Quote:
Originally Posted by ccamp
While we're on Hua Moa I've got a couple of questions:
Is there an idead time to harvest plantains or bananas if you are going to use them green?
My Hua Moa has two 4-5 foot pseudostems and they're doing well, but it hasn't really produced any pups since. Is the plant just putting all its resources into producing fruits or is something wrong with it?
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Generally speaking, most banana varieties should be harvested while green and then allowed to ripen. This is not inherently necessary, but if allowed to ripen on the plant often many other things start to enjoy them before you do (birds, rodents and insects usually). So for using under-ripe, you just harvest them like normal and use them before they ripen. To know when a variety is ready to harvest can take some practice. You can wait until the first fingers start to change color a little bit, but it can also be done before. When you see the fruit looks to be of mature size but has yet to change color, and the bunch has been on the plant long enough (usually 3-4 months in warm the tropics, sometimes 6+ in cooler climates but always variety dependent too), then you know they can be harvested.
And for your non-pupping 'Hua Moa', give it a break, its still young. Pups will come when they are ready, if the plant is growing there is nothing to worry about.