How to Grow Bananas by Natures Best Farm.

How to grow Banana Trees.

DID YOU KNOW?

A banana tree is actually a giant herb, as it doesn't contain any wood – its trunk is made up of thick, overlapping leaves.

Bananas, with their lovely sweet taste, are the world's most widely grown fruit. They are high in fibre and very nutritious, providing vitamins A, B6 and C, and a significant amount
of potassium. Cultivated varieties are tall, suckering, tropical perennials, their large paddle-shaped foliage adding bold silhouettes to gardens. Bananas have been grown for so long they've stopped reproducing by seed, so they actually need gardeners to survive. Out of more than a hundred varieties grown worldwide, Sri Lankan banana varieties can be divided into three main groups: the mysore, the kolikuttu, and the Cavendish. Examples of banana varieties coming within the mysore group are  ambul and seeni bananas. Kolikuttu, suwendel, puwalu, and rath kehel come within the kolikuttu group, while anamalu, embon, bin kehel, and nethrapalam come within the Cavendish group.

HOW TO PLANT

Bananas prefer a frost-free, coastal climate where daytime temperatures exceed 13ºC. They love moisture, but quickly succumb to root decaying waterlogged soil, so good drainage is essential. Choose a sheltered, north- or east-facing position in full sun. Plant in spring to early summer.

Before planting, loosen the soil and work in three bucketfuls of compost and one bucketful of organic manure per planting site – plants should be spaced 4–5m apart. Create a mound about 15cm above the surrounding soil to assist drainage. This is particularly important in clay soil. Firm the soil then mulch with compost, hay, straw or sugarcane, keeping mulch about 50cm away from the base of the plant.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Water new bananas sparingly until they start growing again, then water regularly during dry spells, as bananas reward regular watering and feeding with large, heavy bunches of succulent fruit.

Feed about four times between September and April with a bucketful of blended organic manure. Apply dolomite annually at the recommended rate – this sweetens the soil and provides additional magnesium, a mineral essential for healthy growth.

It takes about 18 months for each stem to mature, flower and fruit, after which the stem dies. Remove dead stems promptly to discourage banana weevil, which is a debilitating pest.

As the plant matures, it produces suckers. It's best to allow only one large and one small sucker to develop, as removing the rest ensures quality and continuity in fruit production. If the cut suckers resprout, recut them, create a well in the centre, and pour on a little kerosene to kill them.

Suckers can also be removed for propagation. This is best done in spring, when there are only young, narrow, sword-shaped leaves present. There's no need to use any hormone rooting preparations – just establish suckers the same way as the plants.

Bananas thrive in mulched soils, and composted lawn clippings, up to 15cm deep, are ideal. Routinely remove dead leaves and keep mulch off the bases to reduce the risk of pests and disease.

As fruit is ripening, during the warm seasons, cover the bunches with a bag to prevent damage from animals. Tie behind the bunch, leaving the bottom open. Harvest individual 'hands' of fruit when green but fully formed, and ripen indoors, to extend the harvest period.

PESTS AND DISEASES

Banana bunchy top virus, black sigatoka and Panama disease are serious diseases found in Asia. To protect existing plantations from infection, only purchase disease-free bananas from government-approved nurseries. Some states regulate the cultivars and number of plants that can be grown at home. Contact DOA to find out the regulations in your area.

For Further info contact Natures Best Farms.