Bob

Here in the northeast where we can't in theory grow artichokes as they generally won't bear until the second year. Since they're not hardy here ,the only option is to"fool" them. We germinate the seed and grow it indoors in very warm temperatures for at least six weeks. They then go into a cold frame during the winter for at least another 6 and are subject to cold temperatures which simulates their first year and are then planted out in May with the rest of the warm season crops and they"think" they're in their second year and will reliably bear smallish chokes that season. Are bananas effected by the same temperature changes or is it as I've read elswhere depending more on leaf count and true age ? I figure that because of the steady temps in the tropics the answer would be no but, still I wonder if I was able to provide these conditions for bananas would I be able to get a variety such as Dwarf Namwah or D. Orinoco for example to produce edible fruit here in this climate earlier than would be normal. What do you think?

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Gabe15

As you alluded to, bananas are generally not receptive to changing temperatures to induce flowering, as they are tropical and mostly prefer warm temperatures all year long (though some prefer cooler temperatures, these are wild highland bananas and are not at all similar to edible bananas). It has been reported that Musella lasiocarpa may react to frost damage by flowering thereafter, however if this is true it is certainly not a requirement as I have seen the plant flower many times in frost free zones, and many on this board could also attest to that fact. However, Musella lasiocarpa is quite different from its edible banana cousins.

Bananas are also non responsive to photoperiod in the way that some plants are. Flowering is determined by maturity, if the plant is old enough and has enough energy and resources to flower, then it will, forcing it to try any earlier would likely result in significantly reduced yields. Leaf count is very unreliable, and the only way to make it useful is to count how many leaves a specific variety makes under your specific growing conditions before flowering, and then using that as an estimate for future generations of the same exact plants with your same exact growing conditions.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

Bob

Thanks Gabe , I thought so but, you never know unless you try.....Bob

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