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View Full Version : Hello! And questions about bananas in Zone 7a


woodcricket
05-05-2013, 10:01 AM
Hi, I'm in the Tennessee Valley (zone 7a). Since our family eats a lot of bananas:scroll::scroll::scroll:, I would like to grow a few just for fun. I think I've decided on Dwarf Brazilian and Blue Java. I guess I'll have to dig or protect the Blue Java in the winter. Will the Dwarf Brazilian need winter protection if I want it to fruit?

sunfish
05-05-2013, 10:55 AM
Hi, I'm in the Tennessee Valley (zone 7a). Since our family eats a lot of bananas:scroll::scroll::scroll:, I would like to grow a few just for fun. I think I've decided on Dwarf Brazilian and Blue Java. I guess I'll have to dig or protect the Blue Java in the winter. Will the Dwarf Brazilian need winter protection if I want it to fruit?

It will need winter protection to live

Abnshrek
05-05-2013, 12:07 PM
Hello, Welcome, and Good Luck. DB will take 6 months or more for fruit to develop once the plant flowers. :^)

woodcricket
05-05-2013, 12:49 PM
Oh, OK...what time does DB flower? I don't mind cutting the bunch and bringing it inside to ripen if that would work.
I also saw that some members here sell California Gold!!! :goteam: Which is my first choice if I can get it. Would that one need winter protection here? And would it ripen on the tree before frost? :coldbanana:
:banananinja: (Gotta love these banana smileys, LOL!)

LilRaverBoi
05-06-2013, 11:27 PM
Getting bananas to flower and develop fruit to a ripening stage can be a challenge in climates where temperatures get cold during part of the year. There is no real 'time to flower' with bananas....it all depends on conditions and the type of plant. They can flower at any time of the year (which is unfortunate for us colder climate growers when a flower pops out in the fall). Also, fruit will need months on the plant to fill out and develop to a mature stage. None of the edible varieties will survive in your climate without protection. The best options are letting them grow as a houseplant during the winter or storing them dormant (though either option has its problems and not all varieties do well with one or the other). I wouldn't really hedge your bets on getting fruit.....but it's always something to try for! My best advice is to work first on learning how to grow bananas for their foliage and practice overwintering methods to find what works for you. If you are successful with that, you can then start working toward flowering and fruit.

Not trying to stifle your goals or anything....just giving you an honest response.

sunfish
05-06-2013, 11:33 PM
Getting bananas to flower and develop fruit to a ripening stage can be a challenge in climates where temperatures get cold during part of the year. There is no real 'time to flower' with bananas....it all depends on conditions and the type of plant. They can flower at any time of the year (which is unfortunate for us colder climate growers when a flower pops out in the fall). Also, fruit will need months on the plant to fill out and develop to a mature stage. None of the edible varieties will survive in your climate without protection. The best options are letting them grow as a houseplant during the winter or storing them dormant (though either option has its problems and not all varieties do well with one or the other). I wouldn't really hedge your bets on getting fruit.....but it's always something to try for! My best advice is to work first on learning how to grow bananas for their foliage and practice overwintering methods to find what works for you. If you are successful with that, you can then start working toward flowering and fruit.

Not trying to stifle your goals or anything....just giving you an honest response.

Exactly

woodcricket
05-07-2013, 08:46 AM
Thanks!
Not trying to stifle your goals or anything....just giving you an honest response.
Oh, honesty is what I want! I'd rather be told outright than have to find it out the hard way. :) OK, so I'll try to gain experience on a cold hardy variety first. I love challenges BTW - the more discouraging it seems, the more determined I get, usually. XD
I hope this cold spring is not the beginning of a trend. If so, I'll never get bananas! :0491: