Jose263

I had a great time visiting Hydroid and Darkman this morning.
Learned alot, good conversation and brought home several varieties.
Darkman thanks for trading the goldfinger plants so everything would fit inside the truck and for the citrus advice. Hydroid many thanks for sharing and getting me started.
Looking forward to some home grown nanners next year.

Jose/TJ

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Growing: Orinoco, Rajapuri, Dwarf Cav, SDC, TT, Dwarf Red, Dwarf Namwah, Tall Namwah (aka Ice Cream), Dwarf Brazilian, Veinte Cohol, California Gold, Double Mohai, NOT-Goldfinger, Gran Nain, Velutina

bananimal

Jose - post some pics.

Dan

Blake09

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A banana plant in the autumn gale -
I listen to the dripping of rain
Into a basin at night.
~ Basho Matsuo (1644- 1694)

Darkman

Not sure if Jose took pics BUT I took some before I left. I was at Hydroids in early July and the difference in three months is incredible. If Jose doesn't post some I will but it will be a few days before I can. I returned home with Ice Cream, Goldfinger, Saba and more Orinocos. I think Jose took home a DC, Goldfinger, Raja Puri and Ice Cream.

One of the more enjoyable things we did was sit around in the SHADE of his banana trees. How many people have Bananas so large that they cast a shade large enough for three grown men to sit in the shade. A good time was had by all.

Hydroid is truely a generous soul. Many thanks.

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

Jose263

Thanks Darkman - I didn't think to take pics at that visit but my daughter-in-law took some on our visit to Hydroid a few days earlier - I'll try get those and post.
Yep - I came home with an Ice Cream, Raji Puri, Dwarf Cavendish, and Gold Finger and first-hand knowledge about how to separate pups form the mother plant - that was super.
Hydroid shared a banana article from the local newspaper (Mobile, AL) that had a wealth of information.
I think my unidentified nana pad by the horse barn might be an Orinoco no bloom yet so can't be certain but i'll definitely be winterizing and hoping for some fruit next year.
Thanks to all
Jose

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Growing: Orinoco, Rajapuri, Dwarf Cav, SDC, TT, Dwarf Red, Dwarf Namwah, Tall Namwah (aka Ice Cream), Dwarf Brazilian, Veinte Cohol, California Gold, Double Mohai, NOT-Goldfinger, Gran Nain, Velutina

hydroid

I enjoyed having Darkman and Jose over at my house, I was looking forward to it for awhile and was glad everyone's schedule worked out perfectly. We will have to do it again soon. I also learned alot from Darkman and Jose, very good folks. My camera died recently when I was in Bermuda, but I'm sure Darkman and Jose will post some good pics soon. Thanks
Bo

Bermy nana

Sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing. I have been acquiring more plants myself. I now have a 4ft Cuban red, I posted a pic. Looking forward to your pics Darkman.

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Darkman

Jose,

Go ahead and post your pics. I have nine pics that I will post on Thursday.

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

MediaHound

Great to hear about, another meetup between members in the books.
I love reading about when members meetup and have a good time. Pics are awesome, too.

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

Darkman

Here is two pictures. The first July 5th 2010. The second October 9th, 2010.



Hydroid B.G.E. Banana Grower Extraordinaire

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

Darkman

Here we go!



I'm sorry but I don't know the name of the mats. Hydroid will have to fill in the blanks. Being there and seeing these up close is a humbling experience, at least to me. I've seen many Banana plants in peoples yards but nothing like these and while as Hydroid says a lot of it is in the variety, that is not the only reason. He regularly feeds and waters them that and good location equals jaw dropping stares from passerbys. I know that the ones on the left are Sabas but I'm not sure about the rest There were some plain Orinocos in the middle mat in July but I'm not sure now. Maybe Hydroid will give us the names. All of these grew from ground level this spring as last winter leveled everything.



OK in this picture we are playing hide the house. The sun was high in the sky creating dark shadows. My pictures are high resolution so if you want you can open the large version (by clicking the picture and then clicking the picture again in the new window) and see more details and yes you can even catch a glimpse of the house. I think the Banana in the foreground is a Goldfinger but don't quote me. It could be a Silvertoenail. LOL All I know for sure is we dug two pups from it. Help Hydroid

Hydroid said the "GOLDFINGER" is an Ice Cream.
Thanks Hydroid

More later,

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

hydroid

Hey Darkman, hope you got them naners in the ground.
On the upper photo you have behind the Century Plant moving from left to right are some good size Orinocos with Sabas right behind them and right center of the Century Plant is Goldfinger. Moving further to the right is Basjoo next to the Castor bean. Extreme right is Thai Giant with Sabas behind it. The smaller ones closer are Dwarf Cavendish and Raja Puri. You can get an idea of the relative size of these plants by the power lines in the background behind the plants.

And the Bananas in the second photo are Ice Cream.

Great photos, Charlie I hope we can get together again soon
Bo

Bermy nana

Thanks again for sharing. Those plants are incredible. Hopefully you can get some edible fruit next year.

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Blake09

Thanks for the pictures!





.

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A banana plant in the autumn gale -
I listen to the dripping of rain
Into a basin at night.
~ Basho Matsuo (1644- 1694)

Darkman

Hey Jose Let's see some of the pictures you took.

I'll try to post some more of mine later.

Hydroid thanks for the ID's. I'll try to get some pics of the ones I got from you and planted too!

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

Darkman

Yeah I know these pictures are a little large. Just like everything Hydroid grows is. If Hydroid planted beans we would be calling him Jack. For example check out
the bottom of these pictures. The Allocasias (at least I think that is what they are) are gigantic. Easily towering over anything I have seen around here. The
fence for reference is standard four foot. To the bottom right of the first picture I caught a glimpse of the rare B.G.E. at least he is rare in these photos.
Somehow I got so caught up in the largeness of the moment that I did not get a picture of Jose and us together. Seriously there is no magic to his plants.
He has just done what most of us are unwilling or unable to do. Regular feedings and irrigation when needed. No Voodoo, No secret mixes just good solid plant
management skills and discipline. Fertilizer is applied when needed not when he gets around to it. If you want results like these then get serious.

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

hydroid

Almost every day I get someone stopping in my drive and getting out and asking me about the plants, I offer to show them around and I get the biggest kick out of watching their faces, as soon as I open the gate they walk over and their jaw drops. The folks seem to be drawn in like a magnet walking and looking up. They want to know What is this? or What are you doing to your Plants? It's just amazing watching the folks.
Bo