ENCANTO FARMS
"we be bananas" in San Diego

CALIFORNIA GOLD

DESCRIPTION:
There is one fruiting banana that bears fruit consistently year after year. It was grown and identified by Jeff Earl in Modesto. It can survive 20 F temperature and still bears delicious fruit the summer that follows. Jeff calls this California Gold Banana. I suspect that it is a cold-hardy mutation of dwarf orinoco cultivar growing prolificly in the high altitude and low temperature areas around Mexico and Texas. Here's a quote from one of the lucky winners of eBay when Jeff auctioned his pup: "Rare Dwarf banana plant that is proven to be the cold hardiest of all edible fruit-producing bananas in Northern California. An excellent cold hardy sport of dwarf orinoco, distantly related to Bluggoe. For more than 10 years, this banana has consistently produced an average of 25 lbs of good tasting yellow fruit in Northern California, thus nicknamed "California Gold" - a real cold hardy fruit producer. Exceptionally frost hardy compared to other bananas, produces good fruit, year after year, without any frost protection. Only a few banana plants might equal the cold hardiness of California Gold, such as the inedible Japanese fiber banana Musa basjoo. Cavendish type banana plants such as Super Dwarf, Williams and Double Mahoi, and most of the other edible banana plants will freeze to the ground and die during the cold winter spells when left outside without any winter protection. The California Gold banana shakes off the cold. It may lose its' leaves after a hard freeze, but then continues to grow when the weather warms in the spring. The leaves lost during the winter don?t seem to slow this plant down. California Gold have produced tasty bananas outdoors during the summer after enduring winter low temp in the low 20?s! These plants should be able grow fine in USDA zone 7 and above as an outdoor plant. They have been fruited as far north as Washington State and British Columbia with only minor winter protection. The mature plant is small only 5-6 ft tall. Some of plants have produced fruit in as early as 11 months from a pup. This exotic looking plant makes a stunning tropical impression in any garden as well as a lovely indoor potted plant. Delicious fruits rival any store bought fruit in quality and flavor, with just a hint of lemon and strawberry. " I'm dying to get hold of this very rare banana that has just been shared by Jeff Earl after more than 20 years of testing in Modesto. (906) [L]et me clarify a few things. #1 ... Is the banana that I call California gold one in the same as Dwarf Orinoco? ... Answer, I honestly don't know. My guess is that they are in the same family... as is Ice Cream, Blue Java , Blugo etc. It was labeled "Hardy Mexican Apple banana" But the guy I bought it from said that he gave it the name. The fruit looks like its' in the Orinoco family. It has fruited at 4 ft tall and as high as 7 ft. I bought the parent banana before anyone ever mentioned Dwarf Orinoco or even regular Orinoco. Bananas are one plant that mutate very easily. So I gave it the name. It does differ a little from dwarf orinocos in that they are generally all 6 ft tall when fruiting size. To me Cal Gold fruit is a little more rounded. As far as frost hardiness... They seem simular. Though Cagold is generally the first to start growing in the spring... about the same time as Musa Basjoo. While I have thought about tissue culturing this banana,I haven't looked into it yet. I'm still not sure that it is any cold hardier than Orinoco. Our temps haven't been cold enough to compare the two side by side. As for CalGold's hardiness, about all that I can say is that in my garden, it seems about right on par with musa Basjoo and Orinoco. Both tend to freeze right at the same temps as well as recover at the same time in the spring after a freeze. As I said before, CaGold Looks like its' in the same family as Orinoco, Blugoe, and Blue Java. As It has been stated before.... Bananas mutate readily, but I doubt that is much more frost hardier unless frost hardiness characteristic mutates within a cultivar as well. Those of you in the cooler zones will have to try it and let me know. I most likely will be back on Ebay selling pups next spring. As always the min. bid will be a reasonable $19 per 2 ft pup. I rarely have enough pups from the 3 plants that I grow to supply the demand. This tends to send the bidding up to silly levels at times. (914) California Gold - I think is a sport or a favorable mutation of Dwarf Orinoco. This was recognized by Jeff Earl, but still we don't have genetic proof that it is a sport. The main difference is that the California Gold consistently fruits every year in the Central Valley unlike the regular Dwarf Orinoco which require proper timing for successful fruiting. California Gold has been shown by Jeff to bloom and fruit even after the record breaking cold spell in the Central Valley when the night time temperature reaches 10 to 12 deg F and most pipes broke about a decade ago. Most other growers scoff at Jeff Earl: that [what] he is selling is still Dwarf Orinoco because the fruit and taste are really no different. Especially if you are growing this plant in Zone 10 and above, then there is really no added benefit. But because of the consistency of fruit production, this I think is something to consider for us here in the north. I bought California Gold at an eBay auction and it was really pricey, the price for a small pup ranged between $35-$115. Nevertheless, I also have the original Dwarf Orinoco and is now comparing it side by side with California Gold. (???) Here's my research on California Gold: Rare Dwarf banana plant that is proven to be the cold hardiest of all edible fruit-producing bananas in Northern California. An excellent cold hardy sport of dwarf orinoco, distantly related to Bluggoe. For more than 10 years, this banana has consistently produced an average of 25 lbs of good tasting yellow fruit in Northern California, thus nicknamed “California Gold - a real cold hardy fruit producer”. I don`t think there is any thing special or rare about this banana plant. I don`t think its' a mutation of Dwarf Orinoco. I think it IS Dwarf Orinoco. It is NOT a dessert type supermarket banana. It has to be VERY ripe if you want just peel it and eat it. It`s a great banana for cool areas. If you can`t get one from Jeff, you might try getting one from Going Bananas. (913) Jeff Earl also has a dwarf orinoco but is not as cold hardy as his California Gold. If you know about CRFG, some folks there confirmed that there is a big cold hardiness difference between dwarf orinoco and "California Gold" I also have dwarf orinoco which got wiped out during the record breaking cold spell sometime in the early 90's, but Jeff's banana shook off that record breaking cold spell in the valley. (906)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 5-6' (906), 6' (914)
HIGHLIGHTS: Cold-hardiness.

Giant Cavendish, Mons Mari, Williams, Williams Hybrid, Grand Naine (076) , Embun (060) (140)

DESCRIPTION:
[P]roduces wonderful tasting fruit as does the others in the Cavendish sub-group. A vigorous grower with wide green leaves. One of the more common grown varieties in the USA. (001) (010) [Leaves] measure, one foot wide and 5 ft. long. This South American banana grows [P]roduces commercial quantities of large bunches of full sized fruit for grocery chains. This particular cultivar has found great flavor in Florida as a backyard banana because of its' ability to reliably produce fruit with a minimum of care by the homeowner. (003) Cavendish are the most common variety of bananas grown by the hobbyist. The variety is very hardy and produces very large heads of fruit. The dwarf variety, which grows to 8 feet, is the most common backyard variety. The dwarf cavendish is dwarfed only in the size of the plant, the heads of fruit can weigh up to 70 pounds. At one time, the cavendish accounted for the majority of all commercially grown bananas, but has since been replaced by other varieties derived from the cavendish. The fruit is excellent tasting and can remain on the plant until ripe. Other varieties which are often classified along with the cavendish are: Valery, Williams Hybrid and Gran Nain. (027) [O]f uncertain origin, closely resembles the 'Gros Michel', and has replaced the 'Dwarf' in Colombia, Australia, Martinique, in many Hawaiian plantations, and to some extent in Ecuador. It is the commercial banana of Taiwan. The pseudostem is splashed with darkbrown, the bunch is long and cylindrical, and the fruits are larger than those of the 'Dwarf' and not as delicate. (076) The tree is 3.0m - 3.5m tall. The bunches are big weighing about 10 - 20 kg and each fruit is between 15 - 20cm. The skin is thick and the fruit is yellow when ripe. (060) (140) [F]ruit is bigger than Bungulan; peel is green when unripe, yellow when ripe; flesh is yellow when ripe; export quality; gestation period is six to eight months. (066) (067) {V} {EDIT} The dessert types are emas, berangan, rastali, udang and a new clone named cavendish (novaria) whereas the hardy fruits used in cooking and food processing are abu nipah, abu kapur, buloh, tanduk, awak, masam and nangka. (142)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 5-10' (067), 7-8' (001) (010), 10-16' (076), 14' (027), 17' (003)

CAVENDISH GROUP

DESCRIPTION:
Cavendish-type bananas are like those that typically found at the supermarket.' (056) In general, the Cavendish group is resistant to Panama disease, but is susceptible to Sigatoka. The characteristic that distinguishes the best known clones is the height of the pseudostem. The tallest clone is 'Lacatan' followed by 'Robusta' and 'Giant Cavendish,' 'Grand Nain,' and 'Dwarf Cavendish.' 'Valery,' a common type in Central America, is considered the same as 'Robusta' by some taxonomists. (028) The Cavendish subgroup includes several important bananas:c) 'Pisang masak hijau' , or 'Bungulan', the triploid Cavendish clone of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaya, is erroneously called 'Lacatan' in Jamaica where it replaced 'Gros Michel' because of its' immunity to Panama disease, though it is subject to Sigatoka (leaf spot). The plant is tall and slender and prone to wind injury. Its' fruits ripen unevenly in winter, bruise easily and are inclined to spoil in storage. It is no longer grown commercially in Jamaica and the Windward Islands. The fruits are commonly used as cooking bananas in Jamaican households. Simmonds declares this cultivar is not the true 'Lacatan' of the Philippines. He suggested that 'Pisang masak hijau' may have been the primary source of all the members of the Cavendish group. Cavendish group, the most consumed bananas in the western world. To date, there does not exist a pesticide to fight this soil-inhabiting organism, nor are there any Cavendish varieties that are resistant to fusarium wilt. (099) Cavendish cultivars have remained the mainstay of the world's export industries to date. These types are also highly favoured for local consumption in countries such as Australia, China, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Egypt and South Africa. Unfortunately, plantations of Cavendish cultivars in subtropical countries such as Taiwan, Spain (Canary Islands), Australia and South Africa are being increasingly attacked by Fusarium wilt. It is thought that plants in these areas are predisposed to systemic infection by certain strains of Foc [Fusarium] by cold stress during winter. However, recent losses of Cavendish growing in export plantations in Malaysia, Sumatra and Java make it clear that other strains are quite capable of systemically infecting cultivars such as (130) [The] subgroup of cultivated bananas called the 'Cavendish' subgroup ... is the source of the banana fruit in the UK shops. Banana cultivars of the 'Cavendish' subgroup vary in plant height but the fruit is essentially the same for each cultivar. There are many micropropagated clones available of 'Dwarf Cavendish' which differ for example in plant height and conformation and the extent and intensity of the purple blotches on the upper surface of the leaves.'(011) 'Grand Nain' is of medium height within the 'Cavendish' subgroup and is a useful commercial cultivar. (011) Banana cultivars differ in their susceptibility to Yellow Sigatoka with the Cavendish group (AAA) and 'Pome' (AAB) bananas being highly susceptible. 'Sucrier' (AA), 'Bluggoe' (ABB), and 'Silk' (AAB) are of intermediate susceptibility, while 'Mysore' is only slightly susceptible. Fungicides are available for control. (028)

CHINESE VARIETIES -

DWARF CAVENDISH - 4-6' [C]onsidered one of the best varieties for Florida. It is hardy and wind resistant. The fruit is of medium size and good quality. Now 'Gran Nain' is a better choice, having the same qualities with higher yield and resistance to cigar end rot. (056) [F]irst known from China and widely cultivated, especially in the Canary Islands, East Africa and South Africa. The plant is tall, with broad leaves on short petioles. It is hardy and wind resistant. The fruit is of medium size, of good quality, but thin-skinned and must be handled and shipped with care. (076)

ENANO - [A] dwarfed Cavendish cultivar. It is a good commercial variety that bears sweet fruit. 4-6'

GIANT CAVENDISH - [A]lso known as 'Mons Mari, 'Williams', 'Williams Hybrid', or 'Grand Naine', is of uncertain origin, closely resembles the 'Gros Michel', and has replaced the 'Dwarf' in Colombia, Australia, Martinique, in many Hawaiian plantations, and to some extent in Ecuador. It is the commercial banana of Taiwan. The pseudostem is splashed with darkbrown, the bunch is long and cylindrical, and the fruits are larger than those of the 'Dwarf' and not as delicate. (076)

GIANT CHINESE - (024)

GRAN NAIN - (024) [T]he commercial variety most often found in stores. It grows to 5-7 ft. It was derived from Dwarf Cavendish, and is grown on huge plantations in Central America. It is reportedly higher yielding, producing up to 150 lbs. of high quality fruit in the tropics. It also resists blossom end rot that can occur on Dwarf Cavendish. Gran Nain is, however, susceptible to Black Sigatoka, reducing its productivity in Florida and requiring aerial fungicide sprays on commercial plantations. (056)

HAMAKUA - (024)

JAMAICAN LACATAN - [F]ormerly the 'Chiquita' banana. It has great tasting fruit. The stem is fairly thin and needs to be propped up to support the fruit. Will bear after 16 months. Excellent quality fruit. 15' (056) Both the Jamaican [Lacatan] and cousin Philippine Lakatan are one of the Cavendish sub-group and produce a similar fruit in shape, texture and flavor. Only the height of the plants differ slightly; the Philippine [Lakatan} has more red in the leaf margins and is a little taller. Both produce good sized bunches of fruit that has delicious flavor. (001) (010)

LAKATAN - Philippine Lakatan [is] one of the Cavendish sub-group and produce a similar fruit in shape, texture and flavor [to Jamaican Lacatan]. Only the height of the plants differ slightly; the Philippine [Lakatan] has more red in the leaf margins and is a little taller. Both produce good sized bunches of fruit that has delicious flavor. (001) (010)

MONS MARI - (028) (076)

PISANG BUAI - (099)

PISANG MASAK HIJAU - (028)

PORTO RIQUE - (028)

ROBUSTA [V]ery similar to the so-called 'Lacatan', has largely replaced that cultivar in Jamaica and the Windward Islands and the 'Gros Michel' in Central America because it is shorter, thick-stemmed, less subject to wind. It is being grown commercially also in Brazil, eastern Australia, Samoa and Fiji. It is resistant to Panama disease but prone to Sigatoka. [Valery is a] triploid Cavendish clone, closely resembles 'Robusta' and some believe it may be the same. However, it is being grown as a successor to 'Robusta'.

VALERY or ROBUSTA - [A] commercially grown Cavendish type. It produces large heads of high quality fruit. Valery has proven both hardy and productive at ECHO [Educational Concerns for Haiti Organization]. Very similar to grocery store types. 10' (056) [A] triploid Cavendish clone, closely resembles 'Robusta' and some believe it may be the same. However, it is being grown as a successor to 'Robusta'. It is already more widely cultivated than 'Lacatan' for export. As compared with other clones in cooking trials, it has low ratings because cooking hardens the flesh and gives it a waxy texture. (076) [A] common type in Central America, is considered the same as 'Robusta' by some taxonomists. (028)

WILLIAMS or WILLIAMS HYBRID - [W]ind resistant and cold hardy. The Cavendish fruit is large and sweet with large bunches weighing up to 150 lbs. 6-8' (056)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAA (all?)
DISEASE: In general, Panama resistant, Sigatoka susceptible.
HIGHLIGHTS: Popularity

CAVENDISH TYPE
DESCRIPTION: My catch-all catgory for plants that are in the cavendish family but not specifically identified. (910)


TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:

CHENG KATHALI
SEE Kappa Pazham

CHINESE


DESCRIPTION:
{EDIT} Chinese bananas, which are small to medium in size with deep-yellow skins and yellowish, tender flesh. (143)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:

CHUOI RUNG HOA SOAN
VN1-054

DESCRIPTION: {EDIT}This photograph provided by Markku Häkkinen shows a flowering plant of VN1-054 at the Phu Ho Fruit Research Centre in Vietnam. This photograph provided by Markku Häkkinen shows vegetative plants of VN1-054 growing in a field collection (probably at the Phu Ho Fruit Research Centre) in Vietnam. It is notable that the suckers appear to be rather widely spaced.This photograph provided by Markku Häkkinen shows a close up of the male bud of VN1-054. The extraordinary colourful and imbricate bracts can be clearly seen. The photograph also shows a bract removed from the male bud with the male flowers attached. (065)


TYPE:
GENETICS: (065) HEIGHT:

CHUOI TAY

DESCRIPTION:
Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars, [including] Chuoi Tay (Vietnam), Kayinja (Africa), Kluai Namwa (Thailand) which belong to the ABB 'Pisang Awak' subgroup. (130)

TYPE:
GENETICS: ABB (130)
HEIGHT: Fusarium Susceptible.
DISEASE:
HIGHLIGHTS:

Uranoscopos (001) (010), Chuoi Tau (025)

DESCRIPTION:
This ornamental variety produces an erect inflorescence of brilliant red-orange color that lasts for weeks. Good for containerized growing in filtered light. (001) (010) The situation with this species is a little complicated. The names Musa coccinea and Musa uranoscopos are used interchangeably for the same small banana from Indo-China. It grows with bright green foliage and has an upright inflorescence with red bracts with yellow tips and yellow flowers. You may see it written that the flowers are blue; they are not. It may be that the two names, Musa coccinea and Musa uranoscopos, really do refer to a single species from Indo-China and if this is true then the correct name is Musa uranoscopos. Or it may be that there are two very similar species that nonetheless deserve different names. The true situation is not known for sure and it is not a simple matter to resolve. In the meantime both names are in use. The plant belongs to the Musa section Callimusa, well, for the time being it does anyway, there is emerging evidence that it does not quite fit there. The plant has been awarded an RHS AGM as Musa uranoscopus (note the difference in spelling [O vs U]) but there is no AGM-form as such. (011) UranoscopUs: The situation with this species is a little complicated. First, the spelling given in the Plant Finder is incorrect. The original (and correct) spelling of the epithet is "uranoscopos" meaning "star gazer" which is a wonderful ancient Greek name for a plant with an upright inflorescence. The spelling "uranoscopus" is an unnecessarily Latinised version of the name. Second, the names Musa uranoscopos and Musa coccinea are used interchangeably for the same small banana plant from Indo-China. It grows to about 1.5 m. high with bright green foliage and an upright inflorescence with red bracts with yellow tips and yellow flowers. You may see it written that the flowers are blue; they are not. It may be that the two names really do refer to a single species from Indo-China and if this is true then the correct name, being the older one, is Musa uranoscopos. Or it may be that there are two very similar species that nonetheless deserve different names. The true situation is not known for sure and it is not a simple matter to resolve. In the meantime both names are in use. The plant belongs to the Musa section Callimusa, well, for the time being it does anyway, there is emerging evidence that it does not quite fit there. The species has been awarded an RHS AGM as Musa uranoscopus but there is no AGM-form as such. (011) Best for subtropical to tropical locations. Grown mainly as an ornamental with good wine and pink color in the flowering bracts. Drought [t]olerance [is m]oderate. Suited for indoors [and] patios or verandas. Propagation [by s]eed or suckers. (038) A small, thin plant with a bright red, upright flower. Very beautiful for ornamental, tropical growing. Makes a great, low growing, natural fence in warm areas. Also great for indoor, container growing. (039)

TYPE: Ornamental
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 3-6' (001), 6' (039), 8' (038)
ORIGIN: Southeast Asia (038), IndoChina (011)
HIGHLIGHTS:

COCOS
Highgate (117), Dwarf Bluefields (024)

DESCRIPTION:
[A] dwarf form of Bluefields [which] makes it more windproof and easier to site in a sheltered spot. Bunch size and fruit quality are similar to Bluefields, but the individual bananas are shorter. The plant itself is beautiful with black and ivory contrasting in the coloration of the trunk. (007) A shorter mutation of Gros Michel, less susceptible to wind damage and slightly more productive. In our subtropical climate It has produced very large fruits of excellent quality. The plant is tender, and somewhat fragile. (009) 'Dwarf Bluefields' Variety. (054) LANGHE mentions the existence of 56 types different from bananas in Equatorial Africa. Many of these mutations happened towards dwarfed types, have been taken advantage of by their agronómico value, so it is the case of the ' Dwarf Cavendish' and the ' Cocos' (' Highgate '). (117)Trials of 5 clones of 'Giant Cavendish' and 9 other cultivars ('Robusta A', 'Robusta B', 'Cocos A', 'Cocos B', 'Golden Beauty', 'Enano Nautia', 'Enano Gigante', 'Enano' and 'Valery') were made between 1976 and 1979 at the Campo Agricola Experimental at Tecoman, Mexico. 'Enano Gigante' is the most widely grown cultivar in that region but the tests showed that 'Enano Nautia' and 'Golden Beauty' bore heavier bunches of better quality fruit, even though 'Enano Gigante' had a greater number of bunches and highest yield per ground area. 'Giant Cavendish' clones 1, 2, 3 and 4, and 'Cocos B' grew very tall, gave low yields and the fruit was of poor quality. (076) Beautiful plant similar to bluefields but smaller (063) Consistently large bunches with good sized fruit, mild flavor, somewhat dry, though it is OK in a juicy fruit salad. Quite possibly possesses some cold tolerance. (910) A dwarfed form is also known the 'Gros Michel', denominated 'Cocos' in America Center. (117)

TYPE: COOKING, DESERT (?)
GENETICS: AAA (Highgate) (009)
HEIGHT: 10-15' (009),11' (910), 14-16 (007) Some spltting of peel. (910)
HIGHLIGHTS:

COLORADO BLANCO

DESCRIPTION:
[Has] similar qualities to the Jamaican Red in its' growth, fruit character and quality. A desirable ornamental plant. (052) Both the plant, in its' nature of growth and the fruit in its' character and quality, resemble Jamaican Red and Green Red, but the color of the fruit skin is yellow. A desirable plant from both an ornamental and a productive standpoint. (007) In appearance much like the Dwarf Jamaican Red. A large strikingly beautiful plant with the reddish trunk of a STD red culminating into a white crown and leaf bases. The fruit is yellow. (009) {check actual source} Resembles Jamacian red with a yellow skinned fruit, ornamental. (063)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAA (009)
HEIGHT: 20-25' (007) (009), 25" (052)
HIGHLIGHTS:

COMMON DWARF

DESCRIPTION:
'Maricongo', 'Common Dwarf', 'Pelipita', 'Saba' are the leading cultivars. In Florida, 'Macho' is grown as a dooryard cultivar. (098)

TYPE:
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COOKING VARIETIES

DESCRIPTION:

BALONGKAUE - The fruit has a bluish/green outer appearance, with white flesh. Is a very sturdy and attractive plant that can be eaten out of hand when very ripe. 12' (004)

CARDABA - A Philippine variety that is a truly an attractive plant with a bluish hue to the fruit and very white pulp. The fruit is stubby and irregular in shape but can get quite large. 10-12' (004)

DWARF ORINOCO - Named from the region in South America near the Orinoco river where they grew profusely, they are also called the horse banana or "burro". These angulated cooking bananas are also a tasty treat out of hand when fully ripe. Their versatility make them popular in many regions of the world. 5-6' (004)

ELE ELE - A Hawaiian cooking variety that is known for its' very dark pseudostem. Sometimes called the Hawaiian Black, it gets a purplish hue, especially in more acid volcanic type soil. Full sized fruit. 14' (004)

HA'A - [I]n the Hilahila sub group of Polynesian cooking bananas includ[ing] the WHITE IHOLENA and RED IHOLENA. The Ha'a is the shortest of the group and produces fruit that are yellowish from the onset, making it difficult to determine when to harvest. (Do not use color as the only indicator to pick your fruit). 6-8' (004)

HUA MOA - Polynesian [variety] that is short and stubby but packed with flavor. These make wonderful tostones and maduros as well as other banana recipes. The large full leaves and fat, rounded fruit make this a great looking plant. 12' (004)

KAULAU - Hawaiian in heritage, ... of excellent quality. A sturdy vigorous plant which produces large bunches of fruit. 16' (005) 6" long plump fruit with yellow flesh in very large bunches to 60+ lbs. (052)

KOFI - From Papau New Guinea, a member of the Iholena sub group which is a combination cooking-dessert banana that rated highest in the TREC (University of Florida / Tropical Research and Education Center) tasting tests. (004)

MAIA MAOLI - This Polynesian variety has delicious flavor and statuesque elegance. It is mostly green with slight red colors in the pseudostem giving serious competition to the other cooking varieties. 12-14' (004)

MANAIULA - An excellent Hawaiian cooking banana. Quite vigorous, produces medium bunches of orange fleshed fruit. Red coloration in new growth and suckers. Underside of leaf and midrib washed in pink. An attractive plant. (007)

MAQUENO - A cooking banana from Ecuador, has a solid greet stout trunk with chubby 4-5 inch fruit. The plant is resistant to sigatoka and other diseases making it a good substitute in countries where this is a commercial problem. 12' (004)

MONTHAN - [F]rom South India. Similar to the Bluggoe or Orinoco in size and versatility. 10-12' (004)

PELIPITA A dark green plant produces a cooking banana that is angulated in shape. It is a hardy plant resistant to disease, which is why it is used as a progenitor for many other hybrids. 10-12' (004)

ORINOCO - Named from the region in South America near the Orinoco river where they grew profusely, they are also called the horse banana or "burro". These angulated cooking bananas are also a tasty treat out of hand when fully ripe. Their versatility make them popular in many regions of the world. 12-14' (004)

POPOULU - Polynesian banana with superb flavor. Its' short stout fruit and dark green foliage make it a magnificent looking specimen as well as great tasting treat. 12-14' (004)

RED IHOLENA - This versatile variety is not only beautiful, with the underside of the leaves being a soft burgundy color, but also used for eating out of hand, dehydrating and cooking. The others in the Hilahila sub group of Polynesian cooking bananas include the WHITE IHOLENA and HA'A. All are excellent for a multitude of uses. 10-12' (004)

SABA - The "sequoia" of the banana plants with huge pseudostem (range 12-24" diameter). The wonderful tasting cooking banana makes the best tostones we have ever eaten. A sturdy plant and somewhat cool tolerant. (A must for the collector). 16-20' (004)

WHITE IHOLENA - [I]n the Hilahila sub group of Polynesian cooking bananas include the RED IHOLENA and HA'A. The White is devoid of the burgundy coloration but produces a similar fruit. All are excellent for a multitude of uses. 8-10' (004)

CROSS
See Sumatrana x "Gran Nain"

CUBAN RED

DESCRIPTION:
Lady finger type of fruit (063) Intense red color in leaf stem as it separates from the pseudostem. Pseudostem is redder when first exposed by trimming older leaves, and then fades over time with contact with sunlight. (910) {See 1988 CRFG Yearbook} {EDIT} Cuban bananas, which are medium to large in size with skin that is yellow-orange with some red. The flesh can be creamy white to pinkish, with a strong smell. (143) {See 1988 CRFG Yearbook}

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAA (909)
HEIGHT: 14' (909), 14' (910)
HIGHLIGHTS: Intense Coloration.

DACCA
Green Dacca, Green Red (Musa Dacca Horan) (025)

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
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DATIL
SEE Lady Finger

DEL MONTE

DESCRIPTION:
Exact name unknown. Brought directly to Southern California from a commercial Del Monte plantation in Costa Rica. Average cold tolerance, slender trunks, fruiting height unknown. (009) Like San Jose and [Argenteno], introduced to San Diego directly from a plantation in Central America. (009)

TYPE:
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DHUSRE
See Monthan

DICHOTOMOUS
Doubling, (009) Gros Michel (009)

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS:
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DOMINICA
See French Horn

DOUBLE
Mahoi, Mai'a mahoe (Twin banana) (107)

DESCRIPTION:
This beautiful Cavendish type has very wide, dark green leaves and produces a full sized fruit. [T]he second generation produces multiple bunches of fruit, usually 2 but sometimes more. (001) (010) Rare and hard to find, [it] has the ability to produce 2 or more bunches of sweet bananas at the same time. Mahoi means twin in Hawaiian. (052) Dichotomous fruiting head. From a single trunk this mutation of a triploid Acuminata produces two flower buds. The plant resembles a dwarf Cavendish, growing a single bud for the first generation, then doubling as it reaches its' full size. Tender. (009) This is a somewhat imprecise name referring to a mutant that produces a fruit bunch that divides into two as it grows, i.e. it is dichotomous. {NOTE} This mutation has occurred in three different banana types in 'Dwarf Cavendish and 'Gross Michel' in the AAA group and in 'Maia Maiole' in the AAB group. At the time of writing I am not sure to which of the above this plant belongs. (011) Two to four heads of sweet fruit resembling the cavendish in taste and size. First generation may only send out one head (063) Stout trunk. Sweet tasting, similar to Cavendish. Called Double because its' second generation can produce two (or more ) large heads of fruit simultaneously and may weigh over 100 lb. (105) [Fruit is perpendicular to the stalk. (038) Mahoi is a mutation of the common dwarf 'Cavendish', and grows similarly. This cultivar almost always produces two large heads of fruit and can occassionally produce a third. This sweet fruit is highly rated and it can ve very productive. This is a rare and unusual Musa. (031) (032) (040) All the varieties [of banana] were kapu (forbidden) to woman except for three types. These types were mai'a hapai (pregnant banana), mai'a popo ulu (breadfruit-like ball shaped banana) and mai'a mahoe (twin banana). (107) Mai'a = banana.

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAB (Maoli group) (006), AAA (009)
HEIGHT: 5-6' (001), 5-7' (052), 4-8' (009), 7' (038), 5' (910)
HIGHLIGHTS: Multiple Fruit Heads

DUCASSE
Pisang Awak (032), Blue Java, Ice Cream (025)

DESCRIPTION:
The origin of this banana is Australia, and is a very hardy cultivar. [A] particularly vigorous and hardy banana. [H]as up to 77lb/35kg bunches of tightly packed, small bananas with a light wax bloom. This is the most important banana of Thailand. Suceptible to Panama disease. (Note: it is somewhat fertile, and if it is pollinated it may have hard, black seeds inside). In spite of the seeds, worth trying. (058)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 10-14' (032), 16' (058)
ORIGIN: Australia (032)
DISEASE: Black sigatoka resistant. Panama susceptibe. (126)
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF BLUEFIELDS

DESCRIPTION:


TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF BRAZILIAN
Santa Catarina Prata (079) Dwarf Apple, Santa Catarina Prata (009), Prata (038) , Dwarf Hawaiian Apple (063)

DESCRIPTION:
Vigorous. Reputed to have fruit quality comparable to its' namesake. New to California. (009) Having fruit with same delicious flavor as the Brazillian. The Dwarf is perfect where height o[r] heavy winds are a problem. [P]roduces 25 to 50 lbs. of 4- 6" long bananas. (052) [P]roduces 25-50 lb. bunches of 5 to 6-inch long fruit with a flavor identical to that of Brazilian. The Dwarf Brazilian is excellent as a substitute where the standard Brazilian is too tall or high winds are a problem. (007) (047) [M]edium sized bananas have an excellent flavor and are very sweet. The tree is tough, strong and cold hardy with good wind resistance. The stalk has some pink and the leaves are solid green. This plant has proven to be very useful in small tropical gardens where tasty fruit is desired. (003) This is very similar to the larger 'Brazilian', but much shorter. Its' sweet bananas are also smaller than that of the 'Brazilian'. It should be grown more widely, as it has good wind resistance and very tasty fruit. Its' smaller stature makes it more suited to small gardens, greenhouses, and large containers. (032) The petite Dwarf Brazillian ... produces more compact heads of 6 inch fruit with the same shape and very sweet taste as it`s taller parent the Brazilian. This variety prefers full sun and rich, moist fertile soil and is great for container growing. (039) [P]roduces the same superb fruit [as the taller Brazilian Lady Finger]. A real favorite for appearance and flavor. (001) One of the tastiest of the dessert bananas. Dwarf brother [of Brazilian] that ... and produces the same superb fruit. A real favorite for appearance and flavor. (001) (010)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAB (?) (028)
HEIGHT: 6' (038), 6-8' (009) (910), (032), 8' (003), 10-15 (052) (007)
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF CAVENDISH
Dwarf Chinese, Enano, Pisang Serendah, Governor, Johnson (028), Klue Hom Kom (025), Pisang Badak (025), Pisang Kapal (025)

DESCRIPTION:
A beautiful plant which is a reliable producer of 4 to 6-inch bananas of exceptional flavor and sweetness. Plant is very stout with closely spaced wide, dark green leaves. The most widely distributed cultivar in the world. Good in containers. (007) Commercial banana in the Canary islands for export to Europe. Fruit is of good quality, and has performed well in many areas of California, but suffers from cigar end rot in the winter. Average hardiness, sturdy. (009) This plant is a female-sterile triploid cultivar of banana derived from Musa acuminata. Cultivated fruit bananas are correctly named by reference to their genome groups. 'Dwarf Cavendish' belongs to a subgroup of cultivated bananas called the 'Cavendish' subgroup that is the source of the banana fruit in the UK shops. Banana cultivars of the 'Cavendish' subgroup vary in plant height but the fruit is essentially the same for each cultivar. There are many micropropagated clones available of ... which differ for example in plant height and conformation and the extent and intensity of the purple blotches on the upper surface of the leaves. [P]roduces parthenocarpic fruit, it does not need the stimulus of developing seed after fertilisation to develop. [L]ike almost all edible bananas, is female-sterile and does not produce seed even if the flowers are pollinated. [P]roduces large bunches of medium-sized fruit. It is widely planted and better adapted to the cool climate of the subtropics than most other commercial cultivars. 'Dwarf Cavendish' is recommended for south Florida where, in frost-free years and with good care, it produces abundant fruit. (028) Very stout with wide leaves and exceptionally sweet & tasty 5" yellow fruit. The most popular banana in the world. Originated in Canary Islands. (030) The most popular greenhouse banana, will bear bunches with up to 90 bananas, each slightly shorter than the 'grocery-store' varieties. It ... has a solid heavy trunk. Juvenile leaves will have some reddish-purple markings, but later leaves will be all green. This Musa is a fast grower with great appeal to the mass market. (032) [P]roduces wonderful tasting fruit. A vigorous grower with wider green leaves. One of the more common grown varieties in the USA. It is often seen container grown in back yards and botanical gardens alike. Produces large bunches of full sized sweet smooth fruit. (010) [C]onsidered one of the best varieties for Florida. It is hardy and wind resistant. The fruit is of medium size and good quality. Now 'Gran Nain' is a better choice, having the same qualities with higher yield and resistance to cigar end rot. (056) [A] common variety in home gardens because of it's relatively small size and tolerance to a wide range of conditions, including cool. The bananas are essentially the same as 'Williams'. Suceptible to Panama disease. Needs warmer temperatures than the warm temperate zone can provide.Not recommended. (058) This variety grows to 6' and with ideal conditions will produce edible bananas similar to those in your supermarket. It's boat shaped leaves are 4' wide and 6' long. Requires constant warmth, high humidity, 12 hrs. bright light & porous soil mixture(105) Grown in East Africa, South Africa, and the Canary Islands. (098) Large heavy flower clusters with reddish to dark purple bracts, yellow flowers. Can bear 6" bananas in warm S. California climates. (068) [O]ne of the best tub plants for indoor (green house, sun room) growing, small sized plant that produces fresh great tasting bananas. (074) Beautiful plant that is very stout and has wide leaves, the fruit is exceptionally sweet. This is the most popular banana in the world (063) This cultivar is easily recognized because the male bracts and flowers are not shed. (076){note} Smallest at 4 ft. Ideal for indoor planting. Some growers found it to be not overly vigorous. At least one other person maintained that it was very vigorous. Clearly, within the limitations of its' genetics, this variety is sensitive to environmental factors such as competition, heat, etc. It, like the 'Apple', produces a smallish banana. (097) [Fruit is c]urved upward (obliquely, at a 45° angle upward). (038) This tropical beauty is excellent planted in the garden or used as a container speciman. Its' showy leaves can grow to 24 inches in width and 4 1/2 feet in length. It is very wind resistant due to its' short stature. This gem produces a very large bunch of sweet tastey 5 inch bananas. This one is a must for everyone. (039) In general, the Cavendish group is resistant to Panama disease, but is susceptible to Sigatoka. The characteristic that distinguishes the best known clones is the height of the pseudostem. The tallest clone is 'Lacatan' followed by 'Robusta' and 'Giant Cavendish,' 'Grand Nain,' and 'Dwarf Cavendish.' 'Valery,' a common type in Central America, is considered the same as 'Robusta' by some taxonomists. (028) Some of the more distinctive of these clones have been given brand names in the trade which may or may not be apparent when the plants are sold in UK garden centres and supermarkets. The clone sold under the brand name of "Bananarama" with a "scratch 'n sniff" banana-shaped label is particularly dwarf. There are others in the trade called, for example, "Tropicana" and "Chyla Dwarf". [It] produces parthenocarpic fruit, it does not need the stimulus of developing seed after fertilisation to develop. [L]ike almost all edible bananas, [it] is female-sterile and does not produce seed even if the flowers are pollinated. You cannot grow 'Dwarf Cavendish' from seed as there is no such thing as seed of 'Dwarf Cavendish'! It can be fruited in the UK but only under protection[,] with a winter night minimum of about 18C and ... adequate light, space and nutrition. (011)[A] mutation that produces a fruit bunch that divides into two as it grows ... has occurred in three different banana types in 'Dwarf Cavendish and 'Gross Michel' in the AAA group and in 'Maia Maiole' in the AAB group. (011) It was derived from Dwarf Cavendish, and is grown on huge plantations in Central America. [Gran Nain] is reportedly higher yielding, producing up to 150 lbs. of high quality fruit in the tropics. It also resists blossom end rot that can occur on Dwarf Cavendish. (056) [D]ichotomous ... is a somewhat imprecise name referring to a mutant that produces a fruit bunch that divides into two as it grows. This mutation has occurred in three different banana types in 'Dwarf Cavendish and 'Gross Michel' in the AAA group and in 'Maia Maiole' in the AAB group. klue/kluai = banana (Thai) kom = dwarf (Thai)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAA(006) (011) (028) (038) (064) (098) (025)
HEIGHT: 4' (097), 5' (010) , 6' (030), 6-8 (009) (068), 8' (058), 8-10 (032)
ORIGIN: Canary Islands (030)
HIGHLIGHTS: Short plant, widely cultivated.

DWARF COLORADO BLANCO

DESCRIPTION:
Dwarf size Colorado Blanco (063) Trunk, petioles, and midribs resemble the Jamaican Red, but the fruit is orange-fleshed, while the skin is green and ripens to yellow. (056)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 7-8' (056)
HIGHLIGHTS: Orange colored flesh.

.

DWARF FRENCH PLANTAIN

DESCRIPTION:
This sport of French Plantain is very prolific, it produces larger bunches of fruit than the French Plantain but with smaller fingers. It is tolerant of wilt and less susceptible to wind damage. (032)

TYPE: PLANTAIN
GENETICS: AAB (025)
HEIGHT: 5-6' (032)
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF GREEN RED
DESCRIPTION:
Banana is green in color having reverted from a red color.

TYPE: 5-7' (910)
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:

DWARF GROS MICHAEL
Bluefileds, Pisang Ambon, Guineo gigante, Banano, Plantano roatan (028) , Kluai Hom Thong (025) , Pisang Ambon (025)

DESCRIPTION:
Once the only commercial variety seen on grocery shelves now replaced by Grand Nain due to its sensitivity to fusarium wilt. Although it has a superb flavor, it is not promoted as it once was. (011) (010) The standard cultivar for the banana industry for 70 years, Its fruits are very large and of outstanding quality. Furthermore, because of the symmetry of the bunches and upward curve of the individual fingers the entire stalk could be transported directly to distant markets. Because of its susceptibility to Panama disease, Gros Michel's dominance of the banana industry has been eclipsed by the Cavendish cultivars. The plant [is] somewhat slender in stature requiring propping and sensitive to cold. At present it is not known whether it has been successfully fruited in California. In Florida, however, it is considered marginal. (009) [D]oes not produce well in Florida. It has poor cold tolerance and is susceptible to Panama disease. It is not recommended for planting in the home landscape or commercially. (028) Formerly the most widely cultivated banana in the western hemisphere, it has now been phased out due to susceptibility to Panama disease (Fusarium wilt). It has produced several clones and has been used as the parent for newer cultivars. Male sterile. (098) Fusarium wilt is a serious problem on many banana cultivars. Widely grown clones in the AAA 'Gros Michel' subgroups are also susceptible. (130) [T]here is the group represented by the prominent and widely cultivated 'Gros Michel' originally from Burma, Thailand, Malaya, Indonesia and Ceylon. It was introduced into Martinique early in the 19th Century by a French naval officer and, a few years later, was taken to Jamaica; from there it was carried to Fiji, Nicaragua, Hawaii and Australia, in that sequence. It is a large, tall plant bearing long bunches of large, yellow fruits, and it was formerly the leading commercial cultivar in Central Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, but has been phased out because of its great susceptibility to Panama disease. It has given rise to several named sports or mutants. (076) Gros Michel was the basis of the early export banana trade in the Latin America/Caribbean region and it was the progressive decline of plantations of this cultivar due to Fusarium wilt in the 1940-50s that led to the adoption of cultivars in the AAA 'Cavendish' Subgroup as the main export banana types. (???) [A] mutation that produces a fruit bunch that divides into two as it grows ... has occurred in three different banana types in 'Dwarf Cavendish and 'Gross Michel' in the AAA group and in 'Maia Maiole' in the AAB group. (011) During the '60s and '70s when you went to the grocery store you bought a banana called a Gros Michel. They were a little larger and MUCH better tasting than the bananas that are available in the stores today. However, the banana plant that produces the Gros Michel is very susceptible to Panama Wilt which devastated the banana plantations back then. We therefore can only buy the Gran Nain variety in the store, which is much more disease tolerant. (079) hom = fragrant (Thai)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAA (028) (025) (098)
HEIGHT: 6-8' (011)
DISEASE: Fusarim susceptible.
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF JAMAICAN RED
Dwarf Cuban Red, Macaboo

DESCRIPTION:
This tree ... produces medium size, aromatic fruit with brilliant reddish purple skin and a soft orange pulp. This tree is a dependable producer and its' strong leaf texture makes it resistant to high winds. The trunk is red and the midrib of the leaf is reddish purple. This banana tree is widely heralded for its' superior quality fruit that is tender, moist and sweet with a custard-like texture. (003) A beautiful and outstanding dwarf variety with dull red leaves and trunk producing excellent quality maroon colored fruit with sweet orange flesh. (052) A dwarf form of the Jamaican Red, one-third the height of the standard variety. Use for a more easily managed plant where height is not desired. More easily protected from wind, more easily harvested and quicker to bear, but does not have the grandeur or presence of the larger form. (007) Plant and its' fruits retain all of the features found on the STD red. Tender. (009) This is a somewhat imprecise name that could refer to Musa (AAA group) 'Red' but is instead probably a clone of Musa (AAB group) 'Jamaica Red'. The plant is a chimera with one layer of "red" tissue fitted like a glove over a two part "green" core. Chimeras are notoriously unstable and the red and green tissue types tend to separate out. In practice, when this happens the green core bursts out of the red "glove" forming all green plants and the red layer effectively disappears. In cultivation therefore, suckers may spontaneously revert to the all green state. They don't revert back! (011) This edible banana variety has the added plus of a sturdy reddish trunk and pink pseudostem. Maroon colored fruit with orange flesh and good flavor. (030) [A] colorful and very desirable plant. The stout, red trunked banana is not only beautiful, but produces top quality sweet, moist fruit with a buttery consistency. The unique skin of the banana is from dark red, to almost purple. (039) Dwarf form of Jamaican Red is less impressive in appearance. 28 months to harvest. (052) Very beautiful plant with red pseudostem and green leaves. Maroon colored fruit with orange flesh and good flavor (063) Red fruit with orange flesh, very rich. Produces very high quality fruit with pleasing flavor. (096) Bunches are small. Not cold tolerent: suffers considerably with temps in the low-to-mid 40s. Took 6-8 months longer to bear than most others. (910)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: AAA (006) (009) (011), AAB (064)
HEIGHT: 6' (910), 6-8' (052) 7-8' (007) 6-8' (009) (030) 7' (039) (052), 10' (003)
HIGHLIGHTS: Red coloration of pseudostem and fruit.
PROBLEMS: Very cold sensitive.

DWARF KALAPUA

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF MACABOO
Dwarf Red (001), Dwarf Cuban Red, Dwarf Jamaican Red, Dwarf Colorado, Dwarf Indio (001)

DESCRIPTION:
Known by many names in the world, this very sweet lady finger fruit is most beautiful. It turns "sunset" colors when ripening from dark burgundy to orange, yellow-green and muted colors in between. The full bodied flavor and distinctive sweetness makes it worth the wait of 18-28 months to give fruit. [Has] a dark maroon pseudostem. (001)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 8' (001)

DWARF MONS MARI

DESCRIPTION:
Smaller tree than the Mons Mari but the same size bunches of fruit. (078)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF NAMWAH
Pisang Awak (010), Dwarf Namwa (010), Klu Nam Wa (021), Nam Weh (056)

DESCRIPTION:
[T]hrough out the world, this group of lady finger bananas produce large sized bunches of sweet delicious fruit that is prized in the Indoesian areas as well as the U.S. Somewhat sensitive to Panama disease (fusarium wilt). (001) (010) (032) This banana tree produces fruit that is considered the tastiest, sweetest and highest quality fruit of all. Midrib under leaf is mauve. The underside of a young leaf is reddish brown, turning green with maturation. Grows 10' to 14'. Zones 8-11(003) [E]dible raw fruits, useful leaves & rinds (021) This banana from Thailand is the most commonly grown cultivar in that country. It is drought resistant and vigorous. (032) [A] Thai banana, produces angular fruit with excellent sweet flavor. Fruit, growth habit, and hardiness are very similar to the 'Ice Cream' banana, but Nam Weh is disease resistant and lacks the silvery-colored peel. (056) Grown extensively in Thailand. Drought resistant. Very tasty fruit. (032)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: ABB (032)
HEIGHT: 7' (910), 10' (010),10-14 (032) (003)
ORIGIN: THAILAND (032) (056)
DISEASE: Panama sensitive.
HIGHLIGHTS: The favorite of my Cambodian neighbor. (910)

DWARF NAMWAH PEARL

DESCRIPTION:
This is a varigated 'Dwarf Namwah'. (032)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 6-7 (032)
HIGHLIGHTS:

(032)

DWARF NINO

DESCRIPTION:
This rapid grower is great in containers, where it will quickly grow to a height of about 4 to 5 feet. The fruit is thin-skinned and short, but exquisitely sweet. (032)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 4-5' (container) (032), 10' (032)
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF ORINOCO
Chamaluco enano (006), Chamaluco enana (038), Quadrano (011), Better Select (009), Bluggoe (009), Horse (076), Hog (076), Burro (076)

DESCRIPTION:
Same as Orinocco, ... and is quite shade-tolerant. The most common banana in Southern California, having been grown in this area for over one hundred years. It is semi-hardy, drought-resistant, tolerant of many soil types. The fruit is very plump, with a distinct angular shape. While it has a good flavor, the texture suffers from a pithy core. (009) [A] small vigorous plant that is solid green and has a thick stem. It is a heavy bearer of thick skinned fruit of very good eating quality. There is very little curvature to the fruit and the fruit can ripen on the plant without splitting. The plant is hardy and withstands cold temperatures and wind, but must be supported when carrying large heads of fruit. (032) Large angular fruit with salmon flesh in small clusters. Best when cooked. Has been grown in S. California for over a hundred years. HARDIEST BANANA. (052) A sport of 'Orinoco'. Fruit, the same as the original. 'Orinoco' is not all that large to begin with, so this is a great variety for small places and arguably the best one to start with in a marginal climate since it is small enough to be easily protected in real severe conditions. Reported to be quite shade tolerant. (079) [R]esembles its' taller progenitor 'Orinoco' Plantain, except for bearing larger racemes of fruit. [T]his hardy cultivar is thought to be the most productive variety per square foot. (056) Relatively cold tolerant fairly reliable bearer with quite large, 6 inch, very sweet, angular, bright yellow, astringency free, soft fruit with a rather distinct tough central 'core'. In cooler years the fruit can be rather thin, with dense flesh and moderate sweetness, but they are never astringent. Worth a place in a collection. (058) Cold tolerant reliable bearer with large, sweet fruit. (096) Considered a relatively problem-free variety. (097) A dwarf cultivar suited for small gardens or indoor. Like the Orinoco cultivar, it is both wind and cold resistant.Hardy burro type, large angular fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. (063) A dwarf cultivar suited for small gardens or indoor. Like the Orinoco cultivar, it is both wind and cold resistant. (038) Named from the region in South America near the Orinoco river where they grew profusely. These angulated cooking bananas are also a tasty treat out of hand when fully ripe. Their versatility make them popular in many regions of the world. (001) (004) (010) The correct name for this cultivar is probably Musa (ABB group) 'Quadrano' although it is now very widely known as 'Orinoco'. The name 'Orinoco' is due to W. O. Lessard who first encountered the plant growing by the Orinoco River. Lessard was a pioneer banana nurseryman in Florida who wrote a very influential but sometimes inaccurate book on bananas. It is a shame that Lessard seemingly chose to re-name the plant because it seems there is another 'Orinoco' on Cuba belonging to the AAB group. Also the name 'Quadrano' nicely refers to the strongly 4-angled fruit, common among plants of the ABB genotype. It is a dual purpose banana and can be used for cooking as a vegetable or when fully ripe eaten as a Dessert fruit. 'Orinoco' is one of those cultivars that gives the lie to the suggestion that there is a real distinction between dessert "bananas" and cooking "plantains". But its' main claim to fame is its' hardiness. [O]ne of the most cold tolerant bananas bearing edible fruit. If it is possible to fruit a banana outdoors in the UK, and they are not likely to be as flavoursome as those from the supermarket, it is likely that it will be 'Orinoco' or 'Rajapuri'. In the USA, mature leaves of Orinoco have been reported to be hardy to -32 degF with wind, see the following website (inop as of 08/01/2004): http://unix.utb.edu/~paullgj/tropicalagriculture/tropag.html (011) [T]his is the banana of choice for making tostones, it originates from the Orinoco river valley of Venezuela , ... and will produce heads of fruit as much as 65 pounds. It has a triangular shaped fruit that is 8 to 10 inches long. It is actually 1/2 banana and 1/2 plantain. When fried is makes a great breakfast treat or serve them fried for dinner with black beans and rice and eat as a plaintain. When ripe it turns a golden yellow and the banana is super sweet [and] delicious eaten out of hand. When eaten green it is like a vegatable. This is the most versatile banana of the lot, it is delicious when you dehydrate them into chips as well. (013a) One of most common bananas along Gulf Coast. Hardy, vigorous, produces large racemes of angular fruit, which can be eaten fresh or cooked. Hardy burro type. (030) This is the most commonly grown banana in South Florida. The 'Orinoco' is a solid green banana that grows to about 16 feet. If it is crowded it can achieve 20 feet. 'Orinoco' or 'Burro' or 'Horse' grows to 10-12 ft. This dual-purpose banana is delicious when used like a green plantain or eaten fresh when ripe. The fruit tastes best when left on the plant until yellow. The angular fruit is 8 to 10 inches long and thick. Long established in Florida, this hardy variety can endure wind and cold. Orinoco needs to be supported when carrying large heads of fruit. (056) Same as the dwarf, angular shaped fruit eaten fresh or cooked (063) [A] medium tall, sturdy plant, is particularly hardy. The bunch consists of only a few hands of very thick, 3 angled fruits about 6 in (15 cm) long. The flesh has a salmon tint, is firm, edible raw when fully ripe but much better cooked fried, baked or otherwise, as are plantains. (076) [Data on Orinoco, which is probably applicable to the dwarf form.} Probably the best cold-tolerant fruiting banana, along with its' dwarf sport 'Dwarf Orinoco,' this bullet-proof variety is THE one to try if you only have space for one plant. It only gets to about 10'. It has been successfully fruited in Phoenix, Arizona and darn near every year in one garden in Modesto, California. Probably a plantain or plantain hybrid, it was found by its' introducer growing along the Orinoco River in Venezuela but is originally from India. Fruits are short, thick, and heavily angled. Flavor is about like a Cavendish (store banana) when fully ripe, or they can be cooked green like plantains. The fruit should be turning yellow before being removed from the stalk or they will be very starchy and not sweet. It can sometimes have a pithy core. This one, like most ABB types, probably needs a good, hot summer for decent fruit production, though it is known to produce along the coast - eventually. It has been grown in California for over a hundred years and is known for drought tolerance. (079) RE: "California Gold: I don`t think there is any thing special or rare about this banana plant. I don`t think its' a mutation of Dwarf Orinoco. I think it IS Dwarf Orinoco. It is NOT a dessert type supermarket banana. It has to be VERY ripe if you want just peel it and eat it. It`s a great banana for cool areas. If you can`t get one from Jeff, you might try getting one from Going Bananas. (913) Jeff Earl also has a dwarf orinoco but is not as cold hardy as his California Gold. If you know about CRFG, some folks there confirmed that there is a big cold hardiness difference between dwarf orinoco and "California Gold" I also have dwarf orinoco which got wiped out during the record breaking cold spell sometime in the early 90's, but Jeff's banana shook off that record breaking cold spell in the valley. (906) Yupper, AM-Hydro has one of his plants from last year and I sent him a Dwarf Orinoco. The plants aren't showing much difference. The Dwarf Orinoco has fruited and waiting on Jeff's to fruit. [M]y Dwarf Orinoco made it last year in greenhouse (zone 7b-8a) and i forgot heaters 3 nites [that were] below freezing. Where as the super dwarfs and Dwarf Cavendish looked like hell made over. [T]he Dwarf Orinoco has made it in zone 9 thru winter to fruit without digging or any special coverages. (907)

TYPE: DESSERT
GENETICS: ABB (006) (064) (079) (011)
HEIGHT: 4-6' (009), 5-6'(011), 5-8' (032), 6' (097), 6-7' (038) (056), 7' (052)
ORIGIN: India (079), Venezuela (011)
HIGHLIGHTS: Cold tolerance and flesh color.

DWARF PLANTAIN

DESCRIPTION:


TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF PRATA

DESCRIPTION:
[Parent of Goldfinger] (032) Brazilian apple-flavoured Dwarf Prata clone. (042)

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF PUERTO RICAN

DESCRIPTION:
[A] dwarf mutant plantain. The heads of fruit are a little larger than the original Plantain bearing seven to nine hands of fruit. The shorter trunks of the dwarf plantains are thicker than the tall ones and because of this [are] more resistant to the wind and rarely fall over from the weight of their own fruit. It is widely grown in Puerto Rico for its' taste and cooking qualities. The majority of plantains grow tall. [This one] is an exception. It is resistant to Panama Disease. (032) It has a distinctive bronze colored trunk and leaves. Plant in a warm and well-protected site with optimal growing conditions. (056)

TYPE: PLANTAIN
GENETICS:
HEIGHT: 6-8' (032) (056)
DISEASE: Panama resistant
HIGHLIGHTS:

(032)

DWARF RED

Dwarf Cuban Red, Dwarf Jamaican, Dwarf Colorado (010), Dwarf Indio (010), Dwarf Macaboo (010)

DESCRIPTION:
One of many red-skinned banana cultivars, this one stays short and takes up little space. Most red bananas are much esteemed for good tasting fruit, and this one is no exception. This cultivar also has red pseudostems. A favorite small banana, the red bananas take longer to ripen than most. The skin should be almost black before it is ripe enough to eat. (032) A favorite small banana. Very tasty . The skin should be almost black before it is ripe enough to eat. (038) [T]his very sweet lady finger fruit is most beautiful. It turns "sunset" colors when ripening from dark burgundy to orange, yellow-green and muted colors in between. The full bodied flavor and distinctive sweetness makes it worth the wait of 18-28 months to give fruit. (001) (010) Plant and its' fruits retain all of the features found on the STD red, but bear on a 6-8' pseudostem. Tender. (009) Red bananas are found in both Cavendish groups. (098) Brown's Red (032) Cuban Red, Red Jamaican (028) Plant and its' fruits retain all of the features found on the Tall red, but bear on a 6-8' pseudostem. Tender. (009)

TYPE: DESSERT (032)
GENETICS: AAA (006) (028) (009)
HEIGHT: 6-8 (032) (038) (009), 8' (011)
HIGHLIGHTS:

DWARF THAI

DESCRIPTION:

TYPE:
GENETICS:
HEIGHT:
HIGHLIGHTS:

(032)

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