Tropical addiction
 

This is starting to become an addiction. I just counted and realized that I have 26 different bananas in my yard. I also have maybe 7 - 8 different cannas, guavas, 4 pineapples, kiwi, papaya, mangos and a whole host of other things tropical. I should just move to the tropics instead of trying to re-create it all here.

Re: Tropical addiction
 

show some pictures

Re: Tropical addiction
 

Join the club! Plenty of addicts here!

Re: Tropical addiction
 

At least you live in California. Try it with a zone 7a backyard!

Re: Tropical addiction
 

I know, I suffer from the same affliction! wife is starting to get a little pissed.

Stopped at a nursery again today that had larger sized windmill palms. Couple of weeks ago they were $84.00 and in 5 gallon buckets. Today when I stopped all tropicals were 50% off, so bought one...but have to pick it up tomorrow when I could bring my truck. Hoping I can sweet talk the wife into letting me get the other one as well.

Will post pics tomorrow when I get it(them?) home.

Re: Tropical addiction
 

My wife gets pissed about it all the time. She can't see the difference from one banana to the next and thinks I should be working on the inside of the house not so much in the gardens. I have my online plant purchases shipped to my office rather than the home. She does enjoy the tropical look of the yard and pool though.

Re: Tropical addiction
 

I agree with Howard. Zone 10 for me "is" just about there!
The color and the variety of the tropical plants are so inviting and add such a hint of vacation etc. to the back yard. and there is just something about that banana that makes me want to work an extra hour or two around sunset!
I guess it helps to add passion to the daily grind!
Happy Bananas to all!

Re: Tropical addiction
 

Quote: "I should just move to the tropics instead of trying to re-create it all here."

Believe me, based on my own experience, moving to the tropics is not the cure. Its sort of like saying, "I'm just going to move into the bar to be closer to my hobby." :nanadrink:

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I can't see how moving closer to the tropics is like moving closer to a bar. I like my drink as much as the next guy but, as drunk as I can get on the plants and their allure, they never lie or distort!
I can see getting carried away, But not like with alcohol!
Happy Bananaing!

Re: Tropical addiction
 

And boy have you gotten carried away!

Re: Tropical addiction
 

Where ever you are you will want to push the zone. When you get to the tropics you'll find that many plants can't handle the heat and humidity or someone forgot to mention that cute little tropical is an invasive monster requiring your complete attention. I have several plants that are really beautiful when they bloom for about three weeks. The rest of the time they look bad. Needless to say they are on my replace list.

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Are we ever fully satisfied? I live in Santa Barbara and I'm on the Big Island of Hawaii right now looking at property. Santa Barbara is too cold for me! Im tired of loosing plants to the cold. Moving to the Kona area June 2012.

Re: Tropical addiction
 

Peter, it does sort of just sneak up on you. I realized that I have about 40 bananas of about 25 varieties in my tiny yard. A year ago when we bought our place, I was going to xeriscape and maybe plant a few citrus. Then my buddy gave me a banana plant and told me that he only waters a little, once a week, and the floodgate opened. It's been fun and seriously addicting.

Of course we are never satisfied -- that is the human condition!

Re: Tropical addiction
 

thats normal you you californians us northerns have this problem in winter!! the house is full. my parenyts say having so many plants is tacky.. well i say you feel like your in the rainforrest! the only way your gettin rid of them is a one way ticket to california ! or fdlorida hehehe:D your pretty much in the tropics. if you guys are in zone 9 or 10 luckyy youuuuu. i would die to be there.

Re: Tropical addiction
 

Don't die, just move! Life is full of choices!

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Weird, reading this posts makes me wondering, do we all have the same wife????

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Now THATS funny!^^^^^^^

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Nah, nyet, negative, Ante!!

I'm quite sure that my wife is encouraging me to plant more and more bananas, since it helps so much with increasing her shopping budget!

Re: Tropical addiction
 

Hmm, U think she would like to explain few things to my wife?

Re: Tropical addiction
 

My ex would never understand; one of the many reasons she's now my ex!