Simply Bananas Updates: The Early Fall Update

When will the Bananas be ready?

Have patience...they'll ripen up soon!

October marks the beginning of the end of the growing season for our Banana plants. Leaf production slows down and old leaves begin to yellow and brown. They can certainly be trimmed and discarded, or mulched around the base of the plants. Keep watering on warm days. Don't be surprised as there will be quite a few late bloomers here in the next 6-8 weeks.

Late Bloomin' Raja Puris....Dang it!

OK--Your well supported bunches of fruit may need a little attention. It is probably time to remove the flower pod. You can remove it when there is 16"-18" of space from the last bunch of bananas to the top of the bud. They say this will force energy into the ripening fruits instead of flower production. You intentionally leave that 'tail' beneath the fruit as it tends to protect the lower fruits from drying out.

Dwarf Namwahs with 'tail'.

Close up of 'tail' drying out.

I expect that we'll start hearing of fruit ripening in the next few weeks. You can tell when things are getting close as the bananas will lose that 'angular' shape and begin to plump up and fill out. If they start to yellow 'on the vine', you can eat them right away. One thing about home grown bananas is that they often taste better if the peels brown up a little bit. Unlike Cavendish/grocery store bananas, home grown bananas don't really turn mushy as the peel changes color.

Ripe Raja Puris.

The Raja Puri plant that bloomed in May(see photo above) had some fruit ripening. However...I noticed in late August that the fruits had stopped increasing in size. Further investigation led me to discover that the waterline for that mat of bananas was blocked and the plants were getting very little water. That being said, these tiny bananas are just really, really small. Their taste is outstanding!

In early September, I wrapped up season 7 of Simply Bananas at the Charleston Farmer's Market. It is always fun being down there beside the Wife and talking bananas with so many people. The Truly Tiny, a super dwarf Cavendish type, was especially well received. I'll be anxious to hear of fruit in the coming years from this exciting new cultivar. Thanks to everyone for stopping by we had a lot of fun!

Charleston Farmer's Market ~~rare purple bananas~~ EGGPLANTS!

Bananas in the News--From the almost-too-much-information department, Australia's AussieBum Underwear company, has discontinued its Banana Fiber and Cotton men's underwear. How do I know...Kate tried to get a pair for me for my birthday from them, but had to go the eBay route. Here was their one and only commercial(sfw) from YouTube: