SlipperySlope

Being new to bananas (and Zone 8a/Central MS), I'm trying to get some ideas of what varieties I might be able to plant in ground/containers. Some general preferences:
- Possibility of getting fruit from them
- Preferably something that can overwinter in 8a (or would not be set back too far by moving a container inside for the winter).
- Ease of acquisition (and resilience to newbie mistakes)
- Attractive/unusual foliage

What are your suggestions? (Links to other threads appreciated. Bonus points if you point me to where I might acquire your suggested variety.)

hydroid

I would recommend the local Orinoco as a beginner plant. they are just about bullet proof once you get them started and they're easy to come by. I would also consider Saba, and Kandrian, which are actually plantains. I would put a heavy mulch and winterize if possible. Hope this helps.

Jose263

Be careful - Hydriod is a nana-enabler - he started me on my nana addiction with a free pup several years ago.
Seriously, Orinoco is a great starter nana - very cold hardy and robust but probably not suited for a pot unless you have a forklift. The namwahs are also good choices. In your zone they would require serious winterizing in order to produce a crop.
Good luck - I you are in Biloxi , I have T. and D. namwahs and orinoco.

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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

Yeah those addictions start out little but first thing ya know, they'll have to cut you outta yor house with chain saws....ha ha.

SlipperySlope

Orinoco seems to have received a number of recommendations. Any thoughts/comments on Orinoco vs. Dwarf Orinoco? My wife expressed concern with a plant that might get taller than our one-story home. (Although she did agree that I can plant one in the ground and have a second in a container that I could move into the house or workshop for the winter. )

I think we're going to be down around Biloxi for Memorial Day weekend, but I'll have a rented minivan full of in-laws. I'm not sure how they'd feel about being crowded in with a banana plant or two.

Abnshrek

It's all about you want the banana's for.. I have namwahs, caligolds, a Saba in ark.. No protection required for winter to come back.. On the same plain as you I have SH 3640 coming back w/o protection all winter along w/ namwah, manzano, cg's, d. Namwah, Saba, hoa moa, Pisang raja, and Saba. Braz & fhia-03 always take longer.. Hope this helps..

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I'm a Nannerhead :^)

jbyrd88888

Good to hear from you Abnshrek! I can't wait to see some photos from you this year!!

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Abnshrek

Stuck veinte Cohol corm in garage in pot in the dark for the winter, and had 2 risers on it.. What I forgot to mention earlier is that raja puri is a spring beast once established in zone.

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I'm a Nannerhead :^)

alemily

Tall Namawh...aka "ice cream" if you can find a good-sized pup. If you can get the stem big enough before it stops growing around November-ish, it usually can survive a hard freeze and fruit the following year (mind is leafing out after surviving this past winter of a week barely above 20F)

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Fruting: Pisang Awak, Rajapuri, Dwarf Brazilian, Gros Michel, Dwarf Red, FHIA-1 'Goldfinger', Veinte Cohol, FHIA-3 'Sweetheart'
Ornamental/Species: M. bauensis, M. velutina, M. "Milky Way", M. "African Red"