Mj

I live in an area where our frost free season is between April and November if that. So when someone gave me a small plant a few years ago I thought I’d plant it for decoration only. Naturally they’ve multiplied quite a bit so I have quite a few banana plants now. I would cut them off at the ground before the first frost and they grow back in the spring. A couple of years ago I was surprised to find a large flower with a few hands of bananas when I cut one of the trees down. Then last year I had a couple of plants produce flowers around September. This year I actually had four flowers develop in late May/early June. I thought with possibly five months to grow, I might actually get some bananas. (I have gotten lazy in the last couple of years and have cut them off 3 or 4 feet above ground so they get a little head start in the spring) But it’s been 2 1/2 months since the bananas first appeared and they haven’t grown at all. They’re still only about an inch and a half long. Is it possible that these are ornamental bananas and no matter what I do they will not produce fruit?

Backyard Banana Joe

Need pics! I use Flickr if you can't figure out how to use this system.

edwmax

Yes, it's possible. .... But we really need pics to id the variety.

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Mj

https://www.flickr.com/photos/189850.../shares/098k55
I dont know if this link will work. If not, I’ll try something else. I didn’t have any success following the directions to upload photos.

Mj

Also, something I found interesting, the first flower I found a couple of years ago was purple, like most I’ve seen. This year they are all greenish yellow. This year the first one appeared May 15 on a plant no taller than 3 feet after it had only put out one leaf. The flower was small, about the size of my fist. The bananas are still only 1 1/2 inches long. The others are on taller 8-12 foot plants. They will normally get about 12-15 feet tall before I have to cut them down. I have never fertilized them.

Mj

https://www.flickr.com/photos/189850.../shares/gPj517
More pics.

Backyard Banana Joe

Looks like basjoo

Mj

Ok, thanks.
So I guess that means no banana pudding for me. At least they're a hit with the neighbors.

Mj

I notice there are quite a few cold hardy types. Could you recommend any that are similar to basjoo’s hardiness that bear fruit that I might try? I’m in Knoxville, TN which I believe is zone 7a.

Akula

Hey MJ!

It all depends on what resources you have and how bad you want a flower but I recommend a Dwarf Orinoco as your best shot. It's very cold hardy and rather small which makes it easier to winterize whether in the field or digging it up and putting in the basement. They are very tough!

If you have a greenhouse or a large winter garden/atrium in your house then you may have some other options.

Goood luck!

Mj

Thank you all.