There aren’t many sights in my garden more majestic than the banana flower. What’s not to love, even if you don’t like bananas!
Each time a flower petal separates from the bulb, a hand of bananas is revealed. Eventually the small bananas fall off with the petals, this is a sign that the flower is almost done fruiting.
When the bulb is hanging about thirty centimetres below the last hand of bananas, chop it off. This will stop all energy being put into the flower allow the fruit still hanging on the tree to mature.
Unless you love fruit bats and possums, and hate bananas, now is the time to bag the fruit and wait for maturity so you can enjoy some for yourself. Chop the bottom and top out of a large bag. Thread it over all the banana hands, and tie it at the top, around the stalk. I’ve used a zip tie to make sure it isn’t going to come off.
Voila, wait for the fruit to ripen. This is my first banana growing season, and I’ve read it takes about three months from fruit appearing. If you chop down them whilst they are still green they will ripen indoors, firmly ensuring you have your own supply!
