Your region's historically grown varieties

Marc · 07-20-2005, 03:29 PM

Each subtropical/tropical region of the world has bananas that have been cultivated for years and have been handed down through generations. Here in Florida three varieties have been grown for over a century. They are 'Apple', 'Orinoco' and 'Dwarf Cavendish'. The 'Apple' is called lady finger by many Florida natives. I got mine from my maternal great grandfather's farm in Plant City, Florida when I was a young boy. 'Orinoco' is called horse banana here by locals. It was only eaten by hispanics after cooking. Many orange groves have them growing on their fringes. 'Dwarf Cavendish' was brought to Florida to start commercial production in Florida over a century ago. Freezes in Central Florida prevented the first attempts of mainland US production. I got my 'Dwarf Cavendish' from my paternal grandfather in South Miami as a boy. It has been in the last 25 years that the cultivar list available in Florida has snowballed.

JoeReal · 07-20-2005, 04:56 PM

The Apple Banana, is also known as La Tundan or Latondan, unless there are other synonyms, and it has been growing in the Philippines far earlier than the US. It could have a Malayan origin, as one of the major settlers of the Philippines came from Malaysia. It must have been brought into Florida by Spaniards, just my speculation.

PT DUffy · 07-10-2008, 10:10 AM

Here in the Florida Panhandle there has been a "Passalong" Banana that is ubiquitous in yards here. I've heard that it is a Cavandish but since no one I Know's ever got one to reach RIpening...who KNows?
I am goingto try some of the "tricks" mentioned here and in regional publications to get one to Fruit here in z8b(other than just being on a waiting list for 'Vente Cohol';>), as well as(at least) an FHIA-23...
Cheers,
Pat

lorax · 07-10-2008, 10:29 AM

Here in Ecuador, which is one of the Banana Republics, the dominant traditional banana is Cavendish; it used to be Gros Michel before the Panama disease wiped most of that species off the map.

Non-commercially, the traditional bananas for home-growth are Plantain, Orito, Jamaican Red, and the reamining Panama-resistant remains of Gros Michel, which we call "Seda."

We also grow Ensete ventricosum as boulevard trees in some cities.

Richard · 07-10-2008, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeReal

The Apple Banana, is also known as La Tundan or Latondan, unless there are other synonyms, and it has been growing in the Philippines far earlier than the US. It could have a Malayan origin, as one of the major settlers of the Philippines came from Malaysia. It must have been brought into Florida by Spaniards, just my speculation.

True, 1st making port in the Caribbean in 1529.

As Gabe has pointed out, the Banana name game becomes even more fun when the name travels without the banana. For example, researchers at Tamil Nadu have found that what is called Apple Banana in India is actually regular Mysore, while investigators in Cameroon have determined what is commonly called Apple Banana in Africa is synonymous with Manzano.

Marc · 07-10-2008, 03:52 PM

Wow! This is an old thread.

07-20-2005, 03:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Marc Marc's Photo Gallery Location: Naples, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 a Name: Marc Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 201 BananaBucks : 1,589 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Welcomes: 0	Your region's historically grown varieties Each subtropical/tropical region of the world has bananas that have been cultivated for years and have been handed down through generations. Here in Florida three varieties have been grown for over a century. They are 'Apple', 'Orinoco' and 'Dwarf Cavendish'. The 'Apple' is called lady finger by many Florida natives. I got mine from my maternal great grandfather's farm in Plant City, Florida when I was a young boy. 'Orinoco' is called horse banana here by locals. It was only eaten by hispanics after cooking. Many orange groves have them growing on their fringes. 'Dwarf Cavendish' was brought to Florida to start commercial production in Florida over a century ago. Freezes in Central Florida prevented the first attempts of mainland US production. I got my 'Dwarf Cavendish' from my paternal grandfather in South Miami as a boy. It has been in the last 25 years that the cultivar list available in Florida has snowballed. __________________ east of Naples, FL zone 10a warm humid sub tropical

07-10-2008, 10:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
PT DUffy Location: Fort Walton Beach, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Pat Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 721 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Your region's historically grown varieties Here in the Florida Panhandle there has been a "Passalong" Banana that is ubiquitous in yards here. I've heard that it is a Cavandish but since no one I Know's ever got one to reach RIpening...who KNows? I am goingto try some of the "tricks" mentioned here and in regional publications to get one to Fruit here in z8b(other than just being on a waiting list for 'Vente Cohol';>), as well as(at least) an FHIA-23... Cheers, Pat

07-10-2008, 10:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
lorax Banana Coloured lorax's Photo Gallery Location: Ecuador, South America Zone: 12/13 Tropical Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 432 BananaBucks : 810 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 44 Thanked 173 Times in 106 Posts Welcomes: 117	Re: Your region's historically grown varieties Here in Ecuador, which is one of the Banana Republics, the dominant traditional banana is Cavendish; it used to be Gros Michel before the Panama disease wiped most of that species off the map. Non-commercially, the traditional bananas for home-growth are Plantain, Orito, Jamaican Red, and the reamining Panama-resistant remains of Gros Michel, which we call "Seda." We also grow Ensete ventricosum as boulevard trees in some cities. __________________ I speak for the trees.

07-10-2008, 03:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Marc Marc's Photo Gallery Location: Naples, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 a Name: Marc Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 201 BananaBucks : 1,589 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Your region's historically grown varieties Wow! This is an old thread. __________________ east of Naples, FL zone 10a warm humid sub tropical

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07-20-2005, 04:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
JoeReal Senior Member JoeReal's Photo Gallery Location: Davis, California USDA zone 9 Find me on the map! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 905 BananaBucks : 16,258 Feedback: 1 / 100% Thanks: 19 Thanked 124 Times in 85 Posts Welcomes: 2	The Apple Banana, is also known as La Tundan or Latondan, unless there are other synonyms, and it has been growing in the Philippines far earlier than the US. It could have a Malayan origin, as one of the major settlers of the Philippines came from Malaysia. It must have been brought into Florida by Spaniards, just my speculation.

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