Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to..

jen · 12-06-2008, 10:33 AM

It's been too long since I've been here. Hope everyones banana's are staying warm.

My bananas are looking pretty full and filled out. The plant first bloomed August 4th. I'm in southern cal by the beach and the nights are pretty cool right now. Should I cut them and bring them in? I just hesitate because I don't want to ruin the whole bunch if they are not ready.

This is my first harvest.

Jen

Bob · 12-06-2008, 05:29 PM

Congrats Jen!

I am interested in seeing replys and hoping I face the same dillema some day!

island cassie · 12-06-2008, 08:21 PM

Hi Jen

I reckon on about 4 months for a bunch to ripen from the first fruit appearing, so yours must be be nearly ready now regardless of the variety. I would cut them now and bring them in as they must be very nearly ripe! Congratulations and good luck!

momoese · 12-06-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen

It's been too long since I've been here. Hope everyones banana's are staying warm.

My bananas are looking pretty full and filled out. The plant first bloomed August 4th. I'm in southern cal by the beach and the nights are pretty cool right now. Should I cut them and bring them in? I just hesitate because I don't want to ruin the whole bunch if they are not ready.

This is my first harvest.

Jen

Jen, I'm in West LA so our temps are pretty much the same. Unless we are going to have a frost leave them on until some start turning yellow. In my garden it takes 6-7 months from the time the first fruit develops.

island cassie · 12-06-2008, 09:02 PM

Wow Mitchell - 6 to 7 months??

momoese · 12-06-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island cassie

Wow Mitchell - 6 to 7 months??

I don't think anything has ripened on the plant in my garden in less than 6 months. The reds seem to take way longer. I know Pitangadiego also has the same time frame and he is 2 hours south of me in San Diego. He also uses different growing methods than I do. I'm totally organic here.

I know I could cut them before they turn yellow on the plant and they would still ripen, but I like the feeling of picking ripe fruit from the garden, and I think they taste better!

pitangadiego · 12-06-2008, 09:54 PM

Do no pick them. If you want to vut the top hand off and bring them indoors and see whether they will ripen up, fine. I never pick anything before 6 months.

island cassie · 12-07-2008, 05:03 PM

Well it must be down to temperature then Mitchell. My dwarf cavendish and tall red are ripe on the plant in three and a half months, and the orinoco take four months.

momoese · 12-07-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island cassie

Well it must be down to temperature then Mitchell. My dwarf cavendish and tall red are ripe on the plant in three and a half months, and the orinoco take four months.

Jeez, I wish they would ripen that fast here!

jen · 12-08-2008, 04:00 PM

Okay, thanks. I will just leave them for a couple more months. I just felt like it was getting so cold at night I thought it might ruin them and although it's only been four months...it's been four months! I'm excited and feel like I have invested time and energy and I would be so disapointed if I left them out in the cold and it hurt them. I will wait a couple more months I guess. I know John knows what he is talking about and my climate is close to his so I will do as I'm told.

Thanks as always.

Jen

Nicolas Naranja · 12-08-2008, 10:15 PM

I know it feels like someone left the fridge door open down here in south Florida. It got cool early and the nights have been in the 50s and the days have been in the 70s and everything has slowed way down. Up until October I was harvesting frequently, and now I am in a state of suspended animation with these finicky dwarf cavendish. It's normally 4-5 months here but now I don't even know.

pitangadiego · 12-09-2008, 12:45 AM

Momese. places that ripen bananas in 3 months have really big bugs.

momoese · 12-09-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitangadiego

Momese. places that ripen bananas in 3 months have really big bugs.

Not only big, but with wings too.

pitangadiego · 12-09-2008, 02:15 PM

And a LOT of friends and relatives.

paradisi · 12-10-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen

It's been too long since I've been here. Hope everyones banana's are staying warm.

My bananas are looking pretty full and filled out. The plant first bloomed August 4th. I'm in southern cal by the beach and the nights are pretty cool right now. Should I cut them and bring them in? I just hesitate because I don't want to ruin the whole bunch if they are not ready.

This is my first harvest.

Jen

I had to cut some lady fingers two months before they were due to be ripe - they were about half grown - - took a while but all the small bananas ripened under my pergola and covered with plastic.

do you get frosts? watch out for frosts coming if you leave them on the plant

MediaHound · 12-10-2008, 06:40 PM

Amazing that we all still learn so much about bananas all the time... everyone has different experiences.
The advice Pitangadiego gave about picking the top hand is very good advice.

momoese · 12-10-2008, 07:05 PM

Just in case you can't wait, I can asure you they will ripen at any stage. Here is proof positive. The penny is for scale.

harveyc · 12-11-2008, 12:44 AM

I've still got 3 bunches of fruit on my plants. I'm not certain what any of them are but the first two that bloomed are very angular type fruit and don't seem to be filling out at all. The one that bloomed last back in September has small fruit about four inches long that are nice and round. I cut one finger of each a few days ago to see what happens. I've got them in a plastic bag with an apple. It might be my imagination, but I believe the small one is turning color. I had my first frost this morning but am still not giving up yet. All of my bunches are covered with plastic bags. It's encouraging to see your fruit ripened, Mitchel!

Harvey

island cassie · 12-12-2008, 11:44 PM

Pitangodieso, momese - we have no problems here with bugs!!

Patty in Wisc · 12-13-2008, 02:36 AM

Cassie, they are referring to Tog Tan's post on planting his 100(s) of nanas. He is wearing shorts & we are freezing here in north, so Pitangadiego said something about him putting up with big bugs in trade of the warmth there LOL. So, do we want cold air or warmth w/ big bugs!? (I hear there are bigger bugs in the tropics!)

12-06-2008, 10:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
jen jen's Photo Gallery Zone: 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 215 BananaBucks : 72,420 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 56 Times Was Thanked 174 Times in 66 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. It's been too long since I've been here. Hope everyones banana's are staying warm. My bananas are looking pretty full and filled out. The plant first bloomed August 4th. I'm in southern cal by the beach and the nights are pretty cool right now. Should I cut them and bring them in? I just hesitate because I don't want to ruin the whole bunch if they are not ready. This is my first harvest. Jen

12-06-2008, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Washington Twp N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,528 BananaBucks : 216,484 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,537 Times Was Thanked 4,058 Times in 1,694 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Congrats Jen! I am interested in seeing replys and hoping I face the same dillema some day! __________________

12-06-2008, 08:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 409,063 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Hi Jen I reckon on about 4 months for a bunch to ripen from the first fruit appearing, so yours must be be nearly ready now regardless of the variety. I would cut them now and bring them in as they must be very nearly ripe! Congratulations and good luck!

12-06-2008, 09:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 409,063 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Wow Mitchell - 6 to 7 months??

12-06-2008, 09:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,489 BananaBucks : 144,082 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,730 Times in 930 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Do no pick them. If you want to vut the top hand off and bring them indoors and see whether they will ripen up, fine. I never pick anything before 6 months. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

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12-07-2008, 05:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 409,063 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Well it must be down to temperature then Mitchell. My dwarf cavendish and tall red are ripe on the plant in three and a half months, and the orinoco take four months.

12-08-2008, 04:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
jen jen's Photo Gallery Zone: 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 215 BananaBucks : 72,420 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 56 Times Was Thanked 174 Times in 66 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Okay, thanks. I will just leave them for a couple more months. I just felt like it was getting so cold at night I thought it might ruin them and although it's only been four months...it's been four months! I'm excited and feel like I have invested time and energy and I would be so disapointed if I left them out in the cold and it hurt them. I will wait a couple more months I guess. I know John knows what he is talking about and my climate is close to his so I will do as I'm told. Thanks as always. Jen

12-08-2008, 10:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja 's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 492,478 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,665 Times in 1,563 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. I know it feels like someone left the fridge door open down here in south Florida. It got cool early and the nights have been in the 50s and the days have been in the 70s and everything has slowed way down. Up until October I was harvesting frequently, and now I am in a state of suspended animation with these finicky dwarf cavendish. It's normally 4-5 months here but now I don't even know. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

12-09-2008, 12:45 AM	#12 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,489 BananaBucks : 144,082 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,730 Times in 930 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Momese. places that ripen bananas in 3 months have really big bugs. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

12-09-2008, 02:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,489 BananaBucks : 144,082 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,730 Times in 930 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. And a LOT of friends and relatives. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

12-10-2008, 06:40 PM	#16 (permalink)
MediaHound Tally-Man MediaHound's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Jarred Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,261 BananaBucks : 2,117,316 Feedback: 66 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,856 Times Was Thanked 5,087 Times in 1,353 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,086 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Amazing that we all still learn so much about bananas all the time... everyone has different experiences. The advice Pitangadiego gave about picking the top hand is very good advice. __________________ Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

12-10-2008, 07:05 PM	#17 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,590 BananaBucks : 66,829 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,754 Times Was Thanked 10,888 Times in 3,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 729 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Just in case you can't wait, I can asure you they will ripen at any stage. Here is proof positive. The penny is for scale.

12-11-2008, 12:44 AM	#18 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,119 BananaBucks : 303,080 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,025 Times Was Thanked 4,460 Times in 1,896 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. I've still got 3 bunches of fruit on my plants. I'm not certain what any of them are but the first two that bloomed are very angular type fruit and don't seem to be filling out at all. The one that bloomed last back in September has small fruit about four inches long that are nice and round. I cut one finger of each a few days ago to see what happens. I've got them in a plastic bag with an apple. It might be my imagination, but I believe the small one is turning color. I had my first frost this morning but am still not giving up yet. All of my bunches are covered with plastic bags. It's encouraging to see your fruit ripened, Mitchel! Harvey __________________

12-12-2008, 11:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 409,063 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Pitangodieso, momese - we have no problems here with bugs!!

12-13-2008, 02:36 AM	#20 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 359,296 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: Time to cut fruit? I'm afraid to.. Cassie, they are referring to Tog Tan's post on planting his 100(s) of nanas. He is wearing shorts & we are freezing here in north, so Pitangadiego said something about him putting up with big bugs in trade of the warmth there LOL. So, do we want cold air or warmth w/ big bugs!? (I hear there are bigger bugs in the tropics!) __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

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