End of season not all Bad!
 

Things have been seeming a bit gloomie around here lately with the end of the season at hand. So, I thought I would share some up-beat banana growing experiences with everyone.


Banana Harvest 2005
My banana harvest this season started by teatering on the top of our 6ft fence.




After making the rounds and gathering all my bunches, here I am. A happy camper indeed.




California Gold Bunch - 28.5 Lb's




Praying Hands Bunch - 19.0 Lb's




Ice Cream Bunch (late bloomer) - 10.0 Lb's




Final Quality Inspection before seperating hands




Yes, we have bananas at Bananavilla today!!



Mike

Re: End of season not all Bad!
 

Mike, a nice harvest indeed. It looks like there will be a Happy Thanksgiving this year. Do I smell banana pudding?

Great Job!
Richard

Re: End of season not all Bad!
 

Quite possibly Richard. Or maybe Homemade Banana Ice Cream. Or just eat them fresh to appreciate the long process lol.

Did you get a handle on your contamination problem?
Mike

Re: End of season not all Bad!
 

I have another to add, Deep Fried Ripe CA Golds and Coconut Ice Cream. I made some yesterday for some "banana friends" of mine (using ripe orinocos) and they loved them.

It looks like the contamination problem has been solved (at least to some extent). I think my biggest problem was letting the cultures get too big before they were divided and subcultured.

I cut several of my bananas over the weekend also. Several of mine are in the greenhouses. So they can hang until they are ripe but several had to come down. Winter is right around the corner. We got to 37 degress Saturday morning. Here is a picture of some of the fruit I cut. Some of mine are not as well filled out as yours but after last year, I know they will ripen. You just have to eat 2 or 3 to get full. The weights were: Grand Nain-27 lbs; Orinoco-18 lbs; Goldfinger-27 lbs.

Re: End of season not all Bad!
 

Congratulation Mike!!!

I hope I will have bunches like yours in the coming years too.
Very beautiful.

Is that the California gold bunch from the plant with only 3 leafs?
Incredible!
What are the lowest temperatures you can get in winter?


Right know,I am watching the first snowflakes falling down. :eek:
But spring is coming earlier or later. :rolleyes:

Marcel

Re: End of season not all Bad!
 

maesy, yes this is the bunch from the 3 leafer. I was quite suprised to see it mature the bunch this well. I don't follow temps as religously as others here but I would have to guess that my yard doesn't see temps below 29-30 judging by the condition of my plants come out of winter compared with others in nearby areas.

Richard, you GA boys always amaze me with how well the cavendish varieties do for you down there. It has to be a humidity related issue. They will not tolerate full sun here in our desert like summers.
Mike

Re: End of season not all Bad!
 

Mike, any chance these will end up on the fruit page? Green for green!

Re: End of season not all Bad!
 

Mike,

What an incredible harvest!

To all of you banana growing enthusiasts out there, I can consent to the authenticity of the above pictures. I had the opportunity to meet Mike and see his suburban plantation a few days ago. His hanging fruit was quite impressive and inspiring to a novice banana grower like myself.

James
San Ramon, CA

Re: End of season not all Bad!
 

momoese, I don't have quite enough fruit to go around as far as offering them for sale. It seems like a bunch but they go fast with family, friends, and of course me :D

After James came by my place and invited me to come see his tripical hideaway, I decided to make the run (25 minutes + or -) down to his place yesterday. Man, I am quite envious of the mat of Raja Puri's that he has. Must but the stoutest, Fat Hog Raja's I have seen in person :eek:
Looks like he is set up very well for some banana blooms next season. His yard also makes me reallize how bad I have been lagging on keeping up the maintenance on my yard :o
All in all it is nice to now have someone so close that shares an interest in the bananas. Of course, as all plant freaks would do - we had to swap some plants, fruit, and the like.

Mike