#sikkimensis

[seedkeeping]

Khiva Cucumber (Cucumis sativus var. sikkimensis) from Turkmenistan. Can be used like a melon - refreshing on a hot day. These are for saving seed, except the underripe green one. #khivacucumber #brownnettedcucumber #roughwoodseedcollection #100vegetables #cucumissativus #sikkimensis

[seedkeeping]

Khiva Cucumber (Cucumis sativus var. sikkimensis) from Turkmenistan. Can be used like a melon - refreshing on a hot day. #khivacucumber #brownnettedcucumber #roughwoodseedcollection #100vegetables #cucumissativus #sikkimensis (at 4H Farm at Garrett Williamson Foundation)

[okamidesign]

Who said you can't grow bananas in cold climates?

Last year, during my visit to Darjeeling, I already noticed these tall, amazing banana trees growing around 2000m high at the Himalayas. I was amazed, I thought bananas only grow in tropical and warm climates. Well, no :) This wonderful plant is called Musa sikkimensis (common: Darjeeling banana). It's quite high (4.5m) and currently the best known frost resistant specie. There is one more called Musa basjoo, but sadly the bananas are inedible on this one. The Darjeeling banana has been already tested in the US, Britain, Germany and Switzerland with great success. You can have your own bananas, you don't need to go and buy imported ones from who knows where and what conditions, because even if you buy organic, right now it means that that banana traveled through half of the world, got packaged several times probably until it reached your table. I think I don't need to explain how much energy and fossil fuels this needs. So I encourage everyone who loves bananas and living in cool/cold climates to try and grow their own bananas! :) You can find more information and possibilities to buy some seeds if you click on the pictures ;)

[english-tibetan-dictionary]

sikkimensis

shang dril ser po - primula sikkimensis hook. [JV]