[Arid_gardener] Banana

[Dick Gross]

Hi, Debra. 

In perfect Hawaiian climate, it takes no less than 15 months for a sucker to erupt from the corm, shoot a bud and rippen a bunch of bananas. At whatever time the sucker emerges, count ahead 15 months and that will be roughly when you can start your banana split.

But, on Oahu, the temperature never drops below about about 85F and almost never over 90. 

But, here in Phoenix, the low temp is in the low 40s for four months or so. In this temperature range, growth is nearly at a stand-still, like one new leaf monthly compared to about one per week in July with adequate water and feeding. Unfortunately, temperatures of 110 can't make up the difference or compensate. If the bunch matures during the warm season, you have a pretty good chance of them ripening. If not, buy those you eat from Safeway and use the bunch in the yard to impress neighbors and friends. I have a beautiful grove with 4 bunches now. I will rejoice if I get to peel a half dozen. As soon as the individual bananas start falling off the stalk, cut off the flower head to conserve energy- - - or leave it for its beauty.

Your own at 14 months is getting close but be patient. It could take 24 months. Every stem has, by the way, the potential to produce a stalk of bananas. A dense grove distributes the available nutrient and energy pretty thin causing fruit to be rather puny.

My banana grove is the most interesting feature in my yard although its culture requires a little time. I will send an article on banana culture in the desert.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener volunteer
Sec/Ed Arizona Rare Fruit Growers

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Debora moritz" <deboramoritz at hotmail.com>
To: <arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 8:00 AM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Banana


> My banana, of unknown variety, is sending up its fruit/flower stalk.  Is 
> this a ususal time of year for a banana to fruit in Maricopa Cty?  If yes, 
> when would I expect the fruit to be ripe?
> 
> This banana has been in the ground for 14 months, started from a single 3 
> ft. stump.
> 
> Debora Moritz
> 
> 
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