Hi MikeyBob, I have several flasks of G. oblongifolia developing now. They should be grown to seedling size, vernalized and ready to be planted by next spring. Would you be interested in some seedlings? If so, what types of native orchids do you have aside from those already mentioned. Best, Ross

Jenjad, first things first...food! Yes, if you want a starch dish, you need the yellow colored plantains with little to no black streaks in'em. So can put them into stews that require a longer looking time or for crock pot cooking, so they'll cook like potatoes. Or, you can make chips, sliced thinly then deep fried. A typical Caribbean preparation is known as 'tostones' (these are double fried). If you want something more a sweet or a fruit, get the ones with at least some black in them. I like to either microwave on high for two minutes a side (in the skin). Or, put them on the grill with whatever. They are done when the skins start to split. As long as you don't select the really, really ripe/black plantains, they will be sweet, but not so sweet I can't enjoy it as a side dish with meat. Getting back to the botany of it both 'bananas' and 'plantains' are in the same genus, 'Musa' but different species. As far as the Citrus you mentioned, as I believe, Grapefruit developed (possibly in Jamaica) as naturally occurring Pomelo x sweet orange hybrid. Happy eat in'!

Hi Kim Saw your post and wanted to tell you that in order for this dish to be really delicious, the plantains have to be really ripe, the peel has to be almost black in color. I make it here ocassionally, its called in spanish, pantalon. Its just delicious. Alberta

I love tomato pie. Here's a couple of tips: If you sprinkle some of the grated cheese on the crust while it's hot, it forms a "seal" and keeps the pie from getting soggy (because if you don't get the tomato juice out, it WILL do that. Also, I use plum tomatoes, cut them in 1/2 and remove the seeds and juice. Then slice or dice. These tomatoes seem to be firmer than regular. (And yes, I agree, it is good cold, Ruthie!)