Dekka
Newcastle
4th February 2009 5:50pm
#UserID: 102
View All Dekka's Edible Fruit Trees
tr
4th February 2009 7:29pm
#UserID: 1019
Dekka
4th February 2009 7:35pm
#UserID: 102
View All Dekka's Edible Fruit Trees
trikus says...
they really need an inch of rain a week , every week to get nice fat fruit . wait until the fruit has rounded out before picking . it will be very angular now . can take up to 6 months depending on what type it is . wait until you hear the fruit bats screaming and eating the first hand then pick !!! hehe .. bag them if you can get up there , and make a note to check in 3 months or so .. keep an eye on them .. I love home grown bananas .. got 6 different ones planted out no , and they are growing like the clappers.
they really need an inch of rain a week , every week to get nice fat fruit . wait until the fruit has rounded out before picking . it will be very angular now . can take up to 6 months depending on what type it is . wait until you hear the fruit bats screaming and eating the first hand then pick !!! hehe .. bag them if you can get up there , and make a note to check in 3 months or so .. keep an eye on them .. I love home grown bananas .. got 6 different ones planted out no , and they are growing like the clappers.
trikus
Tully
4th February 2009 9:10pm
#UserID: 930
Stella
Perth
6th February 2009 7:00pm
#UserID: 0
John I.
Melton
12th February 2009 10:05am
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
12th February 2009 10:17am
#UserID: 1351
Lucy
melbourne
12th February 2009 10:21am
#UserID: 0
John I.
Melton
12th February 2009 12:44pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Tony says...
Hi Stella, A banana plant/tree itself doesn't have a deep root system even late into fruit bearing stage. However, the suckers (little banana plants) will eventually spreadout extensively in the surrounding areas. I therefore wouldn't plant any banana tree near an above ground swimming pool.
Hi Stella, A banana plant/tree itself doesn't have a deep root system even late into fruit bearing stage. However, the suckers (little banana plants) will eventually spreadout extensively in the surrounding areas. I therefore wouldn't plant any banana tree near an above ground swimming pool.
Tony
Sydney
12th February 2009 8:32pm
#UserID: 0
John I. says...
Hi Stella,
Tony's reply implies that you can plant near your pool (but not too close) if you are willing to remove any suckers heading in the direction of the pool. This can be done by using a sharp shovel to "Cut downwards between the mature plant and the sucker". See the following link for more details... http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-bananas.html
Hi Stella,
Tony's reply implies that you can plant near your pool (but not too close) if you are willing to remove any suckers heading in the direction of the pool. This can be done by using a sharp shovel to "Cut downwards between the mature plant and the sucker". See the following link for more details... http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-bananas.html
John I.
Melton
13th February 2009 8:35am
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
13th February 2009 9:56am
#UserID: 1351
John I. says...
Thanks Jantina, I guess the sort of questions I have are around what things I can do to ensure that my tree's fruit consistently in our Melbourne climate. All the forums I have read for cold climate care of bananas are for extreme environments where snow and ice are an issue. In these cases people uproot there whole tree's and store them over winter in a garage or basement. Others remove all the leaves and rap the tree's with straw and chicken wire.
Thanks Jantina, I guess the sort of questions I have are around what things I can do to ensure that my tree's fruit consistently in our Melbourne climate. All the forums I have read for cold climate care of bananas are for extreme environments where snow and ice are an issue. In these cases people uproot there whole tree's and store them over winter in a garage or basement. Others remove all the leaves and rap the tree's with straw and chicken wire.
John I.
Melton
13th February 2009 10:24am
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Jantina says...
Email has gone out, we await reply. Goodness I thought I was keen but having to uproot plants and store them over winter or wrap them in straw and chickenwire? I have my hands full agonizing over the best site I have for things and then keeping them watered and protected from our occasional frosts!
Email has gone out, we await reply. Goodness I thought I was keen but having to uproot plants and store them over winter or wrap them in straw and chickenwire? I have my hands full agonizing over the best site I have for things and then keeping them watered and protected from our occasional frosts!
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
13th February 2009 10:32am
#UserID: 1351
Jason
Portland
15th February 2009 12:37am
#UserID: 637
Jantina says...
Thankyou Jason, you've been off the airwaves for a while and our computer went haywire and I lost email addresses etc.Could you email me again with your ph.no. please and we can make arrangements to collect the banana. Also you probably didn't see the post where I said I've got 3 grafted lucumos coming and did you want one?
Thankyou Jason, you've been off the airwaves for a while and our computer went haywire and I lost email addresses etc.Could you email me again with your ph.no. please and we can make arrangements to collect the banana. Also you probably didn't see the post where I said I've got 3 grafted lucumos coming and did you want one?
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
15th February 2009 9:46am
#UserID: 1351
John I.
Melton
15th February 2009 11:54am
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
15th February 2009 8:26pm
#UserID: 1351
John I.
Melton
16th February 2009 9:33am
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
John I.
Melton
24th February 2009 8:49am
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Firefly says...
John I, Blue Sky Backyard Bananas currently have some available.
http://www.backyardbananas.com.au/index.html
John I, Blue Sky Backyard Bananas currently have some available.
http://www.backyardbananas.com.au/index.html
Firefly
Penrith NSW
24th February 2009 3:42pm
#UserID: 0
John I.
Melton
24th February 2009 7:42pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
eddiemonster
melbourne
28th February 2009 7:25pm
#UserID: 948
HappyEarth
Wollongong
1st March 2009 6:15am
#UserID: 0
eddiemonster
melbourne
1st March 2009 3:00pm
#UserID: 948
John I. says...
This weeks Gardening Australia program (episode 9) had a segment on how too replant a sucker. If your interested go to http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2528894.htm and click on the "Watch the story" link to view the video.
This weeks Gardening Australia program (episode 9) had a segment on how too replant a sucker. If your interested go to http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2528894.htm and click on the "Watch the story" link to view the video.
John I.
Melton
30th March 2009 12:29pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Tran
Victoria
30th March 2009 2:24pm
#UserID: 0
Jantina says...
Hi John I, how goes it ? Have you managed to find anyone with a fruited banana yet? I haven't heard from Jason again and I sent away for a dwarf ducasse from bluesky bananas. It was only a small plant but is putting out new leaves and growing well. I've got it in a north facing partially enclosed verandah along with my other subtropicals.
Hi John I, how goes it ? Have you managed to find anyone with a fruited banana yet? I haven't heard from Jason again and I sent away for a dwarf ducasse from bluesky bananas. It was only a small plant but is putting out new leaves and growing well. I've got it in a north facing partially enclosed verandah along with my other subtropicals.
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
30th March 2009 7:30pm
#UserID: 1351
John I. says...
Hi Jantina. No I haven't found anyone in Melbourne yet, but if Jason has them fruiting in Portland I shouldn't have to many problems. I'm still worried about frost in the coming winter, and am thinking I will cover them overnight with aluminet. I don't have a good heat sink (such as a north facing wall) so I'm going to have to find a way to add some heat on the coldest nights.
I ended up getting a standard Cool Bananas Ducasse. I planted it near an east facing fence so I thought it's probably better to have a lager plant than the dwarf (so it can catch the afternoon sun when it reaches fence hight).
Hi Jantina. No I haven't found anyone in Melbourne yet, but if Jason has them fruiting in Portland I shouldn't have to many problems. I'm still worried about frost in the coming winter, and am thinking I will cover them overnight with aluminet. I don't have a good heat sink (such as a north facing wall) so I'm going to have to find a way to add some heat on the coldest nights.
I ended up getting a standard Cool Bananas Ducasse. I planted it near an east facing fence so I thought it's probably better to have a lager plant than the dwarf (so it can catch the afternoon sun when it reaches fence hight).
John I.
Melton
31st March 2009 7:31pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
31st March 2009 7:48pm
#UserID: 1351
John I. says...
Aluminet is like shade cloth but metalic. It's supposed to reflect heat back towards the plant. Warm bricks and hot water are both good ideas, but I'm thinking of using some pond lights at the base of the plants. I already have some that aren't being used, and I have a timer that I could set to go on around 4:00am and turn off around 7:00am.
Aluminet is like shade cloth but metalic. It's supposed to reflect heat back towards the plant. Warm bricks and hot water are both good ideas, but I'm thinking of using some pond lights at the base of the plants. I already have some that aren't being used, and I have a timer that I could set to go on around 4:00am and turn off around 7:00am.
John I.
Melton
31st March 2009 8:08pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
John I. says...
Hi Jantina. Heres a picture of my bananas. The large one is a Lady Finger, which was planted mid Jan (when it was about a foot high). The small one at the back is a Ducasse which I planted on the weekend, and the small one at the front is a red Dacca that I had replanted into a large pot in late Jan, and replanted in its current location last night.
Hi Jantina. Heres a picture of my bananas. The large one is a Lady Finger, which was planted mid Jan (when it was about a foot high). The small one at the back is a Ducasse which I planted on the weekend, and the small one at the front is a red Dacca that I had replanted into a large pot in late Jan, and replanted in its current location last night.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 | ||
John I.
Melton
1st April 2009 8:48am
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
4th April 2009 2:22pm
#UserID: 1351
John I.
Melton
8th April 2009 10:06am
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
amanda
geraldton WA
10th May 2009 11:55pm
#UserID: 2309
View All amanda's Edible Fruit Trees
trikus says...
Amanda , home grown will be far better as they are usually much superior cultivars than the commercial cavendish .
Also Bunnings would be selling tissue cultured plants , no one would dig up the thousands they require for a min. order !
Small plants generated by T/C may look like a water shoot but grow much better . Even a water shoot will grow but take longer .
Amanda , home grown will be far better as they are usually much superior cultivars than the commercial cavendish .
Also Bunnings would be selling tissue cultured plants , no one would dig up the thousands they require for a min. order !
Small plants generated by T/C may look like a water shoot but grow much better . Even a water shoot will grow but take longer .
trikus
Tully
11th May 2009 8:26am
#UserID: 930
John I. says...
Hi Amanda,
There are several reasons why I bother...
1. Bananas are my favourite fruit.
2. The supermarkets only stock 2 varieties.
3. I've been told they they can be successfully grown in Melbourne (and would like to see for myself).
4. I've always wondered what a fresh home grown banana tastes like.
5. I've also learnt a lot about gardening in general, just by researching ways of successfully growing bananas.
Bananas aren't the only fruit I grow. I also bother to grow apples, peaches, nectarines, fig, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, kiwi fruit, and a number of seasonal vegetables. I'm also trying dragon fruit, and have a babaco on order. Attempting to grow subtropical fruit doesn't exclude me from also growing other fruits more suited to my climate. It does however increase my interest in gardening, and my general understanding plant care.
Hi Amanda,
There are several reasons why I bother...
1. Bananas are my favourite fruit.
2. The supermarkets only stock 2 varieties.
3. I've been told they they can be successfully grown in Melbourne (and would like to see for myself).
4. I've always wondered what a fresh home grown banana tastes like.
5. I've also learnt a lot about gardening in general, just by researching ways of successfully growing bananas.
Bananas aren't the only fruit I grow. I also bother to grow apples, peaches, nectarines, fig, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, kiwi fruit, and a number of seasonal vegetables. I'm also trying dragon fruit, and have a babaco on order. Attempting to grow subtropical fruit doesn't exclude me from also growing other fruits more suited to my climate. It does however increase my interest in gardening, and my general understanding plant care.
John I.
Melbourne
11th May 2009 9:55am
#UserID: 2315
Kath says...
Hi Amanda,I bought one banana plant years ago for $2 & have had kilos & kilos from it's offspring. They are no bother-I chucked it in the chookyard where the retic hits it & never fertilize it, & it's fantastic with nice big bunches. Since then I've bought some Cavendish from Bunnings & Tass 1 & Lady's fingers. I'm surprised more people don't grow them as they look great & watching the bananas form is pretty cool-I've had many people comment they'd never seen them forming close up -they are fascinating to watch over a few days as they change so quickly. Kids especially like picking a banana and it is so much nicer than getting it from a big airconditioned supermarket when you can bet they have been gassed to ripen.I am hour south of Perth so they can handle a bit of cooler weather.
Hi Amanda,I bought one banana plant years ago for $2 & have had kilos & kilos from it's offspring. They are no bother-I chucked it in the chookyard where the retic hits it & never fertilize it, & it's fantastic with nice big bunches. Since then I've bought some Cavendish from Bunnings & Tass 1 & Lady's fingers. I'm surprised more people don't grow them as they look great & watching the bananas form is pretty cool-I've had many people comment they'd never seen them forming close up -they are fascinating to watch over a few days as they change so quickly. Kids especially like picking a banana and it is so much nicer than getting it from a big airconditioned supermarket when you can bet they have been gassed to ripen.I am hour south of Perth so they can handle a bit of cooler weather.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 |  Picture: 2 |  Picture: 3 |
Kath
Karnup W.A.
11th May 2009 12:44pm
#UserID: 1744
View All Kath's Edible Fruit Trees
trikus says...
I am sad that I did not garden more in the many years I lived in Melbourne . But i remember vividly the headlines and pictures in the local suburban newspapers when someone got bananas to fruit . I also remember seeing hundreds of houses with bananas in the back yards , especially along the Frankston line while in the train .
I am sad that I did not garden more in the many years I lived in Melbourne . But i remember vividly the headlines and pictures in the local suburban newspapers when someone got bananas to fruit . I also remember seeing hundreds of houses with bananas in the back yards , especially along the Frankston line while in the train .
trikus
Tully
11th May 2009 2:46pm
#UserID: 930
amanda says...
oops - sorry john didn't mean to offend. Gor for it! My plant definitely a water shoot according to a professional grower. I live in low rainfall area and don't recommend dripper irrigation for these - it's too confining for the suckers. I was reading Glowinskis report about apples and tend to agree - u have to weigh up the pros n cons i guess. Never-the-less my banana plant is getting the chop 2morrow to make way for something else (a capulin cherry) - and that's the fun of gardening - you can always change your mind!?
oops - sorry john didn't mean to offend. Gor for it! My plant definitely a water shoot according to a professional grower. I live in low rainfall area and don't recommend dripper irrigation for these - it's too confining for the suckers. I was reading Glowinskis report about apples and tend to agree - u have to weigh up the pros n cons i guess. Never-the-less my banana plant is getting the chop 2morrow to make way for something else (a capulin cherry) - and that's the fun of gardening - you can always change your mind!?
amanda
geraldton WA
12th May 2009 9:40pm
#UserID: 2309
View All amanda's Edible Fruit Trees
John I. says...
Hi Amanda,
No I wasn't offended. I'm sorry if my response sounded abrupt (it must be the German coming out of me). I'm expecting fruit from my bananas within the next two years (provided the frost doesn't get to them). If that fails then I'll have to do the same thing and replace them with something else. It won't be easy though because they are located near an easment, so I can't replace them with anything that has a large root system.
Hi Amanda,
No I wasn't offended. I'm sorry if my response sounded abrupt (it must be the German coming out of me). I'm expecting fruit from my bananas within the next two years (provided the frost doesn't get to them). If that fails then I'll have to do the same thing and replace them with something else. It won't be easy though because they are located near an easment, so I can't replace them with anything that has a large root system.
John I.
Melton
12th May 2009 10:00pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
peter
adelaide
12th May 2009 11:47pm
#UserID: 0
amanda says...
The book is The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia by Louis Glowinski. It's mentioned alot in the forum so I guess it's just about our bible! It's an excellent reference book. There was a segment on Gardening Aust about a new banana (for cold climates) that they have popped in down in Tassie! - only recently - it may be in the next magazine issued.
The book is The Complete Book of Fruit Growing in Australia by Louis Glowinski. It's mentioned alot in the forum so I guess it's just about our bible! It's an excellent reference book. There was a segment on Gardening Aust about a new banana (for cold climates) that they have popped in down in Tassie! - only recently - it may be in the next magazine issued.
amanda
geraldton WA
14th May 2009 4:56pm
#UserID: 2309
View All amanda's Edible Fruit Trees
John I. says...
John I. says...
Hi Amanda,
I saw the Gardening Australia segment. The banana they planted is branded Cool Bananas www.humphrisnursery.com.au/coolbanana/info/coolbananas.html
They are sold by bunnings and various other nurseries around Melbourne. I have three varieties of them. From what I have read they are considered cool climate bananas because they are a little bit more cold tolerant, and because the time it takes for fruit to ripen is shorter than other varieties.
John I. says...
Hi Amanda,
I saw the Gardening Australia segment. The banana they planted is branded Cool Bananas www.humphrisnursery.com.au/coolbanana/info/coolbananas.html
They are sold by bunnings and various other nurseries around Melbourne. I have three varieties of them. From what I have read they are considered cool climate bananas because they are a little bit more cold tolerant, and because the time it takes for fruit to ripen is shorter than other varieties.
John I.
Melbourne
14th May 2009 7:13pm
#UserID: 0
amanda
geraldton WA
14th May 2009 8:31pm
#UserID: 2309
View All amanda's Edible Fruit Trees
stef heinze
melbourne
6th June 2009 10:30pm
#UserID: 2394
juanita says...
I also have a 2yr old cool bananas ladyfinger & a 1 yr old cool bananas pisang ceylan variety...They're growing against high eastern fence & sheltered by tall lemon tree against hot NW winds in summer..Both are thriving beautifully but I find ladyfinger is more cold hardy than pisang ceylan.
I also have a 2yr old cool bananas ladyfinger & a 1 yr old cool bananas pisang ceylan variety...They're growing against high eastern fence & sheltered by tall lemon tree against hot NW winds in summer..Both are thriving beautifully but I find ladyfinger is more cold hardy than pisang ceylan.
juanita
melbourne
7th June 2009 1:52am
#UserID: 702
stef heinze
melbourne
7th June 2009 9:35am
#UserID: 2394
trikus
Tully
7th June 2009 6:30pm
#UserID: 930
John I. says...
Hi Stef and Juanita,
My Red Dacca is already showing signs of frost damage from the light frosts we had recently ( it's in it's first year). I noticed that the temps we get out here in the west are general 3 to 4 degrees below the Melbourne forcast.
Trikus, it's not recomended to feed and water bananas over winter down here in Melbourne. We don't get much growth due to the low temps, and the new growth is succeptable to frost. The blossum boosters a good idea though.
Hi Stef and Juanita,
My Red Dacca is already showing signs of frost damage from the light frosts we had recently ( it's in it's first year). I noticed that the temps we get out here in the west are general 3 to 4 degrees below the Melbourne forcast.
Trikus, it's not recomended to feed and water bananas over winter down here in Melbourne. We don't get much growth due to the low temps, and the new growth is succeptable to frost. The blossum boosters a good idea though.
John I.
Melton
7th June 2009 6:55pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
stef heinze
melbourne
7th June 2009 7:15pm
#UserID: 2394
John I.
Melton
7th June 2009 8:55pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
John I.
Melton
7th June 2009 9:07pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
stef heinze
melbourne
7th June 2009 10:52pm
#UserID: 2394
Michael
Wakeley
11th June 2009 1:30pm
#UserID: 1746
View All Michael's Edible Fruit Trees
John I. says...
Micheal, I scoured the web a few month ago to find an answer to this. The experts all claimed that it was not possible. I did however come across a blog where the guy had a plant (dwarf variety) in a pot next to his desk at work. He watered and feed it daily and it did flower and begin to fruit. The blog kind of ended there so there was no mention of the fruit maturing.
Micheal, I scoured the web a few month ago to find an answer to this. The experts all claimed that it was not possible. I did however come across a blog where the guy had a plant (dwarf variety) in a pot next to his desk at work. He watered and feed it daily and it did flower and begin to fruit. The blog kind of ended there so there was no mention of the fruit maturing.
John I.
Melton
11th June 2009 3:17pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
marg
11th June 2009 5:25pm
#UserID: 1892
View All marg's Edible Fruit Trees
randey says...
my first plantain was in an old copper and with vigorous feeding and watering it not only flowered but gave me about 3 hands that matured. just keep in mind that if you do pot grow them you are going to have use a BIG pot and be aware that you will have to repot every so often to accomodate the new suckers.
my first plantain was in an old copper and with vigorous feeding and watering it not only flowered but gave me about 3 hands that matured. just keep in mind that if you do pot grow them you are going to have use a BIG pot and be aware that you will have to repot every so often to accomodate the new suckers.
randey
perth
11th June 2009 6:13pm
#UserID: 2306
View All randey's Edible Fruit Trees
stef heinze
11th June 2009 9:25pm
#UserID: 0
marg
12th June 2009 7:42pm
#UserID: 1892
View All marg's Edible Fruit Trees
Michael
Wakeley
15th June 2009 10:33pm
#UserID: 1746
View All Michael's Edible Fruit Trees
juanita
16th June 2009 1:37am
#UserID: 0
Kath
Karnup W.A.
16th June 2009 10:07am
#UserID: 1744
View All Kath's Edible Fruit Trees
amanda says...
Hi Kath - sorry 4 your losses!! thats every gardeners worst nightmare picture!?
I have two mates that are ex-banana growers from Carnarvon and they have both looked at my plant n had a laugh!
Interesting their thoughts tho' - in WA (outside of kimberley) we are growing in a more marginal climate. They plant very (very) thickly in C'von. This is to increase shade n humudity - but also for support (still get cyclonic winds there) I keep thinking of B'nanas growing in their home environ - supported by the rain forest and the concommitant humidity/rainfall.
Your plants look great! Was that the recent storm we all copped? Every single one of my trees got thru' that with no damage at all - I was stoked - I have been practising deep infrequent watering and been "treating them mean to keep them keen" - not because I knew any better but it just made 'sense' to me somehow? Maybe a couple of 2.4m star pickets and some loops of rope could save them next time?
Hi Kath - sorry 4 your losses!! thats every gardeners worst nightmare picture!?
I have two mates that are ex-banana growers from Carnarvon and they have both looked at my plant n had a laugh!
Interesting their thoughts tho' - in WA (outside of kimberley) we are growing in a more marginal climate. They plant very (very) thickly in C'von. This is to increase shade n humudity - but also for support (still get cyclonic winds there) I keep thinking of B'nanas growing in their home environ - supported by the rain forest and the concommitant humidity/rainfall.
Your plants look great! Was that the recent storm we all copped? Every single one of my trees got thru' that with no damage at all - I was stoked - I have been practising deep infrequent watering and been "treating them mean to keep them keen" - not because I knew any better but it just made 'sense' to me somehow? Maybe a couple of 2.4m star pickets and some loops of rope could save them next time?
amanda
geraldton.WA
17th June 2009 12:47am
#UserID: 2309
View All amanda's Edible Fruit Trees
Michael
Wakeley
17th June 2009 12:39pm
#UserID: 1746
View All Michael's Edible Fruit Trees
Jantina
Mt. Gambier S.A.
18th June 2009 12:14am
#UserID: 1351
trikus says...
Loks like what is called Monkey bananas around here .. very popular with certain Asian growers . Fruits are very small , like really the same size as a ladys little finger .. ie , much smaller than what is commonly called Lady Finger [ act. I think these are a type of sugar ]
Very dificult to legally get different ones that are not mass propagated .
I am trying to source some and getting all permits and inspections and will try to get it put into the local lab for TC.
Michael I think they are really worth trying , smaller fruit should ripen quicker , and from what I hear the Mong [? sp.] may be hill tribes and these could have some cool tolerance .
Loks like what is called Monkey bananas around here .. very popular with certain Asian growers . Fruits are very small , like really the same size as a ladys little finger .. ie , much smaller than what is commonly called Lady Finger [ act. I think these are a type of sugar ]
Very dificult to legally get different ones that are not mass propagated .
I am trying to source some and getting all permits and inspections and will try to get it put into the local lab for TC.
Michael I think they are really worth trying , smaller fruit should ripen quicker , and from what I hear the Mong [? sp.] may be hill tribes and these could have some cool tolerance .
trikus
Tully
19th June 2009 9:00am
#UserID: 930
Speedy says...
Banana names are really frustrating.
There are differnt names in different countries and cultures for bananas of the same variety
and same names for different varieties.
very confusing. :-?
The little banana in the pic is known in some contries as 'Lady finger',
but in Aust that name is used for other bananas.
As trikus said, it's generally known in Aust as 'Monkey Banana'.
I think it's official name is 'Sucrier' (genome formula AA).
I managed to get a small plant in early 1990's but it didn't survive. :-(
Malay friends know it as 'Pisang Mas' (lit. Golden banana) ,
and Thai friends call it 'Klue Khai'
Trikus, if you do manage to secure some and get it to TC,
I'd really love some.
Please let me know if you do. :-)
Here's a very handy reference for Banana cultivars.
http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Musa.html#con.names
Cheers
Banana names are really frustrating.
There are differnt names in different countries and cultures for bananas of the same variety
and same names for different varieties.
very confusing. :-?
The little banana in the pic is known in some contries as 'Lady finger',
but in Aust that name is used for other bananas.
As trikus said, it's generally known in Aust as 'Monkey Banana'.
I think it's official name is 'Sucrier' (genome formula AA).
I managed to get a small plant in early 1990's but it didn't survive. :-(
Malay friends know it as 'Pisang Mas' (lit. Golden banana) ,
and Thai friends call it 'Klue Khai'
Trikus, if you do manage to secure some and get it to TC,
I'd really love some.
Please let me know if you do. :-)
Here's a very handy reference for Banana cultivars.
http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Musa.html#con.names
Cheers
Speedy
Swan Hill, Vic
19th June 2009 10:39am
#UserID: 2305
Michael says...
The banana i'm referring to is smaller then what is sold as Lady Fingers . Here's pictures of the banana I bought today comparing it to a match box ,50 cent coin and a sugar banana. There is even a smaller version of this banana which they don't have in season yet but it's 3/4 the length and width of the attach banana.
The banana i'm referring to is smaller then what is sold as Lady Fingers . Here's pictures of the banana I bought today comparing it to a match box ,50 cent coin and a sugar banana. There is even a smaller version of this banana which they don't have in season yet but it's 3/4 the length and width of the attach banana.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 |  Picture: 2 |  Picture: 3 |
Michael
Wakeley
20th June 2009 11:14pm
#UserID: 1746
View All Michael's Edible Fruit Trees
Speedy says...
Did whoever you bought it from have a name for it?
The 'monkey banana' or 'sucrier' is about that big and has quite a thin skin and a sort of gold tone to the flesh.
The stem of the one in the pic looks a bit bigger in proportion to the fruit than I remember though.
maybe this is something else and the not in season 3/4 size banana is 'monkey banana'
Did whoever you bought it from have a name for it?
The 'monkey banana' or 'sucrier' is about that big and has quite a thin skin and a sort of gold tone to the flesh.
The stem of the one in the pic looks a bit bigger in proportion to the fruit than I remember though.
maybe this is something else and the not in season 3/4 size banana is 'monkey banana'
Speedy
Swan Hill, Vic
21st June 2009 12:08am
#UserID: 2305
Michael
Wakeley
24th June 2009 11:02am
#UserID: 1746
View All Michael's Edible Fruit Trees
John I. says...
Hi Michael, It looks like a super dwarf cavendish. I don't know where to get them but have a look at this link for some info...
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/Bananas/Musa_cavendishi_Super_Dwarf.php
Hi Michael, It looks like a super dwarf cavendish. I don't know where to get them but have a look at this link for some info...
http://www.hardytropicals.co.uk/Bananas/Musa_cavendishi_Super_Dwarf.php
John I.
Melbourne
24th June 2009 2:04pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Michael
Wakeley
24th June 2009 4:52pm
#UserID: 1746
View All Michael's Edible Fruit Trees
John I. says...
Michael, there is a nursery near Melbourne that sells a super dwarf banana but when I asked what type it was and if it fruited I was told that they didn't know. Here is a link to their website...
http://www.denisestropicalgardens.com.au/products.php?base=34
Michael, there is a nursery near Melbourne that sells a super dwarf banana but when I asked what type it was and if it fruited I was told that they didn't know. Here is a link to their website...
http://www.denisestropicalgardens.com.au/products.php?base=34
John I.
Melbourne
24th June 2009 5:20pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
trikus
Tully
25th June 2009 8:51am
#UserID: 930
Sally
melbourne
25th June 2009 6:32pm
#UserID: 2498
trikus
Tully
27th June 2009 5:52am
#UserID: 930
Jess
melbourne
27th June 2009 7:33pm
#UserID: 2502
trikus
Tully
29th June 2009 11:26am
#UserID: 930
John I.
Melbourne
29th June 2009 1:52pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Sally
melbourne
29th June 2009 8:07pm
#UserID: 2510
John I. says...
Hi Sally, I can't find much information about the super dwarf from australian websites. According to some of the international websites they are often advertised as ornamental but do produce small sweet eadible fruit. The main varieties seem to be the super dwarf novak, and super dwarf cavandishi. Then there are a whole range of brand named versions in the US. I think it is worth a try anyway. How long have you had yours?
Hi Sally, I can't find much information about the super dwarf from australian websites. According to some of the international websites they are often advertised as ornamental but do produce small sweet eadible fruit. The main varieties seem to be the super dwarf novak, and super dwarf cavandishi. Then there are a whole range of brand named versions in the US. I think it is worth a try anyway. How long have you had yours?
John I.
Melbourne
29th June 2009 8:32pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Sally says...
Hi John i just bought it on the weekend i also had a look on websites and they all went back to super dwarf cavandish so i can only hope. If you dont mind answering this question might seem stupid but when they say ornamental does it mean it does not produce fruit at all just foliage and i think all bananas are edible have not come across any that are bad for you
Sally
Hi John i just bought it on the weekend i also had a look on websites and they all went back to super dwarf cavandish so i can only hope. If you dont mind answering this question might seem stupid but when they say ornamental does it mean it does not produce fruit at all just foliage and i think all bananas are edible have not come across any that are bad for you
Sally
Sally
melbourne
29th June 2009 8:55pm
#UserID: 2510
John I. says...
Sally, I always thought that ornamental meant that it didn't fruit at all or that the fruit was of such a poor quality that it wasn't worth eating. From what I've read recently this does not appear to be true. There is a good chance that your super dwarf will produce small sweet fruit that could taste nice.
Sally, I always thought that ornamental meant that it didn't fruit at all or that the fruit was of such a poor quality that it wasn't worth eating. From what I've read recently this does not appear to be true. There is a good chance that your super dwarf will produce small sweet fruit that could taste nice.
John I.
Melbourne
29th June 2009 9:31pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Sally
melbourne
29th June 2009 9:50pm
#UserID: 2510
John I.
Melbourne
29th June 2009 10:02pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
rus says...
After reading the posts about bananas on here, particularly kath and the other WA growers i decided to give one a go. I rang up about lady fingers advertised in the quokka (free advert paper) for $10. Went to pick it up and they they had litterally hundreds with many in fruit. The sucker they gave me was easily 5 foot tall.
Any fears i had about being able to grow them in suburban perth have been banished.
After reading the posts about bananas on here, particularly kath and the other WA growers i decided to give one a go. I rang up about lady fingers advertised in the quokka (free advert paper) for $10. Went to pick it up and they they had litterally hundreds with many in fruit. The sucker they gave me was easily 5 foot tall.
Any fears i had about being able to grow them in suburban perth have been banished.
rus
Perth NOR
31st August 2009 12:45am
#UserID: 1968
Jimmy
31st August 2009 12:10pm
#UserID: 2548
View All Jimmy's Edible Fruit Trees
Bonnie
Helena Valley WA
14th December 2009 10:31am
#UserID: 3114
Jimmy
Perth
14th December 2009 11:03am
#UserID: 2548
View All Jimmy's Edible Fruit Trees
juanita says...
Hi Stef & John1,
Mine hasn't fruited yet...How will i get them to fruit is a BIG ?? for me when most of their foliage have gone brown or died in winter..However, i know somebody in our suburb who managed to get one of his banana trees fruited for him but he's not willing to share his secret/expertise w/ anyone but one thing i've noticed his banana trees are being shaded by next door huge tall gum tree & that could be the trick??
Hi Stef & John1,
Mine hasn't fruited yet...How will i get them to fruit is a BIG ?? for me when most of their foliage have gone brown or died in winter..However, i know somebody in our suburb who managed to get one of his banana trees fruited for him but he's not willing to share his secret/expertise w/ anyone but one thing i've noticed his banana trees are being shaded by next door huge tall gum tree & that could be the trick??
juanita
melbourne
27th December 2009 1:14am
#UserID: 0
Eddie says...
Hi Juanita as per my pictures i roughly framed the area then put the clear roofing on top and put shade cloth around the frame and also lined it with bubble wrap from the inside and did not die only opened the side during nice days otherwise just watered and feed them. i live in the south east suburbs and my friends neighbour didnt protect and was not looking the best. Hope this will help you and others.
Hi Juanita as per my pictures i roughly framed the area then put the clear roofing on top and put shade cloth around the frame and also lined it with bubble wrap from the inside and did not die only opened the side during nice days otherwise just watered and feed them. i live in the south east suburbs and my friends neighbour didnt protect and was not looking the best. Hope this will help you and others.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 |  Picture: 2 | |
Eddie
Melbourne
27th December 2009 6:56pm
#UserID: 948
amanda
Geraldton. WA
3rd January 2010 12:47pm
#UserID: 2309
View All amanda's Edible Fruit Trees
Charles cant spell says...
My Cavandish (I think) has taken 3 years from a knee high sucker to flower. I was getting to much wind damage on the leaves and not enough love. Its suckers are doing much better as I improve the wind issue and microclimate. I was cosidering putting shadecloth over the top to keep all the wind out but might see how they go.
ITs 40ish today and they dont show any sign of stress.
How tall are you bananas Kath ? They look 3-4 meters or so. I wonder if mine will get larger with more protection.
My Cavandish (I think) has taken 3 years from a knee high sucker to flower. I was getting to much wind damage on the leaves and not enough love. Its suckers are doing much better as I improve the wind issue and microclimate. I was cosidering putting shadecloth over the top to keep all the wind out but might see how they go.
ITs 40ish today and they dont show any sign of stress.
How tall are you bananas Kath ? They look 3-4 meters or so. I wonder if mine will get larger with more protection.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 |  Picture: 2 | |
Charles cant spell
Innaloo, Perth
3rd January 2010 4:12pm
#UserID: 2742
View All Charles cant spell's Edible Fruit Trees
Maurice says...
Hi all, a very interesting forum. A friend purchased 2 banana plants for me from Denise's
in Carrum downs in late Aug 09 which I thought I would plant as an experiment, I planted them in early September, I requested a Cavendish and a Lady Finger. Since then they have doubled in size. Is there any way to identify which type they are ? I think the larger one is the Cavendish. They are getting a new leaf approximately every 7 to 9 days. The larger one got it's first sucker last week and I was optimistically hoping that the fruiting stage may be imminent, I now know that this is quite unlikely to happen this summer season from the other posts and maybe not the next. The larger one is around 5ft tall so I am guessing it must be a dwarf since if has a sucker already. I am not intending to uproot them as I don't think Melbourne's winter should be a problem. Thinking of housing them in a minature plastic structure in their current position. Has anyone had any luck with fruiting bananas in Melbourne and how were they kept viable over Winter, many thanks Maurice
Hi all, a very interesting forum. A friend purchased 2 banana plants for me from Denise's
in Carrum downs in late Aug 09 which I thought I would plant as an experiment, I planted them in early September, I requested a Cavendish and a Lady Finger. Since then they have doubled in size. Is there any way to identify which type they are ? I think the larger one is the Cavendish. They are getting a new leaf approximately every 7 to 9 days. The larger one got it's first sucker last week and I was optimistically hoping that the fruiting stage may be imminent, I now know that this is quite unlikely to happen this summer season from the other posts and maybe not the next. The larger one is around 5ft tall so I am guessing it must be a dwarf since if has a sucker already. I am not intending to uproot them as I don't think Melbourne's winter should be a problem. Thinking of housing them in a minature plastic structure in their current position. Has anyone had any luck with fruiting bananas in Melbourne and how were they kept viable over Winter, many thanks Maurice
Maurice
Mordialloc
15th January 2010 8:31pm
#UserID: 0
JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE says...
Hi Maurice,
I have had no problem with banana plants in Melbourne in winter. They cope very well, I have done nothing.
I lost one (got burnt) during bush fire season last year but 2 suckers came up so it was ok.
I have had the tall Cavendish plant fruited a couple of year ago twice, 3 years apart and very skinny hands. I abandoned that plant because of the drought, no water for them. I now have a water tank.
Three years ago, I started to grow again (dwarf lady finger), the first year I grew in pot from a rhizome, transfer into the ground the second year and lost the main one and this year the
plant is doing well. I read the QLD DPI website the other day and found for every plant, I must feed 800 grams of lime, 240 grams of nitrogen, 600 grams of potash and 60 gram of phosphate divided into 4 application from September to May (I did not do that for my first one, no wonder the fruits did not form properly).
I have done my 1st application in combination of watering every day. I could see them getting stronger and bigger every day.
My plant has blotchy pattern on the leaves when young.
I hope this helps.
Good luck.
Hi Maurice,
I have had no problem with banana plants in Melbourne in winter. They cope very well, I have done nothing.
I lost one (got burnt) during bush fire season last year but 2 suckers came up so it was ok.
I have had the tall Cavendish plant fruited a couple of year ago twice, 3 years apart and very skinny hands. I abandoned that plant because of the drought, no water for them. I now have a water tank.
Three years ago, I started to grow again (dwarf lady finger), the first year I grew in pot from a rhizome, transfer into the ground the second year and lost the main one and this year the
plant is doing well. I read the QLD DPI website the other day and found for every plant, I must feed 800 grams of lime, 240 grams of nitrogen, 600 grams of potash and 60 gram of phosphate divided into 4 application from September to May (I did not do that for my first one, no wonder the fruits did not form properly).
I have done my 1st application in combination of watering every day. I could see them getting stronger and bigger every day.
My plant has blotchy pattern on the leaves when young.
I hope this helps.
Good luck.
JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE
Melbourne
15th January 2010 10:29pm
#UserID: 2706
View All JUJUBE FOR SALE IN MELBOURNE's Edible Fruit Trees
Maurice says...
Hi Jujube, thanks for your reply. It is very reassuring to learn that you have had some success in the past with your bananas. I will definitely persevere with them and see how they go. Haven't quite fertilizied in the manner suggested but have given them chook pallets and cow and horse manure usually mixed with water. May now consider trying some other tropical plants as well, cheers, Maurice
Hi Jujube, thanks for your reply. It is very reassuring to learn that you have had some success in the past with your bananas. I will definitely persevere with them and see how they go. Haven't quite fertilizied in the manner suggested but have given them chook pallets and cow and horse manure usually mixed with water. May now consider trying some other tropical plants as well, cheers, Maurice
Maurice
Mordialloc
17th January 2010 4:52pm
#UserID: 0
Jason says...
Ive just picked up a Cavendish from Trees A Green in forrestfield yesterday. $15
Not sure how much success Ill have with it but for $15 its worth a shot.
Just repotted it into a larger pot today and keeping it in semi shade during this 40 degree week we are having.
Hows the weather up Geraldton way Amanda?
Ive just picked up a Cavendish from Trees A Green in forrestfield yesterday. $15
Not sure how much success Ill have with it but for $15 its worth a shot.
Just repotted it into a larger pot today and keeping it in semi shade during this 40 degree week we are having.
Hows the weather up Geraldton way Amanda?
Jason
Perth
17th January 2010 5:32pm
#UserID: 2491
View All Jason's Edible Fruit Trees
Brad
Como, Perth
17th January 2010 8:26pm
#UserID: 2323
View All Brad's Edible Fruit Trees
Mish says...
Hi everyone
Jason: I just picked up a Cavendish the other day too. Very excited about the adventure... It says on the tag 'perfect for containers'... or 'grow indoors'... (strange), but what size I am wondering? 50L or 100L? What size pot have you put yours in?
My main worry is protecting it from the wind... as I don't have any place in the garden where it isn't windy.
Hi everyone
Jason: I just picked up a Cavendish the other day too. Very excited about the adventure... It says on the tag 'perfect for containers'... or 'grow indoors'... (strange), but what size I am wondering? 50L or 100L? What size pot have you put yours in?
My main worry is protecting it from the wind... as I don't have any place in the garden where it isn't windy.
Mish
Singleton
24th January 2010 11:28am
#UserID: 3045
View All Mish's Edible Fruit Trees
Jason
Perth
25th January 2010 9:09pm
#UserID: 2491
View All Jason's Edible Fruit Trees
John I.
Melbourne
26th January 2010 9:50pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Megan
Melbourne
28th January 2010 6:58pm
#UserID: 3306
John I.
Melbourne
28th January 2010 8:19pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Megan
Melbourne
28th January 2010 9:03pm
#UserID: 3306
John I.
Melbourne
3rd February 2010 4:22pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
Phil@Tyalgum says...
John I received a Blue Java, Dwarf Ducasse and a Goldfinger from Blue Sky in Queensland in December as in vitro specimens, they are now doing well and about 8" tall. Blue Java sounds like the pick of eating bananas, can't wait for them to get moving.
John I received a Blue Java, Dwarf Ducasse and a Goldfinger from Blue Sky in Queensland in December as in vitro specimens, they are now doing well and about 8" tall. Blue Java sounds like the pick of eating bananas, can't wait for them to get moving.
| Pictures - Click to enlarge | ||
 Picture: 1 | ||
Phil@Tyalgum
Murwillumbah
3rd February 2010 5:09pm
#UserID: 0
John I.
Melbourne
3rd February 2010 9:26pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I.'s Edible Fruit Trees
kicker
bonny hills
7th February 2010 11:23am
#UserID: 3352
jerry
melton
17th February 2010 10:40pm
#UserID: 3397
BJ
Brisbane
16th March 2010 1:47pm
#UserID: 3270
View All BJ's Edible Fruit Trees
trikus
Tully
16th March 2010 3:24pm
#UserID: 930
John I
Melbourne
16th March 2010 4:08pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I's Edible Fruit Trees
John I
Melbourne
16th March 2010 4:30pm
#UserID: 1975
View All John I's Edible Fruit Trees
BJ
Brisbane
16th March 2010 5:07pm
#UserID: 3270
View All BJ's Edible Fruit Trees
trikus says...
Give yourself about 1m from the fence line so you can get in there to cut off suckers . The stands can get very big , this is my best grower and I should have thinned it out a bit more than I have . I have 2 bunches hanging on it now , about 1 month apart . Both are propped up on bamboo supports and they are stringed together with baling twine . These are SUPERB TASTING FRUITS .
Give yourself about 1m from the fence line so you can get in there to cut off suckers . The stands can get very big , this is my best grower and I should have thinned it out a bit more than I have . I have 2 bunches hanging on it now , about 1 month apart . Both are propped up on bamboo supports and they are stringed together with baling twine . These are SUPERB TASTING FRUITS .
trikus
Tully
16th March 2010 5:27pm
#UserID: 930