25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

I must have at least 8-10 different varieties of bananas growing, but my favorite are these huge ones. Probably at least 25-30' tall now. I planted them in July 06 and they have bloomed 9/07, even though we had a hard freeze this past winter (it got down in the 20s, killed some of my palms). These bananas were cut back to the ground in December 06 and started coming back out in March 07 and have multiplied like crazy. The trunk diameter is probably about 12 inches now and were at least that big or bigger last winter when I had to cut them at the ground. Now we have fruit on them and I have no idea what kind they are. I bought them from a local nursery where the lady didn't speak much english, so she wasn't much help in identifying them.

Other details... I planted them in a slightly elevated bed, covered by several inches of mulch and mixed in some sand in the soil where they are planted. I have never fertilized them, but they may have got some fertilizer from the palm or hibiscus near by. We have had an unusual amount of rain this spring and summer.. we normally get 36 inches per year, but we have had more than that just in May and June, then it continued to flood in July and August thus giving us milder weather than usual.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

welcome to our group!

looks like you got some massive 'Orinoco', never seen them quite that tall but growing conditions can change a lot of "standard" things.

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Cool, thanks so much! I love your site, there's so much here. I wish I knew more so that I could contribute.

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Even if you don't know much about them, posting pictures of your banana plants is something everybody can appreciate!

Welcome aboard!

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Good lookin plants!! ook like Orinoco's to me. Media Hound just I.D.'d some for me.:2706:

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Welcome to the forum I’m just a newbie here. I do live right down the road from you though. Glad to here you’ve had luck actually growing bananas in Central Texas. :2758:

Dean

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Well like I said.. I probably have 8-10 different kinds of bananas, but these are the only ones that actually have fruit. This one in particular has multiplied like crazy, and the other ones, maybe half have multiplied a little and the other half has not. I originally purchased 3 of these big ones, and I probably have at least two dozen or so now. Check out Whittlesey in RR off of I35.

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Thanks for the lead I'll have to swing by there and check them out.

Dean

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Wow! Those are totally awesome. I love big banana plants. Would you possibly consider giving me one of these amazing plants? It would be a great addition to my newly started collection.

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

If you guys want a huge banana plant, look into Musa 'Saba'.

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

I'm getting the Saba tomarrow. I can't wait.:2197:

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Saba in the wiki:
http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Musa_Saba

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

those are great pics

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

I have a Saba but it is still a baby. MAybe next year I will be looking up at her in amazement, instead of looking down.

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

what is the growth rate of the Saba?:weightliftingnaner:

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

I got my plants A Saba,mysore,pisang raja, and lucatan this is adition to a African rino horn and a Orinco

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

I planted 4 of the 5 I got to day:waving:

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

What it must be like to live in an area that is warm enough year round.

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

well where I live you might not see frost for years and every 10 years or so it gets cool enough to have frost on the ground. But the sun is all ways warm.:dreadlocksnaner:

Re: 25-30' and fruiting in Central Tx zone 8b
 

Pretty fast once they get going a few months after you plant it, and also when Spring comes... Feed it good though so it can sustain the growth. Lots of compost, water, etc.