source for banana plants in Canada
 

Does someone know of a good source for banana plants in Canada?

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Actually in Canada? There really isn't anybody who specialises, especially if you want fruiting varieties. Sometimes there are ornamentals (basjoo, zebrina, velutina) available in the garden centers of the big-box stores - I've purchased basjoo and velutina at Rona before - but it's not a sure thing by any stretch.

Agristarts will ship to you, though.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

And so Lorax packed her bags and moved to Ecuador :ha: I for one am green with envy!

I have to admit that I felt bad when I saw what zone you are in and I complain about zone6/7. But boy with some lighting and a big pot miracles can happen!

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Jeez, Deb, you know the invitation's open!

I was in Zone 2a/2b if it freaks you out any worse - Edmonton was a winter heckhole, and Winterpeg is not much better.

So, although Agristarts will ship to you, my real reccomendation is to move to the tropics.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

I know! I've got to work on the spanish lessons and then plan a vacation!

Kevin are you planning on keeping bananas in pots in the house? I'm seeing sucess stories on potted nanas!

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

To be more specific, I don't care if they are fruiting kinds or not, I just want to find a source. The lower mainland of B.C. is a good climate for bananas, so they must get them from somewhere. The one I'm really looking for is Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'. I do plan on growing them all in pots, indoors for the winter, and then planting them outside in summer. My Dwarf Orinoco is doing very well inside this winter. Unfortunately, I won't have room for too many inside - they get big! There is one nursery near where I live that has about 4 different cultivars for sale - that is where I got mine - but 4 is a very small selection of the hundreds that are out there. They have Siam Ruby, Rajapuri and I'm not sure of the others. I don't always trust the big-box stores, or even the garden centres, because they often get the names wrong. Most of the time, these places place orders with companies in Florida or wherever, and they just send a bulk shipment of 'tropicals'. Not much help if someone wants a correctly named plant.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Hollyberry Lady, who is also on this forum, may have a spare 'Maurelii' - not sure if she's willing to part with it though. You'd have to ask her.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Really?! Thanks!

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

How can I contact her? It's not working. Hollyberry Lady - send me a message if you see this.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Hey Kevin i know you can buy edible nanners at homedepot. DC thats the only edible one i have seen so fact. In Vancouver, actually delta bc there is a place i didnt go when i was visiting vancouver but if i find the link i'll post it here. They have every kind of nanner. I brought a Maurelii back from there but sadly it died a few months ago. good luck with your nanner hunting!

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Tropic to tropic sells exotics and so does hawaiian tropics in vancouver.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Thanks! I've never heard of Tropics to Tropics, but have heard of Hawaiian Botanicals. I haven't checked their site recently, so wasn't aware they had bananas. Thanks a bunch!

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

your wlecome...enjoy!

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Well, it looks like Hawaiian Botanicals is no longer selling bananas (I e-mailed them and they will stop selling this spring). The other place is good, but shipping is a killer! So, unless anyone else has other sources for any type of banana in Canada, please let me know. I'll have to bug the nursery here where I got my Dwarf Orinoco, to get others in.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

I did see some bananas at home depot and walmart last summer...did you try them?

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

I don't think I've ever seen bananas at big box strores here - we often don't get the cool stuff that larger centres get. Even if we did, the chances that it would be correctly labelled are almost nil (speaking from experience of buying orchids - bananas many be different).

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

Is Tropic to Tropic still in business? It looks like they haven't updated thier web site since 2007, and I sent them an e-mail with no reply.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

You can get banana seeds in canada from mckenzie seeds (1800-6656340) Kevin it looks like you live in winnipeg they are in brandon phone in and talk to Cathy in customer service and you can order them from her and maybe pick them up they have musa ensete (ensete ventricosum) I have one that I started 3 yrs ago from their seeds and it is about 20 ft tall now you can see it in my gallery (zoloff) good luck, I have about 700 seeds if that does not work for you,I also have about 70 small ensete v. in 1 gl pots

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

I can't seem to find them on their web site. I haven't tried to phone. If you have seeds, that might be the easiest. How much do you want for them? PM or e-mail me and we can talk.

Re: source for banana plants in Canada
 

tropic to tropic is still in business.....its a small operation,but he lots of cool stuff...be patient...you will hear from him....