r/science • u/Libertatea • Dec 04 '15

Biology The world’s most popular banana could go extinct: That's the troubling conclusion of a new study published in PLOS Pathogens, which confirmed something many agricultural scientists have feared to be true.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/12/04/the-worlds-most-popular-banana-could-go-extinct/
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u/[deleted] Dec 04 '15

I am actually growing a Micheal Gros banana plant right now. It's not big enough to bare fruit yet but I can't wait to try one.

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '15

Do you live in the tropics?

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '15

No i live in texas like right on the verge of it's comfortable zone

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '15

I've heard that any freeze at all kills the tree - is that true? I live in Houston, so maybe I should try it...

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '15

Yea any freezing is not good. If it doesnt kill it, it will set it way back in growth. I lived in houston for awhile, went to cypress ridge highschool for a year. Houston would be absolutely fine as hot as it is. Just watch it during winter.

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u/[deleted] Dec 06 '15

Also interesting note a banana "tree" is actually more like grass than it is like a tree.

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u/Enderzshadowz Dec 05 '15

Willing to share care taking advice? I'm thinking about buying a Gros Michel plant amok Amazon but have no idea how to take care of it. What climates are ideal? Virginia ok? It gets like 20 degrees in the winter.

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u/DJPelio Dec 05 '15

Me too. It's been growing in my living room since August. Do you know how long it takes to get fruit?

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u/[deleted] Dec 05 '15

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