Hey Group
I am an experienced gardener, but am just getting started with bananas. I have read everything I can find and still have two questions:
1. If you only had room for one which is the best Cavendish type to plant in Sarasota, Florida (9A/9B)? I'm interested primarily in grocery store taste/size, reliable fruiting & cold hardiness. I have already been told that the commercial standards Gran Nain/Gros Michel do not fruit or do well here.
I think I have narrowed down to Williams, Vallery or Giant Cavendish which should be slightly more hardy than Gran Nain/Gros Michel. I realize the differences beteen these Cavendish types may be slight or non-existent, but I still need some help in choosing one. Other Cavendish/Grocery Store type bananas suggestions/recommendations are welcome. I tend to like Full-Flavored Banana's with old fashioned fresh banana taste. Moist, creamy, slightly firm, with "normal/traditional" sweetness. Some lady fingers are a little sweeter/softer than I prefer.
2. Of all the different FHIA varieties which comes closest to a Cavendish/Grocery Store/Commercial Bananas in size & taste that should do well in Sarasota, Florida (9A/9B)? I live in a sub-division about 10 miles from the Gulf of Mexico if that helps. We get one or more light night frosts about every 1-2 years and hard freezes about every 5-10 years (aproximately).
Thanks for reading & for your help.
Steve
Sarasota, Florida
