Cut them or let them grow a little longer?

joekun · 12-06-2014, 02:53 PM

Hi all, I'm in zone 10b and have a nice small bunch of bananas growing on one of my trees. These are supposedly Ice Cream, but I don't think they are the real deal, too green. Anyhow, the bunch emerged in early July. I've been told it takes about 6 months for them to be ready here, but night time temps are starting to dip into the high 40s. Should I cut them and bring them inside?

On Thanksgiving my mom asked for some bananas, so I cut a few off and gave them to her. They turned yellow and she tried them, but I was told they tasted "green." That made me think they may need more time. Though since I've never tasted them they could be terrible bananas for all I know.

I appreciate any advice.

The Bananas

The flower (I read when the bananas are ready that the flower dies, but not sure if this is true)

Another bunch on another mat. This one emerged in mid October, hoping it will overwinter. Normally all my leaves die though, so not sure if that is possible.

kubali · 12-06-2014, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekun

Hi all, I'm in zone 10b and have a nice small bunch of bananas growing on one of my trees. These are supposedly Ice Cream, but I don't think they are the real deal, too green. Anyhow, the bunch emerged in early July. I've been told it takes about 6 months for them to be ready here, but night time temps are starting to dip into the high 40s. Should I cut them and bring them inside?

On Thanksgiving my mom asked for some bananas, so I cut a few off and gave them to her. They turned yellow and she tried them, but I was told they tasted "green." That made me think they may need more time. Though since I've never tasted them they could be terrible bananas for all I know.

I appreciate any advice.

The Bananas

The flower (I read when the bananas are ready that the flower dies, but not sure if this is true)

Another bunch on another mat. This one emerged in mid October, hoping it will overwinter. Normally all my leaves die though, so not sure if that is possible.

the bunch in the first picture are ready to cut off, the other bunch still needs to fill out quite a bit. Now as for when the flower dies the banana is ready,the flower on the end of the fingers that is not true at all. and a lot of times people think that when the peel first turns yellow it is fully ripe, but that is not the case always. depends on the kind .but mine has been 3-4 days after the peel turns yellow and sometimes will not be fully ripe till peel turns brown and I am in 90 degree weather when they turn usually. Try one if not ripe wait 3-4 days and try again till they are.

PR-Giants · 12-06-2014, 07:02 PM

Yes it's true, and it's a great technique. I've used it thousands of times and used it again earlier today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekun

(I read when the bananas are ready that the flower dies, but not sure if this is true)

joekun · 12-07-2014, 12:58 AM

Thanks so much for the advice! Those look awesome PR! I went ahead and harvested mine. Can't wait to have my first taste. 58 bananas in total.

venturabananas · 12-07-2014, 01:35 AM

They are "Namwah Ice Cream". Let them get completely yellow, no green on the peel, and with some black would be even better. If you eat them at the stage most people eat a supermarket Cavendish, you will be disappointed.

PR-Giants · 12-07-2014, 11:45 AM

Harvested a few more bunches this morning.

pitangadiego · 12-07-2014, 04:55 PM

I would leave them longer. 6 months is a rule of thumb. Pretty close for Namwah, not even close for Ice Cream. All depends on your climate and when it flowered.

The flower has no relationship to ripeness. Every variety is different. Some varieties will flower for months after the bananas are ripe and picked. Tall Namwah might continue to flower for up to a year.

PR-Giants · 12-07-2014, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitangadiego

The flower has no relationship to ripeness. Every variety is different. Some varieties will flower for months after the bananas are ripe and picked. Tall Namwah might continue to flower for up to a year.

Interesting, I only grow slightly over 100 cultivars, but the flower & harvest thing seemed pretty standard. I've got about 30 Tall Namwahs with bunches hanging, so I'll try keep track of them and see what happens.

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 12-07-2014, 08:43 PM

I would at least cut the stalk off below the bananas. This lets the plant more resources into the fruit. If you like the way they are cut the stalk off and eat. How big is the tree?

pitangadiego · 12-10-2014, 01:12 AM

I have a Tall Namwah that ripened fruit in early summer and nit is still flowering, and likely will be doing so into the new year.

A.Hulva - I would strongly agree, in theory, but have been unable to document a difference with/without the flower in practice. Additionally, I do leave flowers on frequently because, as a demonstration garden, I need to have plants with flowers intact as an educational aid for our customers.

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 12-10-2014, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitangadiego

I have a Tall Namwah that ripened fruit in early summer and nit is still flowering, and likely will be doing so into the new year.

A.Hulva - I would strongly agree, in theory, but have been unable to document a difference with/without the flower in practice. Additionally, I do leave flowers on frequently because, as a demonstration garden, I need to have plants with flowers intact as an educational aid for our customers.

How tall does the "Tall Namwah" get? I am looking for the largest, tallest trees I can find.
Thanks,
Al

Hammocked Banana · 12-10-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a.hulva@coxinet.net

How tall does the "Tall Namwah" get? I am looking for the largest, tallest trees I can find.
Thanks,
Al

Kandarian is what you want then.

pitangadiego · 12-11-2014, 12:37 AM

Tall Namwah, abut 13-14' trunk and 20+ leaf tip.

PR-Giants · 01-14-2015, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitangadiego

The flower has no relationship to ripeness. Every variety is different. Some varieties will flower for months after the bananas are ripe and picked. Tall Namwah might continue to flower for up to a year.

Tall Namwa 4 months after bud emergence, the flower will be finished before harvest.

BrianOC714 · 01-17-2015, 01:43 PM

Here is a link to my last thread, with some pictures of my blue java bananas, for comparison. My bunch seems to have much more of a blue tint to them. Good luck with your bananas.

When are they ripe?

12-06-2014, 02:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
joekun Location: Burbank, CA Zone: 10b Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 20,019 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 28 Times in 8 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Cut them or let them grow a little longer? Hi all, I'm in zone 10b and have a nice small bunch of bananas growing on one of my trees. These are supposedly Ice Cream, but I don't think they are the real deal, too green. Anyhow, the bunch emerged in early July. I've been told it takes about 6 months for them to be ready here, but night time temps are starting to dip into the high 40s. Should I cut them and bring them inside? On Thanksgiving my mom asked for some bananas, so I cut a few off and gave them to her. They turned yellow and she tried them, but I was told they tasted "green." That made me think they may need more time. Though since I've never tasted them they could be terrible bananas for all I know. I appreciate any advice. The Bananas The flower (I read when the bananas are ready that the flower dies, but not sure if this is true) Another bunch on another mat. This one emerged in mid October, hoping it will overwinter. Normally all my leaves die though, so not sure if that is possible.

12-07-2014, 12:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
joekun Location: Burbank, CA Zone: 10b Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 20,019 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 28 Times in 8 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Cut them or let them grow a little longer? Thanks so much for the advice! Those look awesome PR! I went ahead and harvested mine. Can't wait to have my first taste. 58 bananas in total.

12-07-2014, 01:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
venturabananas venturabananas's Photo Gallery Location: Ventura, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Mark Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,845 BananaBucks : 264,200 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,752 Times Was Thanked 3,969 Times in 1,713 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 39 Times	Re: Cut them or let them grow a little longer? They are "Namwah Ice Cream". Let them get completely yellow, no green on the peel, and with some black would be even better. If you eat them at the stage most people eat a supermarket Cavendish, you will be disappointed. __________________

12-07-2014, 11:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
PR-Giants Commercial Grower Location: Florida & Greater Antilles Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,726 BananaBucks : 42 Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,963 Times Was Thanked 12,925 Times in 3,798 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3,225 Times	Re: Cut them or let them grow a little longer? Harvested a few more bunches this morning. __________________ PR-Giants Photo Gallery 15,000+ Varieties

12-07-2014, 04:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,489 BananaBucks : 166,364 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,732 Times in 930 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Cut them or let them grow a little longer? I would leave them longer. 6 months is a rule of thumb. Pretty close for Namwah, not even close for Ice Cream. All depends on your climate and when it flowered. The flower has no relationship to ripeness. Every variety is different. Some varieties will flower for months after the bananas are ripe and picked. Tall Namwah might continue to flower for up to a year. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

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12-07-2014, 08:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
a.hulva@coxinet.net Location: Edmond, OK Zone: 73034 Name: Al Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 456 BananaBucks : 55,427 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3,694 Times Was Thanked 779 Times in 317 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Cut them or let them grow a little longer? I would at least cut the stalk off below the bananas. This lets the plant more resources into the fruit. If you like the way they are cut the stalk off and eat. How big is the tree?

12-10-2014, 01:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,489 BananaBucks : 166,364 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,732 Times in 930 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Cut them or let them grow a little longer? I have a Tall Namwah that ripened fruit in early summer and nit is still flowering, and likely will be doing so into the new year. A.Hulva - I would strongly agree, in theory, but have been unable to document a difference with/without the flower in practice. Additionally, I do leave flowers on frequently because, as a demonstration garden, I need to have plants with flowers intact as an educational aid for our customers. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

12-11-2014, 12:37 AM	#13 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,489 BananaBucks : 166,364 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,732 Times in 930 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Cut them or let them grow a little longer? Tall Namwah, abut 13-14' trunk and 20+ leaf tip. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

01-17-2015, 01:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
BrianOC714 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Brian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 110 BananaBucks : 24,340 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 71 Times Was Thanked 88 Times in 49 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 46 Times	Re: Cut them or let them grow a little longer? Here is a link to my last thread, with some pictures of my blue java bananas, for comparison. My bunch seems to have much more of a blue tint to them. Good luck with your bananas. When are they ripe? __________________ My bananas: AeAe Apple Manzano Blue Java Dwarf Cavendish Dwarf Namwah Dwarf Red FHIA-1 Goldfinger Grand Nain Gros Michel Pisang Klotek Rajapuri SH-3640 Veinte Cohol

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