AlBanaan

Hi! I inherited some banana plants when I moved into my house a couple years ago. I have noticed that a couple of the plants have just started flowering which I wasn’t expecting. One flower bud has fully emerged and another I can see the tip just emerging.

Unfortunately I’m assuming this is not a good time, with the weather only getting colder now, and I heard it takes a few months for the flower and fruit to develop fully.

Is there anything I can do with these flowers or should I just assume they are wasted? Will the plant die off even if the flower doesn’t fruit? If the flowers die off, would the plant potentially flower next year (hopefully much earlier)?

The plants are in London in a fairly sheltered garden, and winters do seem to be milder these days. However, we do get plenty of frost and the occasional snow fall. Normally I cut the leaves back and wrap the stems up for winter, but I guess that would mean cutting the flowers off too.

Can anyone advise on the best course of action?

Thanks!