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csgs
04-20-2016, 02:10 PM
I got what I thought was a banana tree from someone in my neighborhood
a year later, It flowered and I have fruit

however, from what I read, they should be ready in about 3-4 months?
Mine flowered last November I believe, so Im almost at 6 months

The fruit still has its sharp edges, has not plumped up to a round shape yet
I cut one open, and its very hard, but smells so good - just like banana

Someone said I might have plantains?

Heres some pictures, let me know what you think




http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/temp/IMG_2321.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/temp/IMG_2320.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/temp/IMG_2319.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/temp/IMG_2315.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/temp/IMG_2316.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/temp/IMG_2318.jpg

JP
04-20-2016, 03:16 PM
Where do you live? How was the weather in the last months?

csgs
04-20-2016, 03:32 PM
Where do you live? How was the weather in the last months?

sorry, meant to put that in my post

Im in Orlando, FL
Weather this winter was pretty mild.. so cold days but no hard freezes

Kat2
04-20-2016, 03:38 PM
I'm no expert but, since the plant was a gift from your neighbor who, like you, lives in FL and because they look a lot like the Burro bananas I've seen in the local markets, I'm going to hazard a guess that you're growing Orinocos.

JP
04-20-2016, 04:45 PM
I'll go with Kat2 on that one.

chong
04-20-2016, 04:53 PM
I, too, would venture to guess that it's an Orinoco. Not all bananas ripen in 3-4 months. Additionally, whenever the temperature dips below 50°F, the plant stops growing. So, you have to consider the amount of time (no. of months) that the temperature dipped below 50°F and add another month for recovery after that for it to start growing again. You can use the time when new leaves start to grow out as basis for the start of the new growth.

Chong

bananaT
04-20-2016, 10:12 PM
They are indeed Orinocos.
Very common bananas, for a reason. They are very hardy and damn near
impossible to kill. They'll hang around until they get what they want and
Then they fruit. The fruit is great for cooking and fresh eating when ripe.
They'll keep their bananas hanging green on the bunch for months.
So once they're filled out cut them down and they'll ripen on your counter.
Unless you have patience and wait for them to yellow up on the plant.

csgs
04-21-2016, 08:08 AM
you guys are great!
:08:

I dont mind letting them ripen on the kitchen counter.. but how do you know when to cut them?

Last week I took off one and cut it open, very hard and starchy, didnt taste any good but smelled great.

csgs
04-21-2016, 08:13 AM
re-read your post.. you mentioned when they fill out...
So Im waiting till they get more rounded :) Thank you!

I have a couple pineapples growing too. One will be a nice size, the other will be small, but they all taste good!

JP
04-21-2016, 08:13 AM
Post pics regularly, we'll tell you. It needs to look as filled as can be. They're not at the moment. Be patient. I know it's hard to wait...

Rmplmnz
04-23-2016, 12:07 AM
I, too, would venture to guess that it's an Orinoco. Not all bananas ripen in 3-4 months. Additionally, whenever the temperature dips below 50°F, the plant stops growing. So, you have to consider the amount of time (no. of months) that the temperature dipped below 50°F and add another month for recovery after that for it to start growing again. You can use the time when new leaves start to grow out as basis for the start of the new growth.

Chong

I thought the only banana in Chong's garden was a Saba!!

:-)

:0519:

csgs
05-02-2016, 08:33 PM
bad news
My tree broke with the weight of the bunch.

I propped it back up with a post but it fell again
So I cut them today
Some are ripe and soft and delicious!!!!
I hope the others will soften and ripen inside.

Here's to getting another tree to flower soon!!!

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/stuff/F59DBE05-075A-447B-B691-3D6C66E34AE6.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/stuff/50FC739D-417B-4BDC-9A72-A117238C72A0.jpg

Dalmatiansoap
05-04-2016, 02:14 PM
Next time cut the whole bunch and hung them somewhere indoors for a few days. Nice bunch!

csgs
05-04-2016, 02:19 PM
Next time cut the whole bunch and hung them somewhere indoors for a few days. Nice bunch!

Noted!
Its amazing how fast they will ripen after being cut though... in just a few days they're almost all turned to yellow and soft.

I do have one question...
Lets say this tree didnt break and I had harvested the bunch... do I cut down this tree? Hack it off at the ground?

Dalmatiansoap
05-04-2016, 02:27 PM
Yup.
Just the fruiting stem. Leave the others.

csgs
05-09-2016, 09:36 AM
Got some time to take down the old dead stem yesterday and noticed this!

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w75/cstanley444/stuff/IMG_2765.jpg

csgs
06-03-2016, 10:33 AM
Good news, I have 3 new flowers!
Two are quite large, and have opened already to show ALOT of bananas
The third is much smaller, and there appear to be no bananas - is this a sucker tree? Should I cut?