Orinoco - Banana Plantain Great For Cooking
Orinoco Banana (Musa)
*Delivery from October 2024
The Orinoco banana, distinct in its robust and chunky form, stands out in the world of bananas. Its silhouette, bearing squared sides, challenges the usual slender expectations of banana enthusiasts. The Orinoco is hardy with wind and cold tolerant no wonder it has been a favourite of many home gardeners.
In its youthful, green state, one might think of the Orinoco as a mere plantain. However, with time, it unveils its true colors, transitioning into dark shades of black or deep brown as it matures. This transformation isn’t just skin-deep. As it ripens, its flavor profile takes an intriguing turn.
Taking a bite of a ripe Orinoco is like diving into a flavorful surprise. The creamy texture is laden with notes reminiscent of apples and strawberries. It’s a taste that distinguishes the Orinoco from its peers. This culinary chameleon can be cooked when green and relished raw when fully ripened, making it a beloved choice for versatile recipes.
Cultivating the Orinoco banana plant is like nurturing a tropical gem. Its broad, verdant leaves capture the essence of a balmy paradise, rustling softly with every breeze, evoking images of serene landscapes.
The Orinoco’s resilience is another feather in its cap. Hardy and resistant to some typical banana maladies, it’s a dependable choice for those keen on introducing a tropical flair to their gardens or kitchens.
In summary, the Orinoco banana isn’t just another fruit—it’s a delightful blend of unexpected.
Plant Care
- Watering: Maintain consistent moisture, watering deeply especially in warmer months. Reduce watering in cooler months.
- Temperature: Best between 26°C and 30°C. Bananas are not frost-tolerant and require protection or placement in warm climates.
- Light: Full sun is ideal.
- Fertilising: Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as 30-10-10 monthly during the growing season to support vigorous leaf growth. Once the plant starts flowering, switch to a high-potassium fertilizer like 15-5-30 to support fruit development.
- Pruning: Regularly remove dead leaves and spent fruit stalks. Cut back the main fruiting stem after harvest to encourage new growth.
- Mulching: Apply heavy mulch to retain soil moisture, provide nutrients, and suppress weeds.
- Pest Control: Look out for pests such as aphids, spider mites, and nematodes. Use eco-friendly pesticides if necessary.
- Flowering and Fruiting: Each pseudostem will fruit once. Fruit typically matures in about 3 to 8 months, depending on conditions and variety.
- Potting: Suitable for large containers, but requires ample space and meticulous care to manage growth and ensure sufficient nutrients.
We ship our plants and garden supplies throughout New Zealand. Due to the increased costs of shipping and packaging, we now apply a minimal delivery charge. After offering free shipping for three consecutive years, we find it necessary to adjust this policy to align with current market conditions. However, we have lowered our prices to help offset this change.
Please note, we do not ship plants or garden supplies internationally from New Zealand. We do export plants and tissue culture materials from our overseas nursery, which requires a minimum order. Please contact us at hello@exoticanz.com to discuss your specific requirements.
Shipping (per plant)
Auckland & Northland: $20
Rest of North Island: $25
South Island: $35
Rural Address: Additional $5
Shipping Garden Supplies
Auckland & Northland: $10
Rest of North Island: $15
South Island: $20
Rural Address: Additional $5
Delivery
- Our plants are available for shipment throughout the year, depending on stock levels. Typical delivery times range from 5 to 7 business days, although they can take up to 10 business days depending on the destination.
- We take extra care in packaging; most of our plants are secured in bespoke inserts and shipped in individual boxes to ensure they arrive undamaged.
- Deliveries are scheduled once a week, typically on Monday. If you place your order over the weekend, we aim to dispatch your plants on the following Monday. This scheduling allows our team to prepare your order thoroughly and ensures the courier has sufficient time to deliver your plants safely, avoiding any unnecessary delays over the weekend.
- All orders are shipped via courier track and trace service (not signature required)
- We cannot deliver to PO Box addresses.
- If you have a rural address, please contact us beforehand to discuss the best delivery options and avoid any potential issues.
Additional Delivery Information
- We dispatch our plants year-round, as most are shipped with soil. During the winter months, we closely monitor weather conditions and may temporarily delay shipments if the weather is particularly severe. Our packing process includes adding insulation when necessary to protect the plants against temperature extremes.
- In summer, we ensure that plants are thoroughly watered before they leave our nursery. Occasionally, we may need to ship plants bare-rooted, particularly when they cannot be comfortably re-potted into smaller packaging for shipping. We will always discuss this with you in advance if your plant needs to be shipped in this manner.
- It's important to note that shipping can be a stressful experience for plants, often due to spending several days in a dark, confined space. While most plants withstand this with little to no stress, some may experience leaf drop. However, they generally recover quickly with some additional care, including proper watering and gradual reintroduction to light after arrival.
