Question
Hi -- My Ice Cream Banana tree has produced a bloom pod/fruit pod. It just popped out yesterday. This is our third tree (including the original "mama") that hasproduced a bloom pod.  I need to know how to get the blooms/fruit to maturity. We did get about 5 mature bananas from one of the last bloom pods, but after the first layer of blooms produced fruit, the next layers just fell off before the fruit could even start growing/maturing. I fertilized it with Super Phosphate about 6 months ago, and then put epsom salt water around it about 4 months ago. I haven't done anything else to it. Please tell me if there is anything I can do now to help the fruit mature. (I live in Tampa, Florida). Thanks!

Answer
Hi Marilyn, you need to come to my seminar on "growing Bananas in Charlotte County" on Oct 19th...lol....it just happens to be my forte; It takes 3 months from the time the "infloresence" emerges, for the bunch to  plump out and be ready for cutting from the plant, (while still green, incidently.) The first 4 months of growth in a Banana plant are the most important, and it needs to have a constant supply of nutrients available to it for uptake; I lay down the equivilant of about a cup per week of a 13-3-13 granular (lesco) and then when fruit forms, a granular that is only potassium. The key to optimum fruit development, is keeping it propery watered, fertilized and protected from cold stress. Tampa is marginal for growing a large bunch, but it can be done if you push the envelope, and take whatever measures possible to keep that pseudostem (trunk) from freezing. I have produced 38 pound bunches down here in Port Charlotte, taking these measures. When the bunch has plumped out to its fullest and you notice no new development over a week or so, then you cut it off the plant it hang it in a cooler area, like your garage or shed, it will then ripen up quickly. Allowing it to ripen on the plant makes for a "starchy" fruit,,,,the inside ripening is much sweeter. Get a "chelated Palm nutritional spray" (Home Depot), and spray in the morning when the dew is on the plant (once every week) this will help get nutrients into the system also (beside the regular fertilizing). Lots of compost put on the mat along with grass clippings and banana peels will help the Corm (underground root system) absorb nutrients to distribute to the above ground plants, also. Well, thats a brief synopsis of how to take care of your "Nanas"..good luck!.....P.S.  ..the small bananas that didn't develop are the male flowers,,they are at the terminal end of the pod and aren't supposed to, its just the female flowers that develop into the fruit that you eat,,and again, how many hands that develop is directly correlated to the care and nutrition the plant receives during its formative years. Nick