James, Thanks very much for the information; I will try Stokes once again. I will make sure the thing is loaded with water and fertilized properly. I gave one of the Stokes plants to my neighbor and it was doing great (I should have kept it) he said it had little white things on it. I noticed that it was sitting in a window but the blinds were closed, no sun. I told him that I was sure the plant needed sun and to wash it off with dishwashing liquid. He said the wash worked. Thanks to everybody for your help and I am sure I have some other challenges for you now that I have a bit of energy. Thanks again, Chris -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of James Waddick Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 9:13 AM To: Pacific Bulb Soc iety Subject: [pbs] Bananas Dear Christine, I hesitate to answer here. As you are in a cooler climate (Philadelphia area) your ability to grow bananas as a reliable addition to your pantry is a task of frustration and starvation. As easy as bananas can be in warm tropics, obtaining fruit in colder climate is generally a rarity worthy of local interest newspaper coverage. As an ornamental container plant, there are many excellent choices and they are fairly easy. It sounds like you have tried and failed. I consider this a bad sign as undemanding as they are. All species can be grown in large pots for years with success. They need copious water in the growing season, full (or nearly full with few exceptions) and a vigorous fertilization program. Let me make a couple of suggestions: 1 For an array of taste banana treats go to any large oriental market of all persuasions (Chinese, Thai etc) and try all available, although usually few, you may be able to find finger bananas, red skinned bananas, 'burros' etc. Allow them to ripen fully. I know there are some on the Philidelphia metro area 2. Give up any attempt to grow bananas for fruit. 3. Try again with an ornamental plant using the guidelines suggest above. Among the easiest are the Dwarf Cavendish, Sumatrana or Zebra (although there are various sorts here) and the increasingly available Japanese Fiber Banana or Hardy Banana, Musa basjoo. The latter can be grown outdoors there and with minimal winter care reach ample size and provide a fantastic tropical air to even an small urban garden. Buy a potted plant and move it to a large pot after the last frost. 4 With some humility read a basic book such as 'Bananas You Can Grow' -described as "the best book ever written on bananas" when it was published. This is by the noted world authorities Waddick and Stokes (ahem). Good luck. Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F + _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/