Upham Giant?
 

I remember reading an article in the last issue or so of the journal of the Southeastern Palm Society that David Francko has developed a basjoo sport that was more cold hardy and much larger than the original. Anyone have any more info on this?

Re: Upham Giant?
 

Howard, I saw that article also. I am extremely skeptical about it, to say the least. Hard for me to be critical though, since I haven't seen the banana in person, but to me it didn't sound like anything other than a normal Musa basjoo. I hope I'm wrong.

Re: Upham Giant?
 

I dug out the issue with the article, and have sent an e-mail to the listed contact for further info. Also, there is an associated report (see link below) for a MS degree by a research associate at the University (Miami in Ohio), that includes a plant booklet describing the plants the University-formed company would sell. It's interesting, but apparently they only sell to the Ohio tri-state area. I'll post when I hear further.

www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?miami1132781822

Re: Upham Giant?
 

I heard from the contact person listed in the article. He said they are really now just gearing up, so will be selling them next spring. He said he'll contact me then.:2140:

Re: Upham Giant?
 

Don't know if this helps but I've seen a massive Basjoo only once in the UK the mat was about 25 feet tall. I believe it was a normal Basjoo in perfect conditions not a special hybrid. I was on a Garden tour at the time and the gardener said it had always grown that tall and was just a Basjoo as far as he knew. It was in an open sheltered garden with very good well rotted compost and in soil that had been skillfully inproved for many years.I'm not sure if the gardener used Winter protection or not.
Later
Steve