If you have ever considered growing bananas, this post is for you!
Banana Beginnings
Mr. Grump loves bananas. When we first moved to Central Florida, his only plant request was that we buy a banana tree. I’ll be honest and state that bananas are not my favorite fruit. They taste good to me (and I love them in banana bread), but I have never been a fan of their texture. However, because I love my grump hubby, I purchased him a Truly Tiny banana plant (see photo below). I figured it would make a decent houseplant and he could enjoy the novelty of exceptionally small bananas, if we could ever make it fruit. The photo below is of the Truly Tiny banana at about one year.
Unlike many plants we attempted to grow that first year, the banana appeared invincible. It didn’t succumb to a whitefly infestation like the bell peppers. It didn’t drown like my zucchini. The banana didn’t turn yellow and wilt like my cucumbers. It didn’t turn brown and crumble like my strawberries. It loved the humidity, the sun, and the rain. My dog did sample the leaves during an accidentally unattended yard chomp. However, the banana was unfazed and continued putting out new leaves every few days. Despite these many advantages, I did not think of obtaining more banana plants until a certain conversation increased my appreciation for them.
Growing Historical Bananas
A plant friend in South Florida initially sparked my interest in banana trees. She presented me with a large bunch of homegrown bananas after showing me her Florida food forest. She explained that there were several varieties of banana, each with different flavors and uses. I also learned that cavendish bananas, the bananas we typically purchase from the supermarket, are not the bananas that our grandparents ate. Disease had nearly wiped out these bananas, and that cavendish bananas could be in trouble as well.
A quick internet search led me to learn that something called Panama Disease or fusarium wilt had wiped out most of the world’s gros michel bananas. I was fascinated (and appalled) to learn how modern farming practices led to the devastation of many previously popular plants and continue to endanger many crops today. I highly recommend the book Never out of Season by Rob Dunn if you are interested in learning more on this topic!
When I read that gros michel bananas had superior taste to cavendish bananas, the hunt started. I needed to grow them! I was pleasantly surprised to source a pair of gros michel banana pups via the internet last summer. These bananas arrived on my doorstep as tiny pups, less than 8″ tall. They have now grown to about 3′ and continue to put out new leaves regularly. Both Mr. Grump and I are excited at the prospect of having a taste test to compare the gros michel and cavendish bananas.
Fancy Pants Bananas
After reading about the banana’s fascinating history, I did more research on different varieties of bananas. I learned that, albeit rare, gorgeous varieties of variegated bananas exist. I was in awe of their beauty and searched high and low, in Facebook plant groups, at local and online nurseries, and by word of mouth, hoping to find one. When I finally found reliable sources, I began searching for one that did not cost a whole kidney.
This research led me to learn that several variegated varieties exist. The musa aeae, for example, is also known as the Royal Hawaiian banana. It is said to have been eaten only by Hawaiian royalty in the past. Internet blogs suggested that these bananas had a finicky nature and would burn to a crisp or suddenly wilt if not fed fertilizer with gold dust every other Friday on months that end with “y.” The variegated musa Florida, however, is said to be more hardy. The Florida is said to withstand short freezes and exhibit a less temperamental nature in regards to environment. Given my talent for killing plants, I decided to try a variegated Florida for my first variegated banana adventure.
I found a seller on Facebook who had one in stock. We met in the back of a gas station. She walked up to my car with a package wrapped in brown paper. I gave her a lot of twenties. This exchange felt like what I assume a drug deal would be like, from searching back channels for a product, to hiding the amount spent from Mr. Grump. However, he did tell me it was “pretty” while passing by.
Conclusion
Feel free to join me on a banana adventure. I’d love to know what grows well for you and how the many varieties of homegrown bananas taste. I’ll be posting updates on the above bananas, as well as some other varieties now growing in our yard over the next several months!
UPDATE: I have learned that bubble wrap insulates bananas well during cold night.
If you have too many ripe bananas, click here for a delicious recipe for chocolate chip banana bread muffins!
One Comment