edwmax

How long does it take a new pup to grow before bearing bananas?

I saw a nursery listing that indicated banana plants at fruit bearing age to be 3 or 4 years old. Is this true for most banana plants? ... If a pup is cut from a fruit bearing mother, would it take 4 years before the corm is big enough to fruit?

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sputinc7

That depends on what kind of banana plant, where you grow them and how you grow them.
Veinte Cohol in south Florida, less than one year is possible, Gros Michel in North Dakota in a pot may never flower.
If you got a decent size fresh VC pup and planted it as early as you can where you are in GA. you may get fruit before frost, as well as a couple pups for the next year.
I am not sure but something like orinoco or dwarf Namwah may even survive winters there from what I have read on here.

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Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel.
What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.

pitangadiego

Depends on variety and climate. Here, about 24-30 months.

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edwmax

Thanks for the replies. I saw a nursery listing showing banana tree size as

2yr Banana Plant
3yr Banana Plant - Producing Offsets
4yr Banana Plant - Bearing Size

I know most pups would product fruit in the 2nd year if its growing season and temperatures are right. Some small and dwarf bananas in it 1st year.

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Tytaylor77

Where I am in zone 8b I've had from small pup to flower (not harvest)
Goldfinger 300 days
Manzano 300 days
Orinoco 300 days
Dwarf Orinoco 300days
Gran Nain 390 days (3 out of 4 died due to cold)
Veinte cohol 3' pup planted in late March flowered in August.
Tall Namwa should bloom any day it's going on 330 days

Ripening time is what sucks. 4-5 months on Orinoco.
Goldfinger going on 4 months and looks like one more to go.
Manzano going on 4 months and 1+ to go.
Veinte cohol going on 60 days and almost ripe.

Veinte cohol looks like a winner for our zone. I will know more about the other short cycles next year.

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geissene

I appreciate you posting these numbers.

It is good to set realistic expectations for people growing bananas in slightly less than optimal climates.