banana tree

[nancyL]

Hello all!
My kids want a banana tree- I live in northern NJ so I know its not the ideal climate- what about an indoor one? I love gardening and plants but do have a black thumb. Are they hardy? How does one go about obtaining a banana tree and does anyone know how many bananas they produce and is there a season for them? I heard somewhere that each bunch of bananas has to be from a new tree- but that dosnt make much sense.
Thanks for any info!
NancyL

 

[amid chaos]

I once had a book that included growing banana trees...i have searched high and low for that book since you posted your question and it is gone. dont know if it ended up with cookbooks or gardening books, but right now, it is with neither..sorry.

 

[Snowwark]

Welcome , Nancy!

I have a terrible time with houseplants, even my silk ones look unhappy , so it's hard for me to imagine growing an indoor banana tree!

It's great that your kids are into plants (and fruit), so I'm hoping that they plan to help you out with this project?

Here are a few links with info on growing bananas. You can move the plants outside in the spring, and bring them back indoors in the fall. There's quite a range in mature heights for the different varieties, and although I've linked you to mostly dwarf varieties, I'm sure that will be an important factor for you.

~Culture of Bananas Indoors and Outdoors~

~Growing Tropical - Bananas - check under 'Edible'

~Musa - 'Dwarf Cavendish'~

~How to grow Bananas~

I hope these sites are of some help to you, Nancy. Please let us know if you decide to go ahead with this project, and how it works for you.

Any other banana growers out there, with info for Nancy?

Kim

 

[Snowwark]

LOL Vanessa!! Exactly the same time...lol.

 

[mommytotwo]

We have banana trees in our farm. You don't want to get the regular variety, stick with the dwarf ones cause they will grow tall. Other then knowing how to cut them down, eatting them, and making banana dishes, I don't know much about the trees, so will ask my dad and will get back to you.

 

[nancyL]

Thanks guys, Im on this! Im a bit disappointed that I wont be seeing bananas for 2 years and then ONLY if Im extremely dedicated, skilled (grin) and lucky....
Any more advice? I agree the dwarf variety is the best choice....now which one........

 

[Snowwark]

Nancy, hopefully Patsy will have some advice on which variety to try, after she talks with her Dad. The Dwarf Cavendish (in the link above), grows to 8' indoors. Do you have high ceilings?

BTW Patty, that's very cool, I had no idea you (or your Dad), had a farm!!

 

[mommytotwo]

Sorry it took me a while to get back to your question nancy, but I finally got around to asking my dad about the banana plant and had gotten educated myself.
For the banana tree, there will be one bunch of banana per tree. Once there is a bunch of bananas, that tree will no longer bare any fruits, but if you keep the tree standing , there will be another shoot that will come out from the side of it.
As for us having a farm-my dad but we will here with them, we have a coffee and macadamia nut farm, so we have alot of land to plant different trees and plants. We have many banana trees, avocado trees, other fruit trees,.....