grown larger than his. I brought over a half dozen or so of them and she was glad to get. I'm not sure about Bo though as he is going to have to plant them! LOL

We couldn't convince Phillip to take any bananas and Barnettmill asked for a rain check saying that he wanted to do some advance prep work on his ground prior to getting his pups. He also brought some pears he had grown himself. While he modestly complained that they really should be better all that tasted found them to be very good. I would be proud to have them hanging in my yard and with his promise to give me some budwood I will. Seems he has some 18 varieties of pears!

I want to start a new endeavor to row crop some dwarf and shorter growing bananas between my citrus rows. Bo happily hooked me up with some Dwarf Cavendish pups, some more Goldfinger and some Raji Puri. I already have some Dwarf Reds and Dwarf Namwahs and together with Bo’s pups that should give me a good start. Thanks BO!

We all agreed that we'll be meeting again. Hopefully those that could not make it will make the next one. Our colective knowledge and experiences will have only grown by then. I'm already looking forward to it. I might host the next one.


Thanks Bo for providing a great day!