Basjoo banana plant in the greenhouse.
Tropical plant grower
Colasanti Farms is a retail business that is specialized in selling tropical plants, for both indoor and seasonal outdoor use. They grow products themselves, as well as having partnerships with other Canadian growers. In their 2.5 ha temperature controlled greenhouse in southwestern Ontario, they grow around 60 tropical plant varieties. The banana plant is one of these varieties that they've been growing and selling to their Canadian customers for about 15 years now.
'Adventurous' customer
"Among all the tropical plants we grow here, the banana plant is the one that is mostly chosen by the more 'adventurous' customer", says Colasanti. Over the years, he has seen demand rising for this variety. Their strategy is to do only one planting for the season and sell out, then move on to another variety. "For the two seasonal banana plant varieties we have, we see that they sell out faster every year. Therefore, we slightly increase the production every year. However, one has to take into account that we are a niche market grower, so even though we notice a strong 'demand', it would not be wise to drastically increase production and stretch the season. We want to keep it a niche product and we want our garden centers, to which we also supply, to sell out too."
Banana season
The season of their perennial basjoo bananas is coming to an end, and according to Colasanti it has been a good season. "We started to sell them at the end of April and the final plants are leaving the greenhouse at the moment." At the same time, they are starting with their next banana crop; Maurelli Ensente. This plant, also known as the Red banana plant, is promoted for pot growing. Customers can grow it on the patio in temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius and should be put inside when it is colder. The basjoo banana, in contrast, is winter hardy. It can be put outside in the ground and is hardy, if protected, to USDA and Canadian zone 5a. "Banana plants in general are very easy to maintain, but winterizing them is a challenge. Fortunately, we see that this adventurous group of customers enjoys this challenge."
Basjoo banana plant in the greenhouse.
Cultivation of banana plants
Colasanti Farms grows three types of banana plants: the basjoo and Maurelli Ensente on a seasonal basis and the Dwarf cavendish banana (almost) year round. They import the cuttings from countries all over the world and grow them in their own greenhouse.
For more information
Colasanti Farms
Terry Colasanti
Email: terry@colasanti.com
www.colasanti.com