Hello, everybody, I am new to this forum and I am completely new to the banana growing. A banana tree is only a wish in my head.

So, I would like to know which sort of banana it is possible to grow in the Mediterranean (lowest winter temps around 0 C). I am interested in smaller, ornamental varieties.

Also, how to acquire few seeds of the proposed variety?

From tropical plants, I grow hibiscus rosa sinensis. Is it possible to exchange seeds?

Warm regards, Nina

hi nina,
Where in the Mediterranean you want to grow banana?
Cause I am willing to help
Best regards
ibrahim

---

bob

Hi, Ibrahim, thanks for the quick answer. It is nice when a forum is so efficient.

I live in Croatia, which lies on the Adriatic sea, The Adriatic sea is between Croatia and Italy. I live on the coast. We have rather hot summers (30 C) and mild winters, freezing temperatures are very rare, and if they happen, they do not last more than one night. Besides, I have a small greenhouse, so I can keep the winter temperature at 8-12 C) My tropical hibiscus is very happy in it.

I would like to have a banana in a large pot, so I can bring it inside the greenhouse in winter.
What do you suggest?

Hi, I think that you can grow banana in Croatia, since it lies on the coast, then you have good humidity, and the banana plant likes humidity, the higher the best. The temperature in the summer seems good. But ant temperature that goes below 13 degrees Celsius, you will get chilling injury. Since you have a greenhouse this will help a lot.
In March the temperature will start to rise and by the end of March beginning of April (spring) the average temp will be 15 and above, as a result the banana starts to grow, and make new leaves. (In winter, December, January and February, the banana will stop growing; the leaves will be shredded by the wind, and during the frost all the leaves will turn brown. If the plant was small, and if the frost time was more than 4 hours, the plant will die. To check the banana plant if is dead, you have to look at the center leaf, the leader). So from April to November you will have high humidity, low wind, and the average temperature will be about 25 degrees Celsius, as a result the banana will start growing. This is the case in the Mediterranean or subtropical areas where banana is grown. Since you would plant banana in a large pot, I think it will work, and because you will use you greenhouse to provide heat and shelter at cold times, then you will have no problem at all. Do you want to see pictures of the bananas I plant? I produce banana bunches in Lebanon a coast place at the Mediterranean see.
Take care, and bye.

---

bob

Hi, Ibrahim, so you are rather near me!!

I used to know some people from Lebanon. In 1984, I was a hostess at the Winter Olimpic Games in Sarajevo, and I took care of the Lebanon skiing team. Everybody was surprised that Lebanon had a skiing team. Do you still have one??

Good news, I would be able to have a banana-tree. As a metter of fact, I have seen one banana-tree here, but it is a rather big one, grown in the garden.

I would like to see your pics.

Which variety would you recommend?

Now, how do I get some seeds? Croatia is not the member of Paypal system, I have not an internationally recognized credit card, the only possibility is to pay through a bank or send money in an envelope. What do you think?

Warm regards, Nina

Well I like to hear that you know some people in Lebanon. I wish that you still have contact with them, so what do u think about the Lebanese people? They are very nice people. Lebanon still has a skiing teem. Since Lebanon is unique in its nature, it has a mountain that is covered with snow during winter, and sunny beautiful beaches at the summer, 4 seasons, a god’s gift. May be one time you might come to Lebanon and enjoy its gifts.

If you want to plant banana that produces fruit to eat, try the any dwarf Cavendish variety like the petit nain. About ornamental bananas I do not have any experience about their names.

Well to buy seeds, (you mean seeds to germinate?), I usually get seedlings (not seeds) of the grand nain variety, these are propagated in a special labs and they are called tissue culture bananas. I usually import them from Spain, but I import in big quantities, like in thousands. You said, that you saw in Croatia a big banana plant in a garden, you can take a small sucker from this plant, and plant it in your own garden or greenhouse, this in another way to plant banana other than using tissue culture plants.

Take care
Bye.

---

bob

Hi, Ibrahim, thanks for the explanation of your pics, it was very interesting.

BTW, do you like eating bananas?

I will try twith suckers, if I find some...

As for the people of Lebanon, these boys were the most cheerful and open-minded persons I have ever met. We did communicate for a few years, but then it stopped....

Thank you for all information.

Warm regards, Nina

Of coarse I like the banana fruit, other than it is tasty, it has a lot of nutritive factors, it has protein & carbohydrates, plus potassium and calcium, and magnesium, and carotene. This makes the banana like a perfect meal.
I think it is one of the best fruits on earth.

---

bob

Sorry,
I forgot to add phosphorus, and vitamin C to the food value of the bananas.
So my advice to everyone, who is reading this post, to include bananas in his meals, for better health, which is the most important thing in life.
Bye.

---

bob

I am eating it!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmm, it is delicious...

how are you? it is been long time

from lebanon.

---

bob