Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

UPDATE June 3, 2009: Dr. Parmar has informed Chong and myself that he is not able to provide a phytosanitary certificate with shipments of these bananas. If your importation requires such a certifiate, please take this into consideration.

Dr. Parmar of India noticed my discussion of bananas in another discussion group and asked me to introduce this cold hardy banana discussed on a site he has started. You can view his site's information at HILL BANANA, but I will also post all of the information here as he has requested.

I have not seen this discussed here previously. Is anyone familiar with it?





Family: Musaceae

Common name: Pahari kela

Hill banana is a plant of very common occurrence in the hills of North West India at elevations between 800 to 1500 m. This part has climate ranging between subtropical and temperate. The summer temperatures are around 30-32 C and the winter temperatures can go down upto -3 C. Many areas in this part also receive mild snow fall once or twice the season.

So hill banana is a very unusual banana. It is growing in this area which should not be a “banana area” considering the usual behavior of the common commercial banana varieties. It is certainly different in its behavior and has a trait of cold resistance.

Surprisingly, this banana is not known at all outside its habitat even in India.

Description:

The plants are of medium height banana plants and do not look different from the plants of commercial varieties so far as pseudostems and leaves are concerned. There is no apparent single distinguishing feature that might separate the hill banana from the commercial bananas.



The fruits are thicker and larger sized than the common commercial cultivars like Poovan and Morataman. Bunches are, however, not very big. So this banana seems to be less productive. The reason for this difference may be the lack of care of plants. All the hill banana plants are growing just all by themselves and are not looked after at all. The productivity might improve if these plants are grown and looked after like cultivated plants.

The difference between a hill banana and commercial bananas, however, lies in pulp and fruit quality. The pulp of hill bananas is not as dry as that of commercial types. It is more watery and is less erect after peeling off the skin. It is somewhat leathery and does not break easily.



Ripe fruits of hill banana

The taste is also slightly different. It is sweet but with a tinge of sourness.

There is feeling of heaviness in stomach after eating two fruits. So these bananas cannot be eaten as much as the commercial bananas.

Utilization:

The hill banana used to be the only banana available in the hills till 50 years ago when the other banana was not reaching there due to lack of roads and adequate goods transport facilities. So this was used like other bananas. Things changed drastically in India during the past 50 years and now the bananas from South and West India are available in the fruit shops of even every small village. So the hill banana is not in much demand now. Some fruits are still offered for sale at some places. This banana is also used for preparing a sweet vegetable curry eaten along with rice in the hills of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Cultivation:

Hill banana plants are still planted in the back yards of village homes. There are some important other uses of a banana tree besides food, especially in religious ceremonies. So this banana is going to stay in spite of the competition from commercial bananas from tropical parts.

This banana can be planted in the areas which are too cold for the commercial tropical banana varieties.

Hill banana is a valuable genetic resource and it should be utilized.



Thanks for viewing,

Harvey

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Thanks for sharing this, Harvey. Very impressive banana! Though probably better for cooking if it leaves you with a heavy feeling. That is what happens when you eat raw Saba.

Quest for another banana?

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

This species seems to be very much interesting. There are so nice bananas
in India that can be grown in the marginal areas where I live.
But the question is how they can be obtained.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Thanks Harvey, this ones on my "must have" list. Cold tolerant and Hill's my last name!

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

If someone has an import permit, Dr. Parmar said he could send some corms summer. I don't feel like getting involved with that so I did not get into the cost. His contact information is located at It is being endeavored through this website to have basic introductory information about all the edible fruits of the world.

UPDATE: See comments down below at Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India - Bananas.org before contacting Dr. Parmar. We don't need a whole truckload of these plants shipped over here. ;)

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Interesting banana Harvey, thanks for bringing it to our board. Cold-hardy edibles are on the top of so many members' lists.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Pete and I were chatting and we're thinking that Chong should import the banana and spread the cost out on a group purchase! ;)

Who else might be up for the task?

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I am definitely in on this one!

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Definately count me in, I'm good for whatever reasonable expense.:woohoonaner:

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Me too!

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

And the list goes on . . . . LOL!

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Would be interested depending on cost!

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I too would be interested.

Thanks

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

If these can be sent across the pond, Count me in too please.

We are currently experiencing - 7 at the moment so cold hardy bananas would feel right at home.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

If we can get these at a reasonable cost, I will be putting them into TC as soon as possible. I would think that we can send TC liners to you across the pond but have to do some more checking. Anyone know the rules?

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I sent an email to Dr. Parmar. I have eAuthentication, so it shouldn't be too difficult to get a permit.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Just a head's up to others. Chong, who has an import permit, has already been in contact with Dr. Parmar and has received a quote for services and estimated shipping costs. The harvest season for the pups is reported to be in June so we've got plenty of time. A few of us will probably front the costs for the import and Scot will put some into tissue culture so we can get these out to everyone who is interested. Hopefully, Scot can collect the money to recoup our costs (profit isn't our objective).

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I know I got into this late, but I will also offer financial support for the chance to get my hands on a cold hardy-ish edible.

Cheers,

Ed.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

absolutely, count me in. Would be happy to fund a quantity for 'european distribution' I have a DEFRA permit so shipping in/out not a problem. I will ask my source in India if he is familiar with this cultivar.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Hi Scot

the only comment would make here is that, in buying corms from local Indian Farmers/growers we are in a way giving back. As you know I don't disagree with TC. especially where growers seem unwilling to make plants available e.g. 'Natural Products'. I just think if the Indians are prepared to sell plants at a reasonable cost then that should negate the need for TC.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I agree with you, but the costs quoted so far have been excessive. If we can lower the cost per corm then it makes sense. TC comes in handy where import restrictions would not allow a corm to be shipped, but a certified clean plantlet from culture would be permitted.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I've e mailed them, still awaiting a reply. my only doubt with this one is having google earthed 'Rampur' it would appear to be on the northern plains of Uttar Pradesh rather than an upland area like Kalimpong, so the hardiness may not be all it's cracked up to be. still, we'll see.

is anybody actually working in the states? you're all permanently online...

at least it's evening time over here but you lot have got no excuse:ha:

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Kev, it doesn't exactly negate the need for TC as TC does help eliminate the risk of pests that might accidentally come along for a ride. I would personally prefer a TC plant over a plant from a source with unknown risks of pests. USDA inspectors can't find everything and some locations are more lax than others.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Subscribing to thread... hope this pans out for everyone.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

That's what I was wondering- what state of India is it from? :)

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

[quote=51st state;60354].

is anybody actually working in the states? you're all permanently online...

Good question , most days in between "putting out fires" every day I run to the computer to keep my "sanity".

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Greetings to all

I personally tried to contact the Dr., but I did not receive any answer until now. Anyway I would like to participate in the purchase, even if I live in Europe, I think once the parcel reaches USA then it would be possible to buy it from one of you.

Blessings

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

:ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha:
Some of us are just plugged into the Matrix, it seems.[quote=Bob;60428]

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I live over in the UK too and would be happy to join in depending on costs. It would be great to get a cold hardy fruit barer over to the chilly UK.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Hi,

I also want one or two, but Brazil does not permit imports of banana rhizomes. Perhaps lorax or anyone in South America can order some rhizomes for herself or himself and for me and send them further to my homekeeper to Brazil.

Best wishes
Basjoofriend

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I'm interested also. Any idea on cost yet? I wonder if they can be grown from seeds? Looks like there are seeds in the picture of the one that's broke open.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

This sounds like one I would definitely be interested in aquiring. If an order does take place, fill me in with the details.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Michael, I believe that this is a seedless banana. We are working on a group order and it will probably go into tissue culture and become more available after that. Pups get thinned in June so we need to be patient for a bit.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

If anyone is making a list of people who want this banana, please include me too.
Thanks.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Has anyone tried to contact this place? They seem to have them in tissue culture?

Tissue culture plant nursery Banana, ornamental plants india

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Thanks for the link. Funny they call it, "Virupakshi", not "Pahari Kela". I wonder if they're truly the same, and those are just regional names?

Chong

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

It seems that there are also different variations which they call 'ecotypes', one suitable for hill planting, another for plain planting.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

One thing is for certain though, is they also call it the same "Hill Banana".
Hill Banana

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I think it is a different banana. The TC Hill Banana is from the Lower Palani hills and Sirumalai hills of Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu state in India.

The one this thread is about comes from hills of North West India it hints that it in the Himachal Pradesh region.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Thought this was interesting too:
Pahari Kela

Pahari is the local dialect
Kela is their common name for banana.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Chong, I can write Dr. Parmar if you want to ask him about this or you can, since you're working with him. Just let me know. I know Dr. Parmar only a little.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Harvey,
Please do write Dr. Parmar and ask him about the whole story of this agenda,
and do tell us what he says.
Thanks in advance.
Stan

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Hello Stan,

I wrote Dr. Parmar late yesterday and he replied a short while later. He somewhat clarified some things but basically said that the suckers won't emerge until March and he asked us to wait until them to contact him again. Some of our members are working out the details to import plants and probably put it into tissue culture so that we have many more plants to spread the cost over to keep it reasonable for everybody. Until we get closer to the season to import them, we'll just have to be patient.

Thanks,

Harvey

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Ok we can speculate on this all day long but I just love to research and this a forum. Anyhow I found this document about a road project in Himachal Pradesh. It runs between two towns named Ghumarwin elevation 790 (spelled Gumarwin in some places in the document) and Saraghat elevation 950. ON page 46 it list plant species along the road. A Musa species is listed. Evidently 4 plants along the route. At the Hill Banana web site it list a market where these bananas were being sold named Rampur. Well Ramptur elevation 2500 is just a little west of this location.

http://himachal.nic.in/hpridc/bioeng...ng_phase-2.pdf

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

The TC company in India calling theirs 'Virupakshi' says it is AAB (Pome) variety.
It will develop its characteristic aroma, only when cultivated in higher elevations.

As he stated "Actually this Hill Banana is called as VIRUPAKSHI and it is native of Sirumalai Hills near Kodaikanal in TamilNadu. This is cultivated in an elevation of 2500 to 2700 feet MSL. The fruit is a small fruitis Yellow in colour with thick Rind and sweater taste.
If you have got such Elevation in your country then you can cultivate the Hill Banana."

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

word from India is that 'Pahari' means hill and 'Kela' means banana. they are checking but believe that this may be the same as M. Malbhog.

The plant mentioned and grown in Tamil Nadu may well be a hill banana, but, tamil nadu is really really hot so this is not likely to be cold hardy.

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Oh gross. If it tastes like a sweater, I'm out! :ha:

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

[quote=Chironex;61872]Yellow in colour with thick Rind and sweater taste.
QUOTE]

I'll skip the nana that tastes of sweaters LOL :waving:

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

Me three! :) LOL

Re: Hill Banana ("Pahari kela") from India
 

I'm sure they meant to spell socks.