source for banana plants in Canada

Kevin · 01-16-2010, 01:53 AM

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

lorax · 01-16-2010, 10:38 AM

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.

CookieCows · 01-16-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorax

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.

And so Lorax packed her bags and moved to Ecuador

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!

lorax · 01-16-2010, 10:54 AM

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.

CookieCows · 01-16-2010, 11:00 AM

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!

Kevin · 01-16-2010, 11:46 AM

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.

lorax · 01-16-2010, 05:42 PM

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.

Kevin · 01-16-2010, 10:54 PM

Really?! Thanks!

Kevin · 01-16-2010, 11:13 PM

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

kaczercat · 01-17-2010, 01:18 AM

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!

jack hagenaars · 01-17-2010, 12:52 PM

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

Kevin · 01-17-2010, 06:44 PM

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!

jack hagenaars · 01-20-2010, 06:20 PM

your wlecome...enjoy!

Kevin · 01-20-2010, 11:51 PM

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.

jack hagenaars · 01-21-2010, 05:44 PM

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

Kevin · 01-22-2010, 04:43 PM

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).

Kevin · 01-22-2010, 04:45 PM

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.

zoloff · 01-22-2010, 06:20 PM

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

Kevin · 01-22-2010, 09:22 PM

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.

jack hagenaars · 01-23-2010, 12:51 PM

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

01-16-2010, 01:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	source for banana plants in Canada Does someone know of a good source for banana plants in Canada?

01-16-2010, 10:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
lorax Banned lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 13 / Köppen-Geiger BSh Name: Lorax Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,532 BananaBucks : 292,362 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 742 Times Was Thanked 3,039 Times in 1,188 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 464 Times	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.

01-16-2010, 10:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
lorax Banned lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 13 / Köppen-Geiger BSh Name: Lorax Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,532 BananaBucks : 292,362 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 742 Times Was Thanked 3,039 Times in 1,188 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 464 Times	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.

01-16-2010, 11:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
CookieCows Member CookieCows's Photo Gallery Location: Kentucky Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Deb Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,182 BananaBucks : 70,085 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,347 Times Was Thanked 696 Times in 393 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 159 Times	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! __________________

01-16-2010, 11:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	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.

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01-16-2010, 05:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
lorax Banned lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 13 / Köppen-Geiger BSh Name: Lorax Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,532 BananaBucks : 292,362 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 742 Times Was Thanked 3,039 Times in 1,188 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 464 Times	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.

01-16-2010, 10:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: source for banana plants in Canada Really?! Thanks!

01-16-2010, 11:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	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.

01-17-2010, 01:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
kaczercat kaczercat's Photo Gallery Location: Southern ON Find me on the map! Zone: 5b 9b Name: Matt Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,874 BananaBucks : 214,599 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,116 Times Was Thanked 2,110 Times in 749 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 11 Times	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! __________________ Matt

01-17-2010, 12:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
jack hagenaars jack hagenaars's Photo Gallery Location: Victoria,British Columbia Find me on the map! Zone: 8 a/b Name: Jack Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 236 BananaBucks : 48,968 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 137 Times in 83 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: source for banana plants in Canada Tropic to tropic sells exotics and so does hawaiian tropics in vancouver.

01-17-2010, 06:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	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!

01-20-2010, 06:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
jack hagenaars jack hagenaars's Photo Gallery Location: Victoria,British Columbia Find me on the map! Zone: 8 a/b Name: Jack Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 236 BananaBucks : 48,968 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 137 Times in 83 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: source for banana plants in Canada your wlecome...enjoy!

01-20-2010, 11:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	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.

01-21-2010, 05:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
jack hagenaars jack hagenaars's Photo Gallery Location: Victoria,British Columbia Find me on the map! Zone: 8 a/b Name: Jack Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 236 BananaBucks : 48,968 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 137 Times in 83 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: source for banana plants in Canada I did see some bananas at home depot and walmart last summer...did you try them?

01-22-2010, 04:43 PM	#16 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	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).

01-22-2010, 04:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	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.

01-22-2010, 06:20 PM	#18 (permalink)
zoloff zoloff's Photo Gallery Location: Burford Ontario Canada Zone: 5 Name: les Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 750 BananaBucks : 23,234 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 41 Times Was Thanked 168 Times in 25 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	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 __________________ Last edited by zoloff : 01-22-2010 at 09:13 PM.

01-22-2010, 09:22 PM	#19 (permalink)
Kevin Location: Winnipeg, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: 2b Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 184 BananaBucks : 130,779 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 31 Times Was Thanked 100 Times in 76 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	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.

01-23-2010, 12:51 PM	#20 (permalink)
jack hagenaars jack hagenaars's Photo Gallery Location: Victoria,British Columbia Find me on the map! Zone: 8 a/b Name: Jack Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 236 BananaBucks : 48,968 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 137 Times in 83 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	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....

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