Was at the grocery store that I go to at lunch (it has a nice garden/plant selection outside) and for a few weeks, they have had this rack of banana plants.
I was curious...but not $17 each curious, ha! They had two varieties and I did some research on them one night when I was bored. After reading, I decided I needed to keep an eye on them as possible additions.
One is a "Blue Java" which produces smaller bananas that are said to taste like ice cream (win!) and they are also the most cold tolerant of the banana varieties (win/win!). It also does very well in our climate.
The other one is called the "Grand Nain" which may not sound familiar to you, but will when you know what they are also known as. These are the bananas most often found in the grocery store and marketed as Chiquita Bananas. It is the most commonly grown variety and it will grow in our area as well, though they are not quite as cold hardy as the other one.
Since this is where I got one last Fall (along with avocados and some other plants) on deep clearance, the other day at lunch, I was there and the plant guy was watering. I asked "do you think these might go on sale/clearance soon? I bought some last Fall and took them out to our farm and I figure it never hurts to wait for a bargain."
He looked and said "Not sure we'll have them by Fall. How much did you pay last year?".
I told him they were $5 each.
He said "I remember that. Well, If they are going to a good home, you can grab a couple today for $5 each".
He wrote a note for me to give to the cashier and...
Boom!
Two plants in the back seat of the car at lunch!
And a few days later...
...in their new home at the farm!
Now we know you all are probably going what are they doing to do with those bananas? We've been reading up on a permaculture technique called a "banana circle" that utilizes multiple plants. We think that will work best for us in trying to figure out where to put them.
Update: I got these a couple of weeks ago and they have only a few of them left at the store and they are still full price. I guess I got a good deal.
You GUESS you got a good deal? I would say you got a GREAT deal!🍌
ReplyDeleteHa, thanks, It was a nice gesture and they sold two more than they might have since there were still a few left.
DeleteWhat A Deal! Nothing like being at the right place at the right time.
ReplyDeleteWe keep a couple of galvanized buckets, or some sort of other container in the back of our truck for plants like these; no water leakage dripping out from bottom of the plants plus no dirt spilling out.
Enjoy your day and stay cool
That was the right place right time for sure. I never thought about a bucket, that's smart. I could bring the 5 gallon buckets when I know I'm plant shopping ha. It's HOT here for sure. 103 today, feels like 112.
DeleteWhat a nice employee! That was a great deal!
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty nice of him, I saw him again today at lunch and waved. Hope he remembers me for future deals, ha.
Deletewhat a great deal! i hope they do well for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, fingers crossed, they are doing well so far just sitting on the porch in the shade, ha.
DeleteNever mind building a house, build an orangerie You can put a bed out there.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I'd like that. 2nd Man would prefer a kitchen with a bed, ha.
DeleteChiquita Bananas are the best! Those are the only ones I will buy
ReplyDeleteRight? So good. But we're anxious to try to other varieties.
DeleteI have bananas a couple of places and have tried to get rid of them, cutting them to the ground, digging them out and running over them with the mower as soon as they start to regrow. I have some that are about 5 ft tall now. They spread, now my neighbor has banana plants. I live in Florida, so they grow everywhere, even on sides of the roads. They must start from seeds in places. I have had bananas from them if I let them grow but they are too sweet. Most people have plants, so it is hard to give them away, it is like mangos this year every tree you see is loaded, my two trees are just about bare now and I am glad.
ReplyDelete