Finally, my first flower!

joekun · 03-14-2014, 01:27 AM

After 3 and a half years of waiting I finally have my first banana flower! One Blue Java tree has grown into 3 mats with varying numbers of stems, but it was the original tree (which after 6 months in the ground was completely shredded by what was likely a raccoon) that flowered. I came here to see what I need to do to ensure that I get edible bananas from this flower, but there is so much information in the forum that I'm having a hard time finding the info.

How long does should I expect to wait before I get to eat a banana? The flower just appeared within the last week (extended family is asking!)

Is there anything I need to do? Just let the flower produce bananas? Do I cut off the flower at some point or just let it keep going and do its thing? Do they need to be bagged eventually, or is that just a commercial growing practice?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I am very excited!

Richard · 03-14-2014, 01:40 AM

Congratulations!

joekun · 03-14-2014, 02:04 AM

Thanks Richard! Just ordered some fruit fuel from you today to make sure my trees have all the nutrition they need.

caliboy1994 · 03-15-2014, 07:13 PM

Congrats! In Southern California you can expect six months. By the time September comes around you should have bananas to eat!

I'd try not to fert too much with nitrogen, but give them lots of potassium. Be careful not to overfretilize.

amantedelenguaje · 03-15-2014, 07:34 PM

Congratulations! Post some picks, if you get a chance.

Kat2 · 03-15-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amantedelenguaje

Congratulations! Post some picks, if you get a chance.

Yeah or it didn't happen.

joekun · 03-16-2014, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kat2

Yeah or it didn't happen.

Ha ha, maybe it didn't. Beat up the fool told me them lies!

Kat2 · 03-16-2014, 07:31 PM

It's not quacking, is it? Or waddling? Or swimming in a pool? If it's not doing those things, I have a feeling it's not a duck. Indeed it looks like a flower to me. Congratulations! Had to leave my 1 year old DC behind when I moved so it's going to be another year at least until I see blooms of my own. I will enjoy yours for now.

joekun · 03-16-2014, 07:36 PM

I've been wondering what a DC is as I saw some people posting it is one of the best varieties. Does it mean dwarf cavendish?

Kat2 · 03-16-2014, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joekun

I've been wondering what a DC is as I saw some people posting it is one of the best varieties. Does it mean dwarf cavendish?

Yes, it's Dwarf Cavendish and apparently a plebeian variety. I bought mine on Mother's Day last year because I wanted "flowers" and, living up north, had never even seen a banana plant before. I may have severed a few pups successfully: time will tell. I have a few other varieties in pots also.

03-14-2014, 01:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
joekun Location: Burbank, CA Zone: 10b Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 17,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 28 Times in 8 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Finally, my first flower! After 3 and a half years of waiting I finally have my first banana flower! One Blue Java tree has grown into 3 mats with varying numbers of stems, but it was the original tree (which after 6 months in the ground was completely shredded by what was likely a raccoon) that flowered. I came here to see what I need to do to ensure that I get edible bananas from this flower, but there is so much information in the forum that I'm having a hard time finding the info. How long does should I expect to wait before I get to eat a banana? The flower just appeared within the last week (extended family is asking!) Is there anything I need to do? Just let the flower produce bananas? Do I cut off the flower at some point or just let it keep going and do its thing? Do they need to be bagged eventually, or is that just a commercial growing practice? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I am very excited!

03-14-2014, 01:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 508,292 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Finally, my first flower! Congratulations! __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

03-14-2014, 02:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
joekun Location: Burbank, CA Zone: 10b Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 17,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 28 Times in 8 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Finally, my first flower! Thanks Richard! Just ordered some fruit fuel from you today to make sure my trees have all the nutrition they need.

03-15-2014, 07:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
caliboy1994 <div style="font-style: italic;"><div style="font-style: italic;"></div></div> caliboy1994's Photo Gallery Location: SFV, California Find me on the map! Zone: USDA zone 10a; Sunset zone 18/19 Name: Andreas Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,301 BananaBucks : 251,126 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,474 Times Was Thanked 2,196 Times in 1,148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 236 Times	Re: Finally, my first flower! Congrats! In Southern California you can expect six months. By the time September comes around you should have bananas to eat! I'd try not to fert too much with nitrogen, but give them lots of potassium. Be careful not to overfretilize. __________________ "The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka Find me on linktree here as Solarpunk Farmer: https://linktr.ee/solarpunkfarmer

03-15-2014, 07:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
amantedelenguaje amantedelenguaje Zone: 7 Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 333 BananaBucks : 30,482 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 832 Times Was Thanked 599 Times in 200 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,393 Times	Re: Finally, my first flower! Congratulations! Post some picks, if you get a chance. __________________

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03-16-2014, 07:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kat2 Location: Now nesting in Titusville, FL Zone: 10A or 9B ish. Like it matters? Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2,153 BananaBucks : 239,745 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,921 Times Was Thanked 2,669 Times in 1,322 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 595 Times	Re: Finally, my first flower! It's not quacking, is it? Or waddling? Or swimming in a pool? If it's not doing those things, I have a feeling it's not a duck. Indeed it looks like a flower to me. Congratulations! Had to leave my 1 year old DC behind when I moved so it's going to be another year at least until I see blooms of my own. I will enjoy yours for now. __________________

03-16-2014, 07:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
joekun Location: Burbank, CA Zone: 10b Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 14 BananaBucks : 17,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 28 Times in 8 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Finally, my first flower! I've been wondering what a DC is as I saw some people posting it is one of the best varieties. Does it mean dwarf cavendish?

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