john_ny

I was looking at the banana forum on GW, and saw this:

"Regarding the size of the pup, all they said was that they harvested 'field-grown suckers' late in the Fall, overwintered them in a greenhouse, then planted them out in late April/early May. The pups had an average height of 2.5 feet when set out. They were starting to harvest bananas in October of that growing season"

This was about a cultivar called Veinte Cohol. Has anyone ever heard of/ had experience with this?

There's quite a bit about it on Google.

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John

austinl01

John,

I couldn't find much on Veinte Cohol when I was searching. All I know is that this banana was featured in Southeastern Palms, a publication by the Southeastern Palm Society (www.sepalms.org). That's where the quote came from.

I bought mine from Going Bananas Nursery, and it will be shipped in April. I'll report my findings this year on it. You're supposed to get ripe bananas by October with a small pup, according to the author's evaluation. We'll see if I can get some nanners this year.

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Austin
Arkansas River Valley

Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F
Typical Low Each Winter: 13-15°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

bencelest

I am beginning to be interested getting one. So far I can't find any more info on this plant.

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Banana Nut

austinl01

This is the best source of information on the internet. From Going-Bananas: "VIENTE COHOL - A dessert variety originating in the Philippine area and having green pseudostem with some brown patches. The small plump fruit (3-4") are soft and sweet. A real cutie. Height about 10 ft."

__________________
Austin
Arkansas River Valley

Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F
Typical Low Each Winter: 13-15°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

bencelest

You set out the pup and plant it on April and harvest the fruit in November?
That is only 8 months from planting to harvest.
That is way too fast don't you think? Is it believable?

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Banana Nut

john_ny

I don't know, but people in St. Lucia, who grew Gros Michelle (sp?) said to me , many years ago, (1980) that they could plant the pups, and harvest in about 9-10 months.

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John

bencelest

It is believable in other varieties like Joe Real said if I am not mistaken, the senorita banana from the Philippines will do just that- 8 months from a pup to harvest. But he's been trying to get one but no luck.
But viente cohol came from the Philippines also and it could be just another name for it.
I just email Going Bananas for clarification.
viente cohol means twenty snails in Engiish.

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Banana Nut

chong

Check out these links that have photos of the Veinte Cohol and Kandarian, both native Philippine bananas.
http://tfphotos.ifas.ufl.edu/022401.HTM
http://tfphotos.ifas.ufl.edu/121500.htm

Veinte fruits appears to be a plump version of the M. Señorita. It is described as being 10' to 12' in height and the fruits 3" in length. The M. Señorita is normally no taller than 9' in the Philippines, as I recall. And the fruits are skinnier and longer than what shown in the photos of the M. Veinte Cohol. The thin skin shown in the photos is exactly as the M. Señorita. I would guess that they are the same plant. The diference in the plants and fruits may be the result of geographic and climatic conditions. The fact that they have the same growing/fruiting schedules is supportive of this assumption.

bencelest

Thanks Chong for the clarification.
It makes the viente cohol as one of my next lists to buy.
I just got me a kandrian a week ago. Thanks Harvey for getting one for me.

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Banana Nut

austinl01

Researchers at Armstrong Atlantic State Univ and Univ. of GA have been working with this plant and recently wrote an article about it.

It is important to point out they started with 2.5 foot pups to begin the season. There is no reason to doubt that Veinte Cohol can't flower and fruit in one season because all work that's been done is scientific and valid.

I can't wait to try it myself this year! I have a pup coming in April.

__________________
Austin
Arkansas River Valley

Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F
Typical Low Each Winter: 13-15°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

Ahava

Ok now I want one. >.<. *looks at wallet* plants make me broke ^_-

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Banana Student For Life Live the dream ~

austinl01

Does anyone know how Veinte Cohol tastes? Who's all getting one this spring to try?

__________________
Austin
Arkansas River Valley

Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F
Typical Low Each Winter: 13-15°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

D_&_T

like to keep informed about this, might be able to grow here with protection in fall

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Dan & Tara
in need of greenhouse

austinl01

Here is a link to Going Bananas with a nice picture of the fruit of Viente Cohol.

http://www.going-bananas.com/bananap...VIENTE%20COHOL

__________________
Austin
Arkansas River Valley

Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F
Typical Low Each Winter: 13-15°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

chong

If there are any Asian Grocery stores in your area, you may find them there. They are sold as "Baby Bananas" under Chiquita, Dole, Del Monte, or some other generic brands. They cost four or five times more than the regular bananas though. I can even find them occasionally at the Safeway store near us. The next time we get some, I'll get a photo and post it here.

Oh, and it tastes great! ! ! You can't eat just one, though. It's probably a fourth, or a third, of a regular banana in bulk.

bencelest

Chong:
We have a farmer's market here that sells baby bananas but then the label says manzano . Are they the same thing?

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Banana Nut

chong

I believe they are the same as our Señorita. Only, they are picked too green for transport. The Manzanos that I had in HI, are somewhat tart compared to the Señorita. And they (Manzano) are almost twice as long. Also, Señoritas have a lot thiner skin than Manzano, and have a smell closer to caramel than apple.

Check out the article below:
In season . . . baby bananas | www.azstarnet.com ®

The author says that it "tastes pretty much like its larger brethren". I totally disagree, unless the ones in their area are stunted fruits from the same plants. But the fact that the ones we get here have very thin skin, light yellow golden color pulp with a firm custard texture. One thing they caution is that you should not pick a totally green bunch since the will not ripen evenly. This would confirm my suspicion that the one they get in their area are not ripe enough to be picked to begin with.

Another thing they said was they are manzano, burro, or pisang mas varieties. Now, i don't know if these are eve the same variety. Here is a link to photos of Pisang Mas banana from Indonesia:
Pisang Mas - ..:: Zul + Sue = Darwisy ::.. - Fotopages.com

Now, doesn't that remind you of Señorita? You can almost taste it, can't you?

bigdog

I emailed Chiquita some time back, and she told me that their "mini bananas" are the 'Pisang Mas' cultivar.

austinl01