by Eve Redstone

Created on: November 09, 2008   Last Updated: August 30, 2009

Bananas are the most popular fruit in the world, and if you live in a warm climate growing bananas is easy.

Bananas are actually an herb, but they can be thought of as a palm tree in terms on the way in which they grow. New leaves come up from through the centre of the plant, unfurling into the big floppy leaves when they come out of the top. The stem is formed from the stalks of these leaves.

The flower of the banana plant comes up from through the centre in the same way. The stalk carrying the flower then arches over. The layers of petals furl back one at a time revealing a layer of female fruit (the bananas). After between four and a dozen hands of bananas the petals peel back to reveal the male fruit, which looks like a less convincing banana. These dry up and drop off. At this point many banana growers remove the flower from the stalk. This can go straight on the compost heap or be prepared to be eaten in several Indonesian dishes.

It is not necessary to remove the flower to get a good crop. Some growers remove a few hands of fruit as well, to increase the size of those remaining. A very full stalk will need propping with a forked stick to prevent it from pulling the plant over. Some growers bag the fruit at this stage to protect the fruit from scavengers, but this is not necessary for a good harvest.

The fruit ripens over the next three months one hand at a time, the best tasting bananas are those left to ripen on the plant. There comes a point where the whole stalk has to be removed to rescue it from animals or because it is ripening. At this point the whole stalk will ripen together. From planting to ripe fruit takes between six and nine months.

What banana plants need to grow well:

Shelter. Banana plants are susceptible to wind damage and like company, for this reason they are often better grown in a clump. That way they form a wind break. Growing clumps also helps even out temperature fluctuations and humidity.

Food. Bananas are hungry, hungry, hungry. They will grow without food but will not fruit. Many old growers advocate digging fish heads into the soil before planting, but good compost or manure will suffice. Keep up the food while the plant is growing.

Water. Bananas are thirsty. The leaves lose a lot of water and it needs replacing. A grey water diversion system is ideal in dry areas.

Warmth. Bananas live best in sub tropical to tropical climates. They survive whatever heat is thrown at them as long as they get plenty of water but will stop growing at below 32F (14C). The leaves die off following a frost but the plant may recover with love and attention.

After a banana plant has fruited it dies. If you look around the base at this point you find small shoots around the base. These are the new plants. The best ones are spear shaped and about four feet high, the ones with round leaves tend to be less successful.

Use a sharp spade to cut the babies from the mother and allow them to grow on. The mother plant can be chopped down and used as mulch for the baby plants. A banana clump can be self caring as long as it has enough water but a better result is obtained if you chop down dead leaves and plants and remove most of the suckers except the best ones.

Note: In some areas a licence is necessary to grow bananas, or to transport, buy or sell plants, even on a backyard basis. If you live near commercial banana areas check your local statutes.

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