Roadside Fe'i
 

I saw this one the other day and had to get a picture. It's not far from Hilo.
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Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

Looks cool, try to get some more photos as the fruit develops if you can. Doesn't look like the (relatively) common 'Aiuri', there are few others on BI, perhaps you found one, could be a type of ''Afara' perhaps. That male bud looks like it has some good growth left to go on it, which a bit unusual for the fe'i usually seen in Hawaii.

I don't think it is 'U'ururu' as detailed here: http://www.bananas.org/f2/rare-fei-r...-me-22398.html

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

And my 'U'ururu is almost certainly a type of Karat from Pohnpei, at least according to the grower. Must bring my shovel the next time I drive that way!

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

Gosh. How may I aquire one?

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

Well hopefully one of these days I'll have enough to sell, but my record with Fe'i is pretty dismal. I've killed more Fe'i than anything else, probably 5 so far, all Aiuri. Whatever this other one is so far it seems much more hearty.

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

They do not tolerate the sun well. Mine seem to be doing great. This last drought kind of dried one out though. She seems to be doing good. I really want to perpetuate the other varieties of Fe'i as w

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

I got some pics of it too. Such amazing looking racks.

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

Much better than my picture Rob

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

Not having ever seen Aiuri except a poor view from the ground, I'm excited that Gabe thinks it could be Afara. Without the fruit being filled out and having some color, I didn't get very far in trying to ID it based on the Kepler & Rust book.

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

Rob,

Do you know of anyone in California who has a Fe'i? I can't imagine it's anywhere on the mainland short of being there. (I know it's a long-shot whatever the case. :-)

N.

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

I don't, sorry.

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

I heard rumors of someone who had tried them, using greenhouses etc., and was secretive about it. But I've never seen one in CA.

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

I have tried Fei but lost mine during a -2C event. They were young though and just 5cm rhizome diameter. Plus that winter was too wet and cool, so don't know if the cold or cool and wet killed the one I tried outdoors. Lost the rest to indoor overwintering. I grew them for 3years prior to that.
I trully hope I find one again to try. They are not difficult to grow but don't know if they are cold hardy enough for 9b/10a

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

I noticed this morning that this bunch has been chopped
Didn't seem like it was ready, but oh well

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

Bummer. It is by far my favorite musa.

Re: Roadside Fe'i
 

You are not the only member of that club!

Fei are amazing....not easy to grow. Only person stateside that I know of that had any success was Bill Lessard (original owner of Going Bananas). I need to find my catalog wherein he offered them for sale.