Question
Hello Kathy,
I need to know about the different variations of banana plants. We have quite alot of these plants in our backyard but, have been told not to eat ours? Why? And we also have a rather large grapefruit tree, I just cut the fruit off because of hurricane Ike coming in and I hope that my plants aren't damaged. How to I help the grapefruit to ripen. Are there any dangers to eating the fruits?
Help, Heather

Answer
Hi Heather, If you know what a banana looks like and it is a banana eat it.  Can not imagine one that you couldn't eat???  Someone is confused. Some may be plantains that you would cook by frying in butter and adding powdered sugar.  Some of these you can eat if it is very ripe.    If your grapefruit  it is full size it may be ready to eat.  You do not have to wait for it to turn yellow as that maybe too ripe and old some yellow starting maybe all you need.  Try it and see if it is not ready.  Some citrus gets sweeter after a freeze and some it does not matter.  So eat away and throw away if it tastes awful because it is not ripe.