I bought a seedling on ebay from Wellspring. I did not do my research before buying and have since learned that this variety is susceptible to Panama disease, a fatal type of fusarium.
1. Does anybody grow this variety? what is your experience?
2. Is this fusarium something to be concerned about in a residential garden (vs. a commercial plantation)?
3. I don't know for sure if these are tissue cultures (I think they are) but seems like I read somewhere that
the disease is not a problem if TCed from a healthy plant. Anybody know this for a fact?
I will report later on my experience with this vendor. So far Donovan seems very nice and helpful and I have emailed questions, but I feel a little silly for not researching first. I don't want him to think I'm wanting to back out of the sale. My bad for not researching in advance. I just was so in the mood for a good edible banana!
Banana Manzano
Voss.....Dont worry about a thing....I have a yard full of manzanos, and they've never once had a problem....no diseases, no anything (and trust me, my plants have to survive on a fair amount of abuse) They also bounce back after frosts and light freezes. You will be very happy with this variety of banana. They are smaller than the normal store bought bananas, but also have a very pleasant apple/strawberry/banana flavor to them. Quite often the flesh will be a little more peach colored than the normal store bananas youre used to. Make sure to wait until they are fully ripened to eat.
I have orderd many times from Wellspring, and although the plants are fairly small, they also charge less than some of the other sellers, and the plants have always been healthy.
Let me know how they work out for you!
MerryMary
whew!
I will, and thanks.
when you've bought from Donovan, do yo immediately plant inground, or do you let them grow to some significant size before they go inground?
I usually keep things planted in a pot for a while....most of his plants are in the 8inch size zone, in a 3 or 4 inch max pot.....so I plant them in a gallon sized pot and let them grow that way for a season to get a good root-ball on them. This time of year, you will want to protect bananas from the elements anyway. Some of the smaller ones I have left in decorative pots for several seasons, around the deck, and then when they finally get rootbound and start sending up pups, I stick them in the ground. Donovan has always been nice to deal with, a little slow on the shipping from time to time, but still has never been a problem seller.
Thanks MM. I did get an email from Donovan and he said they are TCs from a healthy plant. So I will worry no more. I will keep my plants in a pot for 1 yr. I bought 1 manzano, 1 ice cream and 1 red (hopefully with heavy red markings). I bought a red several years ago, sold to me as Zebrina, but the markings on the top of leaf have faded. The undersides are a dark red and from 1 banana I have gotten several plants, which I have planted in several locations. 3-4 plants have even put out fruit, which I believe is not edible.
thanks for your help.
Zebrinas do tend to lose some of their red markings as the mature. The underside of the leaves stay tinted, but not as many markings on the top sides. Pups will have more red, and occasionally if you cut them down, or get a light frost/freeze, the newer growth will have a bit more red to it again. I bought a Jamaican red, but it's too small to see if it keeps its color, although it's supposed to bear red fruit. I ordered an Abyssinian from Donovan several weeks ago, it has slightly red tinted leaves, with red veining.
Last year I bought a Kru banana, which is green, but has red veining. I'm afraid to put it in the ground, as they are harder to find. My dream is an AyAy variegated, but I've only seen them for $100, so...uh....no....
:)
Hope all of yours work out!