Originally Posted by Zacarias

Chong, I'm originally from the Seattle are and will move back there next year likely. I was wondering if you have ever had one of your orinocos or CA gold bloom there?

Zach

Originally Posted by chong

qwkslver, Welcome again!

I don't know what part of the state you're in, but SC is either Zone 7 to the NW, or Zone 8 to the SW. In any case, those plants that you planted won't make it outside in the yard without generous protection. I'm in Zone 8b (allegedly) in Seattle, WA and I've been growing several banana varieties that I thought would do well outside with some protection, i.e., visqueen over the plants in the winter, or a cold greenhouse. But even those were pretty difficult so far. If you don't mind seeded varieties, you might try planting M. Basjoo and Mussella Lasiocarpa. I've seen pictures of them in snow. Though, personally, I give them some minimal protection.

Along the same lines, with a little extra protection, in my experience, D. Orinoco, CA Gold, and TX Star would be great plants to plant outside, if you want seedless fruit.

My results have fluctuated over the years, as I get closer and closer to some varieties that have survived despite the varying temperatures and sunlight conditions in our area. In the mid 90s, I had 2 Red Abyssinian bananas that survived several winters, where they even got snowed in, without a scratch. They grew even taller the following summers. Then one winter, even though we did not have much freezing weather, I noticed one of them was tilting. When I touched the plant to check on it, it fell and exposed a rotting corm. Lesson learned: Do not let the root of you banana be soaking in water in the cold weather. So happened that during that time, Seattle experienced daily rain for almost 2 months, stopped a day, then rain again for several weeks. And the temperature was around 34°F! Those plants lasted me 4 or 5 years. Ironically, they were from Ty Ty Nursery ( they were much milder then). I tried to buy replacements but they didn't want to sell any plants to WA state residents, due to some kind of restrictions or something.

In the winter of 2006, 98% of my plants survived our temperatures that dipped into the single digits, even when we lost power for 7 days and 6 nights, when it was 5° - 6°. Last winter, all my Super Dwarf Cavendish perished. So did 5 Dwarf Brazilians (2 sword pups & 3 TC), my 2 remaining Dwarf Niños, Ice Cream, Goldfinger, 2 Raja Puri, 2 Zebrinas and several others. What remained were CA Gold, Thonsonii, Balbisiana - all green! Also, but not so green are a dozen D. Orinocos that I've had from TC from Agristarts. When the sun shows up in Seattle, I'll be having a memorial service for my fallen friends.

I just got several bananas from eBay. I got my CA Gold, 1 D Barazilian, and 1 Zebrina from my esteemed friend, Mr. Joe R. My D. Orinocos and D. Niños are from Agristarts. Thomsonii and Balbisiana from our Moderator Gabe.

When I finish my hot section of my greenhouse, I'll be on the hunt for a Ae'Ae. Well, actually, I already know where I'm gonna get them. Right now, I'm ordering some bananas from Mr. Ben Poirier in San Diego.

Originally Posted by Richard

Billabong, that's a great industry position to be in.

Originally Posted by frankthetank

billabong-

My nephew plays for the Cornhuskers (baseball). He's a freshman.

Originally Posted by pitangadiego

There is no excuse for still having grass. I haven't mowed in 20 years. With all that space, I could plant another 100 bananas.

Originally Posted by pitangadiego

There is no excuse for still having grass. I haven't mowed in 20 years. With all that space, I could plant another 100 bananas.

Originally Posted by Sharon Moore

I only seem to know the common names so I'll have to learn the proper ones....this week I have planted 2 caster beans; several cannas; pampas grass; numerous vines; 5 hibiscus.......I'm trying to turn our backyards into the tropics. Last week I planted several dept store bananas, but I've ordered some cold hardy ones I'm anxious to receive.

Originally Posted by billabong

It sure is! Plus my partner and I are well known throughout the commercial industry so there is no shortage of business nor is there much competition - between the two of us we have about 50 years of academic/research (both floriculture & horticulture), consulting, and TC experience.