jen

This bunch popped out begining of September and then we had a good windy storm maybe January if I remember right and it fell over even thought I propped it. I propped it back up and have been crossing my fingers. It is approaching 6 months in a week and my first bunch from this tree ripened exactly 6 months. These are not fat enough and I wonder if they just are not getting enough nutrients. The stalk has slowly died.

To complicate it a little further TWO other largest pups on this same plant are popping flags right now. So I want to put all the nutrients to those other two if this is just a lost cause. Should I wait and give it more time?

Any thoughts?

Jen

gadget

wow, first I was let it be. then thinking chop it, give the others more energy. but how much energy is it really taking from the others? it should be ready any day.

I say wait, unless you do not want to look at it anymore.

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Gabe15

If you cut it they will ripen, they probably won't get any bigger, its up to you.

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pitangadiego

First, they should be propped at the highest point of the flower stem, where it is the absolute furthest from the ground, at the top of the "arch". You appear to be about 1-2' short of that, so you still have the weight not fully off of the stem. It is all about weight and leverage. I would carefully add an additional support closer to the bunch. You are getting away with this, currently, because they are small bananas and a small bunch. If this had been a 50# bunch, it would have broken off by now.

Second, they will ripen, if they are have been on the plant long enough to mature. Or, as long as there is any connection in the stem to a viable plant, they will continue to progress in maturity and will ripen.

Be patient.

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jen

Thanks everyone. Thanks Jon I think I will add that second support and give it a little longer. They have gotten fatter in the last month but it's a race against the tree dying.

Jen

harveyc

Good luck, Jen.

My only banana to flower last year, an unknown variety, was too late in the year to mature and we had frost here in mid-November, to make matters worse. I left the bananas on until sometime in December when we got down to 25F and I knew I didn't want them to freeze so I got up on a ladder at midnight and cut the bunch. They were smaller than the bunch the year before (which was still an under-sized bunch, in my estimation), but they ripened up and still tasted pretty good, IMO. So I wouldn't be too discouraged, you should have some edible bananas even if you do lose that plant before they size up.

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jen

Thanks Harvey. That is good news. There are a few fat ones on there but so many that are still clearly not mature. I will be patient. It is getting harder every day because the other two flags are showing the flowers now. I'm so curious how these next two bunches will be. I'm just gonna cross my fingers and hope for the best.

I bought a Grand Nain to make myself feel better and planted it. hee hee

Jen

fishoifc

What kind of plant is that,seems like it is a good producer.

jen

It's a Mysore and it is a GREAT producer. It shoots pups like crazy too! There are two more flag leafs popping out right now so I'm curious with one bunch on the plant already and two popping out at the same time how many bananas will be on the new bunches. I will post pictures as it progresses.

Jen

jen

UPDATE... They did continue to get fatter and ripen. The top ones that turned yellow were fat, sweet, and just like last years crop. The ones on the bottom were a little too skinny but they did eventually ripen up and tasted good. My husband and kids loved them and ate them ALL! I even sent one out for tasting to Steve (DoctorSteve) but it was a few of the skinnier bottome ones.

So NEVER give up.

Jen

Abnshrek

Oh how I Love Happy Endings :^)

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Kostas

Thats great to hear and witness Jen!
Even though it has no leafs and it folded from the wind,it still grew and matured the bananas! That is awesome!

Wish you to get big bunches from the 2 other flowering pseudostems!

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