Bunch size

sunfish · 07-19-2009, 02:55 PM

Is the number of fingers in the first hand any indication of bunch size?

momoese · 07-19-2009, 06:27 PM

I haven't been able to tell on mine. Most have had around 10-15 fingers on the first hand but some end up with over 250 fingers total while others only 50-60.

Scot Nelson · 07-19-2009, 06:30 PM

I find that bunch size is a function of pseudostem diameter. Wider pseudostem = larger bunch.

Gabe15 · 07-20-2009, 01:39 AM

Firstly its a function of variety, some varieties will naturally have more fingers per hand than others, as well as more hands per bunch. The first hand will often have slightly less fingers than subsequent hands as well. If the plants are not well maintained, then they will have small bunches and thus small hands too, but as Scot pointed out, you would be able to tell in advance how healthy the plant is by the size of the plant relative to its potential. I would say that if you grow enough bunches of the same variety in the same conditions, you might be able to find an indication of bunch size by looking at the first hand, but on a well managed plant, the bunches should be fairly consistent after the first generation.

07-19-2009, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,009,937 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Bunch size Is the number of fingers in the first hand any indication of bunch size?

07-19-2009, 06:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,590 BananaBucks : 3,229 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,754 Times Was Thanked 10,888 Times in 3,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 729 Times	Re: Bunch size I haven't been able to tell on mine. Most have had around 10-15 fingers on the first hand but some end up with over 250 fingers total while others only 50-60.

07-19-2009, 06:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scot Nelson Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Zone: 10-11 Name: Scot Nelson Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 90 BananaBucks : 50,011 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 128 Times Was Thanked 257 Times in 56 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: Bunch size I find that bunch size is a function of pseudostem diameter. Wider pseudostem = larger bunch.

07-20-2009, 01:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,349,494 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 8,241 Times in 2,200 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Bunch size Firstly its a function of variety, some varieties will naturally have more fingers per hand than others, as well as more hands per bunch. The first hand will often have slightly less fingers than subsequent hands as well. If the plants are not well maintained, then they will have small bunches and thus small hands too, but as Scot pointed out, you would be able to tell in advance how healthy the plant is by the size of the plant relative to its potential. I would say that if you grow enough bunches of the same variety in the same conditions, you might be able to find an indication of bunch size by looking at the first hand, but on a well managed plant, the bunches should be fairly consistent after the first generation. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

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