Bananas.org - View Single Post - Ripen bananas on the tree or cut once start turning yellow?

twotallgirls · 12-16-2021, 09:53 AM

I cut the bunch down when they just begin to turn yellow and then hang them on the porch where I can see them and pick as I like. Some varieties I cut up into hands. I don't think a week extra on the plant makes a discernable flavor difference. The only time I noticed flavor difference was when I had to harvest my Namwa a month or so too soon. Plus I've been waiting for months to ripen and I'm not going to provide chance that a critter / bug will beat me to them for an extra few days on the plant.

If I don't see them, I sometimes forget to harvest timely, then they end up splitting and attract bugs/fruit flies. And some varieties ripen very quickly so a few days makes a big difference. Many times the hands are too close together / too high up / awkward angles to cut off individually. If I don't pick my Raja Puri green/yellow they fall off when I harvest hands or the bunch. And Blue Java get smooshed way to easily if harvesting on plant ripe.

Glad to hear FHAI-03 is a slow ripener... Just planted Sweetheart and its a trait I've come to appreciate. 100 bananas all ripening at the same time is a real drag.

12-16-2021, 09:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
twotallgirls Location: Marco Island, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10A Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 100 BananaBucks : 20,261 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 207 Times in 69 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: Ripen bananas on the tree or cut once start turning yellow? I cut the bunch down when they just begin to turn yellow and then hang them on the porch where I can see them and pick as I like. Some varieties I cut up into hands. I don't think a week extra on the plant makes a discernable flavor difference. The only time I noticed flavor difference was when I had to harvest my Namwa a month or so too soon. Plus I've been waiting for months to ripen and I'm not going to provide chance that a critter / bug will beat me to them for an extra few days on the plant. If I don't see them, I sometimes forget to harvest timely, then they end up splitting and attract bugs/fruit flies. And some varieties ripen very quickly so a few days makes a big difference. Many times the hands are too close together / too high up / awkward angles to cut off individually. If I don't pick my Raja Puri green/yellow they fall off when I harvest hands or the bunch. And Blue Java get smooshed way to easily if harvesting on plant ripe. Glad to hear FHAI-03 is a slow ripener... Just planted Sweetheart and its a trait I've come to appreciate. 100 bananas all ripening at the same time is a real drag. __________________ Blue Java, Raja Puri, Goldfinger FHIA-01, Mona Lisa FHIA-02, Sweetheart FHIA-03, Pitogo, Saba, Dwarf Cavendish, Super Dwarf Cav., Namwa, Brazilian, Mysore, Dwarf Red, and a mystery or two