Hello from South Florida
 

Hello everybody. I moved into a house about 4 years ago and inherited a banana tree in the yard. It never produced fruit so I just thought it was an ornamental and was actually going to remove it this year but lo and behold it fruited this year. It must have anticipated my intentions :ha:

So now I am extremely interested in the proper care and maintenance, which brought me here. I'm afraid I don't have much input to offer since I am a complete newbie but I will be lurking and soaking up as much info as I can. Thanks for having me.

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

Welcome to the Jungle.....:woohoonaner:

Check out Youtube for great videos on how to care for your plant.
Pick and choose what can work for you.
After watching a few you will be growing like a pro.

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

Welcome to the Bunch. Please post a picture of the plant and a 2 close ups of the Bunch.


Even ornamental bananas can fruit. Eatable bananas are considered as those with no seeds. ... All bananas are eatable if you don't mind spitting seeds out like eating a watermelon.

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

Welcome to the banana gang!.......:2723::bananarow::2723:

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

Thanks!

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

Nice size bunch! Gonna have a good amount of bananas this fall! Might consider fertilizing them with potassium sulfate or muriate of potash. About 1/3 a cup monthly until harvest. Helps the bananas filll out.

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

I believe your nana plants are Orinoco and some times called Burro & favored in the Latino community. These are reliable grower for bananas eaten out of hand or cooked and easy to grow for many areas. The banana usually have a slight apple taste. But they are not considered to be better quality bananas by many growers. .... Matter of opinion though ... I have several Orinoco's in my patch with about 6 bunches growing now.


As an added note ... The Orinoco was widely shared banana plant in the southeastern US during the mid 1900's. It was found to be cold hardy to zones 9 & 8 and grown in many old gardens. While the Gros Michel field trials of the early 1900's was labeled as not commercially suitable for Florida and was not cold hardy outside of zones 9/10. Other banana varieties were not imported to the US until last few recent years.

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

Wow, you guys are amazing with your knowledge. I appreciate all the info and the warm welcome.

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

Hello and welcome. Im new hear to. Just wanted to say hi. I have grown Dwarf Orinoco for over 10 years and its come back every year for me in zone 7b. I never get fruit though.
Welcome

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

If the pstem dies back or is cut to to the ground each winter, you wont get a bud/flower. The bud is killed when it starts to develop. ...Try leaving the pstem 4 to 5 foot tall and protect it from freezing. ... Or put a large pup in a large pot & mix and in the garage for the winter. Bring it out after you last spring freeze.

Re: Hello from South Florida
 

I was planning on digging one up this year and trying that. I have always just use them as an ornamental. But now for some reason this year ive become addicted to bananas and want to see if i can get fruit. Thank you any help is appreciated.
Sylvia