Japan: Greenhouse-grown banana trees gaining popularity
Okuhida Farm, which is run by a Japanese-style inn with a hot spring, grows banana trees in two greenhouses. The greenhouses are heated by hot spring water that is flown through pipes running through them to keep the temperature inside at 30 degrees with nearly 100 percent humidity all year round.
The farm sells 350 plants a year, but because the trees are becoming popular, people have to wait for six months after making purchase orders.
Ryota Shigeno, 30, who heads the farm, says he hopes people will enjoy both looking at and eating bananas, as they are easy to grow. The price is JPY15,900 per plant including delivery charges (JPY17,400 for Hokkaido and Okinawa Prefecture).
The farm also offers young banana plants of around 10 different varieties. For more information, call 0578-89-2404.
Source: agrinews.co.jp
