Made a\bout bananas

[marksbananas]

Just wanted to say hello. I am new to this group and i have been looking for sometime as i am made about growing banana's and i have found it very addictive and was looking for somewhere to swap experiences. Found loads of places ion the US but none for the UK. I currently have a Musa Basjoo grow in an old whisky barrel in the garden that is doing really well this is its second year and already about 5 foot and produced loads of pups. I have tried to seperate but to no luck yet so advice would be great. I also have 1 Musa velutina , Dwarf pink banana. I currently have this inside as its only approx 6" and wanted to protect it from the harsh weather we have been having. I also have 3 MUSELLA LASIOCARPA , chiense yellow banana these again are inside as they are only about 6 inches each. I have 5 snow bananas that are supposed to be germinating but have only been planted about 2 weeks but no sign yet, any advice on growing these from seed greatfull recieved. Thanks for any help that anyone can offer. Also i am looking for a edible fruiting banana to grow if anyone has had any joy can threy let me know please. Thanks :) :) Can anyone recommeded a good book about growing banana's i have looked everywhere to no luck. Thanks again everyone for any help that can be offered.

[marksbananas]

[debster]

hello and welcome to the forum sorry i know absolutely nothing about bananas not that keen on eating them either but very welcome

[lorna]

Welcome, hope you enjoy the site. Maybe EJ can help.

[Doris_Pinks]

Hi Mark, I grow Musa Basjoo, (was from seed many moons ago!) and it is great!
Have given away several babies to certain peeps on A4All.
I separate the babies in the spring, just chop them away from their parent and pot on, sounds mean but has always worked for me!
And they love a well manured plot, and I cover mine in the winter.
Thats about as far as my nana knowledge goes I am afraid!
Would love more, but do not have the space t house them indoors in the winter. :'(
Welcome

DP

[marksbananas]

Thank you for your tips how big do you let the pup grow before you hack it off?

[Doris_Pinks]

Hmmm when showing the first good shoot really, about 12 inches tall, make sure you take a bit of the parents corm and that the pup has some roots too, and saw n sever!
HTH

DP

[Doris_Pinks]

Mark found this, may be of help to you! :)

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/banana/

There are forums on everything these days! ;D

[caroline7758]

If I could grow bananas I'd save a fortune- we get through tons here, I thnk my compost bin is at least 50% banana skins! Think we need a lot more global warming before we can grow them in Yorkshire, though! ;D

[marksbananas]

Thanks you everyone for your tips i have loads of reading now and lots of advice. Thanks ;D