Bananas.org - View Single Post - My Helen's hybrid starts to emerge a flower bud!

LilRaverBoi · 06-08-2010, 11:33 PM

Honestly, (and to be honest, I don't know what parthenocarpic even means LOL) I've never heard of a banana that REQUIRED external pollination to get mature fruit. Pretty sure all the edible types have sterile male, female or both male/female flowers and that is how they get edible (unseeded) fruit. For the seeded varieties, it is my understanding that they are monoecious plants, meaning both male/female parts are on the same plant simultaneously and can self-pollinate (possibly insects are required). But I've never heard of any banana plant that NECESSITATES human interaction for pollination.

Edit...just looked up parthenocarpic and yes....I believe all edible banana types are indeed parthenocarpic. Otherwise, my above statements still stand.

06-08-2010, 11:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 160,325 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: My Helen's hybrid starts to emerge a flower bud! Honestly, (and to be honest, I don't know what parthenocarpic even means LOL) I've never heard of a banana that REQUIRED external pollination to get mature fruit. Pretty sure all the edible types have sterile male, female or both male/female flowers and that is how they get edible (unseeded) fruit. For the seeded varieties, it is my understanding that they are monoecious plants, meaning both male/female parts are on the same plant simultaneously and can self-pollinate (possibly insects are required). But I've never heard of any banana plant that NECESSITATES human interaction for pollination. Edit...just looked up parthenocarpic and yes....I believe all edible banana types are indeed parthenocarpic. Otherwise, my above statements still stand. __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!