Question
I have 2 apple banana trees with bananas.  How do I know when to cut down?  Do I leave the red seed pod on when harvested?  I livre in So.Cal so it is still fairly warm.  What do I do with stalk after cutting?  Fruit does not look filled out yet.

Answer
Hi Joanne, When you notice for 2 weeks, that the Banana fingers have not swelled anymore, then its time to cut them from the stalk; this can take upwards of 3 months from the time the pod emerged, so be patient. You don't want the bunch to ripen on the stalk, for it will taste very starchy; once you do determine that they have swelled to their maximum then cut the stalk and hang it in a dark area like your garage, or shed or even laundry room, and hang it inverted, opposite of the way it was hanging on the plant, the reason for this, is it won't peel itself as it ripens if it is hanging downward, for they will ripen fast after cut from the plant. Go ahead now and cut that pod off, but make sure all the hands are free and have shed their sheaths; the pod contains the Male flowers and is no longer of any use, it is only adding weight to the stalk and this could be difference in the main stalk breaking or not, form the weight of the bunch itself. If you think there is a danger of the trunk (pseudostem) breaking from the weight, then prop it up with anything that will prevent this; I usually use an 8 foot 2x4 and jam it right where the stem comes out of the top of the trunk, this is the only area that is hard enough to properly secure the board. If any of this is unclear then please let me know and I will help further....enjoy! they are probably the best tasting of the Banana varieties!...Nick