One of our readers, Harrison, has some bananas growing here in town “banana has started to flower! Will keep you informed” in his own words, “3 year old fruiting in-ground full-sized (in jerry-rigged greenhouse”.
Bananas Growing in the Mojave Desert
Thanks for posting! If you can send a picture I will post it [email protected] These are some fun things to do. Also take a look at papaya such as Sunrise/Solo out of Hawaii which can produce fruit in a nine months under warm climates. You can also look at a posting of bananas grown in Phoenix outside which has a bit warmer climate than us
http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/banana.html
http://www.banana-tree.com/Product/CARICA-papaya-Sunrise–Hawaiian-solo-SKU378-358.htm
Most successful bananas in Phoenix appear to be dwarfing varieties due to shorter stature (8 ft.) giving wind resistance: Rajapuri and Grand Nain considered "best."
It is weird to see thriving bananas on the north side of houses (constant shade). Generally home owners ignore the "care" recommendations and they seem to do just fine. Freezing can knock one back to the ground and it takes about 18 months for fruit to mature so a frost will prevent a crop.
My two pups are still deciding if they want to grow up in this cruel backyard world.
http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/banana.html
Interesting! To your knowledge, is anyone in LV growing Medlar? Thank you…
Medlar can refer to loquat or a tree related to what we call Hawthorn grown in Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean. Loquat is commonly grown here and does very well. The Hawthorn-type Medlar I am sure will grow here but no one to my knowledge is growing it. The Hawthorn-type Medlar would be a unique fruit for the local chefs to use.
I have a dwarf cavendish banana in a pot in Henderson. Last summer was its first here. During the winter I kept it in the garage, trimmed off the leaves, and cut back the water to about once per month. Put it outdoors yesterday. It definitely needs repotting. I will let you know how it does.
Thank you for the reply. I am growing a Gold Nugget Loquat and it seems to be fruiting nicely this year. I am also trying a Marron Medlar (hawthorn-type), but it has not leafed out yet, so I was wondering if any one else has had any success with these trees, here in Southern Nevada. I will let you know how my experiment goes and if I am lucky enough to "blet some medlars"!