Banana Plat

[Hermitian]

Many of us are accustom to the term "garden bed". For some of you, here's a new term: Banana Plat. Historically worldwide, that is the name given to a planting bed for fruiting banana plants. Typically it is a partially-raised bed; meaning half of it is above ground and the other half is below. The top 1/4 of it (about 4 inches) is mulch.

Fruiting bananas are tropical annuals that grow from modified bulbs called corms. The corms are relatively shallow rooted -- 18 inches is sufficient. They are also rhizomatous, so as the life cycle of one bulb has reached the end by fruiting there are more sprouting to take its place. In fact -- too many. The sucker sprouts -- called "pups" need to be thinned so that resources will be directed to the "mother" corm producing fruit. For more information, there is an article here: Guide To Growing Fruiting Bananas In Temperate Climates.

Anyway, I'm getting ready to build two plats at my new home. I'll put 2 bananas in each. Here's the plants sitting in 25 gallon pots in pretty much their permanent location. In the next few weeks I hope to get the plats built and the bananas in the ground. The bananas I'm planting are: Namwa, Temple, Pisang Ceylon, and Brazilian.

[Sun City Linda]

I find banana plants nice to look at but I hate the fruit. I cant even use them in smoothies! Looks like you are having a good time getting the garden all set up!

[Hermitian]

Originally Posted by Sun City Linda

I find banana plants nice to look at but I hate the fruit. I cant even use them in smoothies! Looks like you are having a good time getting the garden all set up!

That's either a poor choice of variety or a problem with harvesting & curing. In temperate climates like ours, home grown bananas are waaaaaaaaaaaay better than store-bought gas-ripened fruits from foreign countries.

[Sun City Linda]

Originally Posted by Hermitian

That's either a poor choice of variety or a problem with harvesting & curing. In temperate climates like ours, home grown bananas are waaaaaaaaaaaay better than store-bought gas-ripened fruits from foreign countries.

I think I'm a super taster for bananas! Even if they ARE waaaaaaay better, they would have to not taste anything like a banana!

[Hermitian]

Originally Posted by Sun City Linda

I think I'm a super taster for bananas! Even if they ARE waaaaaaay better, they would have to not taste anything like a banana!

We're in loud agreement that you had a lousy tasting banana. But perhaps you're interested in finding out why?

[Sun City Linda]

Originally Posted by Hermitian

We're in loud agreement that you had a lousy tasting banana. But perhaps you're interested in finding out why?

LOL I have eaten bananas over the years. Probably liked them as a kid, cant remember. But the last few years I realized I REALLY have come to dislike the flavor, almost makes me gag. Now chocolate........no problem!

[salix]

Richard, really enjoying your "fruit" posts. Am learning quite a lot, none of which will ever be of any practical use to me, lol!