We are going Bananas at Trevallan
We have some beautiful looking bananas at Trevallan. This range of banana have been selected for not only being able to grow and fruit well in the home garden but also for their ability to produce fruit under cooler conditions.... we all know sometimes we can get cold here in the Ipswich Region.
Varieties of Bananas Trevallan Stocks
Dwarf Red Dacca produces small, very sweet bananas with a creamy texture. The skin changes from burgundy to orange as they ripen and the flesh is pale orange-pink.
Dwarf Cavendish produces heavy crops of full sized, sweet bananas with a creamy texture. The tree is super dwarf reaching a maximum height of only 2m so it is perfect for pots, so it can be grown on balconies and yards.
Lady Finger produces small bananas with a rich, sweet flavour and creamy texture and which keep well. Great for fruit salads since the flesh does not brown when cut
Blue Java fast growing, cold tolerant. Fruit has the flavour and consistency of creamy vanilla ice cream or custard.
PLANTING INFORMATION
Bananas require deep, rich soil which is well drained, in a position which is in full sun for most of the day.
Let’s be honest most soil in Ipswich isn’t that good unless you’ve been really working it for the last few years. So you will really need to work your soil well before you plant. A couple of bags of Searle’s Compost, some granulated Soil Soaker and a couple of handfuls of Organic Link will really enliven the soil before you plant.
The Dwarf varieties can be planted in very large pots. For this I would use Searles’ Platinum Potting Mix
They suggest a north facing position is best for your banana and make sure if you get frost you can either protect it by throwing a cover over it or it’s in a protected position.
After planting, water thoroughly and apply a thick layer of organic mulch to the worked area, keeping it away from the stem of the plant. I find sugar cane is best.
Bananas are heavy feeders and as the plant grows it will need a good feed about every two to three months. I would be using Organic Link.
Remove dead leaves regularly and keep the tree clean.
WHEN TO HARVEST
You will know the bananas are ready to be harvested when the bananas lose their ridges. They will become more rounded, softer looking.
The flowers at the end of the bunch will go dry and crumbly is an indication as well.
MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO KNOW ABOUT BANANAS
It may take 2-3 years for the first fruit to be produced.
Suckers will appear from near the base of the main stem.
You will need to select one to be the next main stem and remove the others.
After the fruit has been harvested the stem that had the fruit on it should be cut down.
The retained sucker will replace it as the main stem.
This process is continued indefinitely
Bananas don’t need another tree to help pollinate the flower so one Banana tree is enough but since variety is the spice of life why not grow all three if you have the space.