plundccre

How large should the fruit get on a Raja Puri? My plant had two blooms going (on different stems). The first one was choked and never developed and just rotted away. The second bunch has 6 hands but the fruit is only 3 - 4" at best, is hard and dark green and has been hanging for 4 1/2 months now. Does it sound like this bunch is stunted? Will it ripen better if I cut the stalk off? Should I give it more time? The weather is starting to drop into the mid'50's at night now but is can still be in the 70's to low 80's during the days.

Darkman

Not the same but my Orinoco has been hanging for the same time. Bloomed June 1, 2011 and it is still green but they are filled out nicely. If yours have filled completely then the only thing left is wait. If you suspect a freeze or frost damage you can cut and hang to let them finish ripening.

This thread may interest you.

Early picking a green hand to ripen?

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Darkman in Pensacola

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Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

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Clare_CA

My Raja Puri is a big mat, and it had two flowers open right before winter. See pictures below. In the spring, two more came in. The fruit is very small and not that tasty, and it took a long time to mature. I think it took ten months for the first bunch, but winter probably slowed the maturation down. Admittedly, it is a large mat, and I don't think I fertilized very much if at all.

It has beautiful leaves that stand up to wind well, but it is on my list of bananas that I will be getting rid of.

October, 2010:



November, 2010:



January, 2011:



Second flower, January, 2011:



Harvest, August, 2011:

hydroid

Clare... what growing zone are you? I have been growing the Raja-Puri for about 3 yrs. and finally got fruit this past year but it was a very small bunch and not that tasty. But I hear alot of good reports about it and many folks really like them for our growing zone. I'm thinking of focusing my attention to the Dwarf Namwah when I get back stateside.
Bo

Clare_CA

Hi Bo, I'm in Zone 10 in Ventura County, California. I have Dwarf Namwah, but it just flowered and fruited a little while ago and is still on the banana. The fruit already looks bigger than the fruit on Raja Puri. I'm still pretty new to growing bananas. I planted the Raja Puri right around September of 2009.

hydroid

Please keep us posted on your results with the Dwarf Namwah as compared to the Raja-Puri.
I know my results will be less since I am quite a bit cooler, I am in a cooler Zone 9 along the Gulf Coast, so I am happy to get whatever I can. I know the colder climate really makes a difference in my fruit production.
Those pics are great, I am very envious.
Bo

venturabananas

The Rajapuri fruits I've seen have all been small and that's how they are described in all the books. Dwarf Namwah normally has larger fruit. I've had some very tasty, though small, Rajapuri fruit.

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Darkman

Thanks Clare,

Please keep us informed. Bo and I are collaborating on which bananas we need to be growing. With two of us if one loses something hopefully the other will still have it.

__________________
Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.