Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Hey guys,
basic story is, I want to start a project in which I take a banana plant back from every country I go to on holiday. Last year I didn't have time to bring one back, which is a pity because we went by car which means transporting back would be easy (from France to Germany, you can read about this stuff in my introduction)

This year I'm going by plane so I would like to ask, has anybody done this before?

If so, I'd like some detailed information:

Where do you live?
Where did you go to?
By plane or car(or other)?
How did you take it back?(Wrapped in a towel etc)
Other info?

Thanks a lot in advance guys!
(Maybe, maybe we can get this a sticky :ha: )

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Make sure there is no soil on the roots and wrap the roots in damp pappertowel and wrapped in plastic.. That's how I ship them. I drove and brought banana's home before, more than once. I think customs has a problem with soil transfer for sure but not plants per se.. so good luck.. :^)

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Thank you, from where to where did you transport the bananas?

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Call you Agriculture Department and ask them

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Just asking because I don't know but I would think the chance of infecting your home planting with a disease or new bug would make this a risky endeavor.

The Aussies have strict rules on moving plant material around in their country. I would assume other banana growing areas might have equal controls.

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

I don't think that's a problem, plants get shipped around the whole time.
About the controls, that's why I am asking. The countries are both in the EU but still.

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Just use first post office and shipp that baby home!
:nanadrink:

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Good idea, but dont know if that isn't a bit expensive, and also how my parents would respond to that.
They look at me awkwardly when I admire banana plants anyway :/

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

I brought back an unknown banana from cuba last year. dug it up washed it and stuck it in a bag. no problems at all, took cigarettes back too didn't declare them either.

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Cool

I meant kewl

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Hi Ben ---------- the easiest way to get all the banana plants you want would be to contact Herr Markus Jonda at Palmcenter-exotica. His nursery is in Neufahrn right there in Germany. Look under bananenstauden. Are you close enough to visit? I have 2 Chini Champa that came from him.

Palmscenter-Exotica

Dan

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Thanks, I'd almost been thinking I'd be the only one doing this! Got any pics of that banana?

@Bananimal: Thanks for the link, but I think you understood me wrrong, I don't want to havve all the different species, 90% of them will be DC or x Paradisiaca anyway, it's just about being able to say : This one's from there, that one is a souvenir from there, etc. :)

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

From Malta I brought here: cactus, aloa and a lot of palm seeds. Although I have seen a fruiting Musa cavendish, I haven't took bulb because I have a lot of those up here.

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Nice, did you take the cactus as a plant or seefs?

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Plant. Some great looking variety with yellow spikes :)

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Did you take it back in a suitcase or did you take it on the plane with you in a rucksack etc.?

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

In the plane, it has been in a suitcase. I asked one lady behind the stand and she referred it is not ilegal to take seeds or small plants with you. Even at the airport you can buy little cacti.

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Thank you, that is very helpful :) :nanadrink:

Re: Bringing bananas back from vacation!
 

Its really not worth the risk bringing plants from abroad when you can get the very same ones locally. Especially when moving plants,the risk of spreading diseases is real,and with exclusively vegetatively propagated plants,like bananas,the risk is even greater,especially when bringing them from tropical areas or areas of mass cultivation. I do get plants from all over the world too,but only what I can't get locally and always researching a safe moving protocol for them to avoid brining serious diseases or pests. It's always best to bring plants from places with fewer pest and disease risks for the plant you are bringing rather than a place it's mass cultivated and thus pest pressure is higher. So,regarding bananas,cold countries or local banana specialty nurseries are your best choice for getting the bananas you want and only when you can't find what you want,do more research and bring it from abroad.
Within the EU,it's totally legal to move plants any way you want. Still,do your research for pests and diseases you may unknowingly bring from that country and take steps to lessen or eliminate the risk.

It doesnt add much to a common plant when you say you got it from abroad. On the other hand,when you show a very uncommon for your area or rare plant that your friends can easily take notice and say you got it from one of your travels,then it's indeed awe inspiring!

Happy traveling!!! Seed collecting while traveling is a much safer habit that you may want to employ instead and allows you to bring many more individuals and species with you in a safe way :)