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View Full Version : Banana is flowering in basement!


fradam1
02-10-2008, 04:05 PM
Hi all,

This is my first post. I have been poking around the forums for some time now and figured I would become a member. I have been growing bananas as a hobby for over eight years here in the St. Louis area. My original plants came from my grandmother in Ft. Meyers and from trading with others in my area.

About a month ago I went downstairs to check on my plants in the basement. I was suprised when I noticed that one of my bananas was sending up a flag. This was strange because it sitting in a five gallon bucket with little soil and minimal light. I brought it upstairs and added dirt to the bucket. The leaves were brown so I cut off the dead ones and moved it to a bright window. It sat for a week without any change and then I could tell that the flag was getting bigger and coming out. The flower has now dropped and has started to open up revealing the dripping flowers and fruit.

It seems that I can get bananas to fruit in a 50 degree basement in the wintertime but not in the hot humid summer weather outside.


C:\Users\ADAM\Desktop\DSCF6855.JPGC:\Users\ADAM\Desktop\DSCF6861 .JPGC:\Users\ADAM\Desktop\DSCF6861.JPG

fradam1
02-10-2008, 04:08 PM
The Photos did not upload correctly, Here they are.

Adam

51st state
02-10-2008, 04:28 PM
Excellent, any idea what species/variety that is?

island cassie
02-10-2008, 04:29 PM
Haha! Just when you think you have seen it all.....

Cassie

fradam1
02-10-2008, 04:45 PM
I have no idea what variety it is. But I do know that during the summer they get very large. Any Ideas?

cactus6103
02-12-2008, 07:47 AM
Very cool! I hope you get flowers in the summer when you can enjoy them outside. Thanks for sharing. Red

Bananaman88
02-12-2008, 12:13 PM
Fradam,

It's hard to say what it may be. Maybe if you can keep it going you'll get some fruit and then we can help more. I lived in St. Louis for about 5-6 years, from '98-03. I loved it there! Of course, the nanner growing is a bit easier down here!

AnnaJW
02-12-2008, 03:46 PM
That's really awesome!!!

modenacart
02-12-2008, 05:43 PM
from looking at figs4fun home (http://www.webebananas.com) it looks like a possible ice cream, but I don't know for sure.

Lard Greystoke
02-14-2008, 12:36 PM
Hi all,

It seems that I can get bananas to fruit in a 50 degree basement in the wintertime but not in the hot humid summer weather outside.


C:\Users\ADAM\Desktop\DSCF6855.JPGC:\Users\ADAM\Desktop\DSCF6861 .JPGC:\Users\ADAM\Desktop\DSCF6861.JPG

Congratulations. This reinforces my observation (when dealing with living things) that the only "experts" are the organisms themselves, and the rest of us are merely observers - more or less ignorant.

fradam1
02-14-2008, 01:39 PM
Thank you for all your comments..

I have four little bananas growing now and I am wondering if I need to cut off the bell part of the flower. I have read here in the posts that this part holds the male flowers and will not produce fruit. Is this correct and should I cut it off to let the nutrients go to the fruit?

Thanks again,

Adam