Jamie p

Well, I did it! I ordered a Gros Michel from the people in Thailand on eBay . They have perfect reviews . They are very good a communication answering all my questions in a timely manner. They are very friendly as well. Hopefully it wasn't a scam but we will find out. I let everyone know once it arrives ,what kind of condition its in. I WILL have a Gros Michel one way or another!

JP

Do they give you phyto certificates? You're braver than me, I wouldn't take the chance... Good luck.

Jamie p

Yes, they do give phyto certificates. I know what you mean. I'm just hoping the 100 percent feedback is real. I read most of the reviews and all were happy and most of them were for bananas ,so I thought well I'll try it.

JP

I was wondering, does it take import permits too or only phyto? Keep us informed, I'd like to know the development...

Jamie p

No problem. I'll keep you up to date for sure.

servatusprime

If you asked the right people on this forum, you could have been hooked up with a GM without having to purchase one from Thailand. I would try that route next time on future varieties if you can help it.

JP

We don't have many options here in Canada... You're lucky in the US, you can find just about anything.

Kat2

Sure but I wonder what other quite possibly rare varieties this vendor might sell? With all the issues people have getting what they ordered, I think Jamie was smart to test this seller with one members here can verify. Thanks for taking a chance and do keep us posted.

__________________

servatusprime

Valid point. I have been tempted to go the Thai - ebay route as well. But I didn't want to pay that much for a plant.

Jamie p

I do know the Gros Michel still grows over there and they have a 100 percent in positive reviews so I figure I can see if it works. Gros Michel is hard to come by these days. I do know they have hundreds of other types of plants as well.

geosulcata

My understanding is that banana plants cannot be imported into the U.S. Does anyone have information (APHIS web link or something) that says whether or not banana plant material can be imported? I would love to be able to import maqueno - but was told that no importations of banana plants were allowed due to the risk of disease importation.

Jamie p

From what I gather , as long as your under 12 plants your good to go as long as a phyto certificate is included. Lol its definitely a shot in the dark , but to me the GM is worth it.

geosulcata

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_heal...-1circular.pdf
Looks like all mailed plants need a permit and have to be sent to a USDA inspection port of entry location (Miami, etc) using the green/yellow forms. The 12 plant rule is for non restricted plants in luggage that is inspected at a USDA port of entry.

JP

That's what I thought. Just like here.

chong

Bananas can be imported into the US. I've brought corms from the Philippines before. The only requirement is that the corm or plant is free of any soil or chemicals. If sent by mail or carrier, you will need a plant import permit which is easy to obtain from the USDA. If carried with luggage on a return trip from an approved country and a phytosanitary certificate from the country, no permit is necessary if it is less than a certain number of plants (not sure of the number anymore, 12 maybe). I will try to find my import documents and post a copy here.

Also, there is a nursery South near Hilo, HI that can ship the standard size Gros Michele. They do not have the dwarf variety. No need to go overboard and order from out of the country and go through the risks, if not hassle, just for one or a few from abroad.

Maqueño banana is listed with the Popo'ulu as part of the Maoli-Popo'ulu subgroup of cooking bananas domesticated in the Pacific region. I have seen a picture of this banana from an Ecuadorian lady who was commenting on a recipe from her grandmother that uses this banana, but the photo showed bananas that looked like a cross between cavendish and a plantain, and not like the Popo'ulu nor the Hua Moa (which I suspect are the same). They were a little bit more slender and longer than the Saba. The lady touts the Maqueño as the best cooking banana in the world, but coming from the Philippines I would say that the best is the Saba. Do you have a source from Ecuador for the Maqueño?

Chong

geosulcata

When we lived in Ecuador, we planted maquenos in our backyard and they did great. This is great news about importation! I will email the landlord and the current renters to see if the plant is still there. Maqueno is the best cooking banana! Amazing texture and flavor - especially when baked. Green, it makes great chifles.

Thank you so much for the information!! We had been told otherwise, so this is very encouraging. I have been wanting to go back to Ecuador for a while, but knowing we can bring back maqueno will push our plans forward more quickly. So, no permit is needed, but a phyto will be needed from Ecuador - any idea who to contact about getting a phyto? We lived on the edge of the jungle and our friends would not know about how to go about that.

JP

Try getting in touch with them;

Sanidad Vegetal | Agrocalidad

If it works, think of me!!! I would love some platanos and it's hard to get here!

dekkard

I checked out the ad on Ebay. The Thai people seem legitimate enough inasmuch as their presence was as professional as can be expected for Ebay. I think you did the right thing in purchasing from them. The money is not that much for a quality plant you really want. I hope it works out well for you. If it does, I will order one. I too have long wanted to find a reliable source for the GM. Good luck, and I salute your resolve. My "white whale" of a tropical plant is the elusive junglesop.

dekkard

So . . . does anyone have the name of that nursery south of Hilo? Maybe some contact info? Thanks. BTW, Hilo was my favorite town on the big island.

chong

You're very welcome. In most countries, they have a Bureau or Department of Agriculture so this is where you would obtain the phyto certificate. It will be a subgroup of that large bureau or department, e.g., Bureau of Plant Industry, Agricultural Extension Office, etc. You might try this link: Programas / Servicios | Ministerio de Agricultura, GanaderÃ*a, Acuacultura y Pesca

I would have delved further but my Spanish is not so good anymore since I have not been reading Spanish for a very long time. But read the button in the link regarding Import Permits into Ecuador. So, I would presume that they (that office) can steer to the proper department for obtaining a phytosanitary certificate. All that really is is that the bureau (representing the country of origin) has inspected the plant and has confirmed the plant to be free of any pests or diseases. The removal of any soil is your responsibility. So, it will be best, if you can thoroughly clean the corm of the soil so that any "imperfections" can be easily seen, and they can advice you what will be acceptable otherwise.