Extreme Bananas

After dabbling in daylily growing and hybridization, I decided that I needed something different. I had raised a hundred agaves, but they didn't like the humidity outside in the summer (except for Agave americana), or the dreary winters indoors. I am down to four small ones. And I grew bromeliads in Ketchikan, Alaska, where the sun was seldom seen. I made good use of high intensity grow lights.

You don't see many bananas in Kentucky. There are some big summertime clumps, either spring/summer transplants from winter storage, or hardy "Basjoo". And there are the single annual plantings. I read that tropicals are getting very popular, regardless of where you live. So maybe there will be a banana revival.

I have had a dozen Ebun musak's for 4 years but do not fertilize or water them enough. So they are still under 4 feet. I would dig them in the fall and store them in the basement, or grow them as houseplants. Then I searched the web about banana culture and got excited. A leaf a week seems to be the norm. I have the extremely small "Truly Tiny", and have ordered the extremely colorful "Siam Ruby" and the extremely hardy "Basjoo". So this could be another exciting adventure for me. After spending $200 to $300 on daylilies, it wouldn't bother me to get a pricey "Ae Ae". It is a cool-looking banana. But according to reports, it is a touchy plant. That is the trouble with some variegated plants. It would have to be a pot plant here. I don't think it would like getting dug up every fall. Does anyone in the colder climates have "Ae Ae"?

It looks like there are a lot of banana experts on this forum. Whenever I have any questions, I will know where to come.

Hello to all.

Ed

CookieCows

I have huge ae ae envy and would love to have one also but am going to wait until they aren't so scarce or until I have a big, tall, heated, wonderful green house. I think they'll become less scarce before that green house becomes a reality.

Deb

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damaclese

Cookie havint you hear Thou Shalt not Covit they Nabors Ae AE LOL i think thats comandment nuber 3!!!!!ROFLAO

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Chironex

If there is a way to TC these, I will be doing it soon after. Hope to get some AeAe pups this summer, then I can try some things in TC.

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Scot

JCDerrick

Welcome to the .org Ed.

It's good to know we all obsess over the Ae-Ae. I didn't think much of them until I saw one in person in HI. Didn't take long before I had my wife taking a photo of me with it. And she thinks that's weird... It's on the 'to-acquire' list when I'm in a warmer place.

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Malama 'Aina



Normal Jan. Low: 34°F, Normal Jul High: 92°F
Coldest: 16-20°F, Warmest: 98-103°F
Annual Precip: 48 inches

CookieCows

I can't help it Pauly!! I'm a sinner!!!!!

JcDerrick at first I cracked up laughing reading your post and then I thought a minute and laughed even harder because I've never seen one in person and I know I'd have a picture taken standing next to one too!

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Tog Tan

Yo Ed, this dah place to go bananas! Hope you will 'naner up the un-banana situation of Kentucky when the 'naner fever hits you hard. All the best!

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

Bob

Welcome Extreme Bananas, you must feel like your in the tropics after Ketchikan! You're in the right place for banana info. You may want to hold off for just a bit getting the Ae Ae, in my opinion. After collecting a few dozen banana plants ,this was the only one I've had die off so far(probably try again in spring. Good luck.

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mskitty38583

welcome from the volunteer state......i volunteer to grow an nana i can!. i live in sparta, tn and would like to give you a late welcome!!!!!! and ae ae envy is a great big problem with us here, we turn into little green monsters when someone mentions an ae ae..............me want ae ae!!!!

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