Sunnyslope

Hello there!

I need some advice about whether to cut our rack down even though it's not done putting on fruit.

Our family is new to growing bananas and our first one just put out a flower about a month ago! It already has three rows and the flower is still putting out bananas. We are growing a hybrid cultivar grown on a farm, so I don't know its name, but they make bananas about 13 months after transplant.

Weather is getting cooler here (we are in zone 10a, northern hemisphere) at night. It's 80-88 for the next week or so, and 53-67 at night for the next week or so.

Can the plant even put on any more flowers based on temp? Should we just cut the rack down now and let it ripen inside? All bananas are still green and pretty small.

Thanks for your advice!
Blessings,
Sunnyslope

caliboy1994

I'm in zone 10a as well. I have a Blue Java that has just thrown out a flower bud myself, and I am choosing to keep mine.

You may still get a harvest as long as there are plenty of green leaves on the p-stem, but it's likely the fruit quality will be on the lower side. A lot of this depends on how cold hardy your particular variety is. If you're fine with that, it's definitely worth leaving them.

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pitangadiego

If it is still putting out bananas it is way to early to harvest. Leave it as long as the temps are above freezing. generally they need 6 months after flowering to mature the fruit before ripening

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cincinnana

You should have some time left with your average temperature of 75 degrees.

Like the others have said you have some time left.

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Art_R

I live right on the border between 9b and 10a (2023 update to the USDA Zone maps) Here is my experience. If there are plenty of leaves on the plant, and if there isn't a bad freeze during the winter, in the spring, the plant will pick up right where it left off in the fall and the fruit will continue to fill out and eventually ripen later on in the late spring.

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Here's what I'm growing: Grand Naine, Namwa, Blue Java, Raja Puri, Patupi, & a mystery nanner

Sunnyslope

You all have been so helpful in your replies! Thank you!