banana harvest

• github

• banana cultivation: practical care checklist

  • distilled from a banana-cultivation video transcript (shared by user)

• site, light, and climate

  • provide ≥ 12 hours of light per day; use windbreaks to reduce damage
  • keep temperatures ideally between 20–30 °c; growth slows < 10 °c; heat stress > 35 °c

• soil, ph, and nutrition

  • grow in soil rich in organic matter (compost, green manure, leaf mold)
  • maintain soil ph 6.5–7.0; avoid < 5.0 or > 7.5 to prevent micronutrient lockout
  • prioritize n–p–k with emphasis on potassium (k)
  • keep a mulch layer (straw/shredded banana residues) to feed shallow roots and retain moisture

• planting material and depth

  • choose larger suckers/plants for faster harvest (~1–1.5 years); small plants may take > 2 years
  • plant deep (hole ~60–70 cm) to reduce toppling (“high mat” risk)

• roots and leaves

  • protect shallow roots: avoid deep tillage; maintain mulch cover
  • do not cut green leaves unless necessary; before severe storms, trim at most ~⅓
  • remove yellowing/dying leaves to reduce banana weevil pressure

• mat management (suckers)

  • maintain 3 plants per mat: mother + follower + next generation sucker; remove extras
  • when dividing/transplanting suckers, dig carefully and sever with corm intact; clean soil from roots
  • sanitary dip: soak suckers at ~43 °c (~109 °f) for ~3 hours to kill weevil eggs/larvae
  • after planting, water thoroughly; if leaves wilt, shorten temporarily to reduce transpiration

• growth stages and flowering

  • expect transition to flowering after ~40–50 leaves
  • watch for flag/terminal leaf and emerging inflorescence

• flower and fruit management

  • rule of thumb: keep ~1 fruit tier (“hand”) per healthy leaf
  • 1–2 weeks after the final fruit tier appears, remove male flowers
  • thin small/undeveloped hands to size up the bunch

• bunch bagging

  • bag after the final tier appears; use breathable, vented plastic or nonwoven fabric
  • leave a small bottom opening for drainage; avoid bruising
  • purpose: protect from pests/birds/uv/wind/rain and stabilize the microclimate (especially in cool periods)

• spacing, airflow, and health

  • avoid overcrowding; maintain airflow to reduce disease and pest pressure
  • monitor for black sigatoka and banana bunchy top virus; remove affected leaves promptly

• harvest and ripening

  • harvest when fruits are plump and angular ridges have smoothed; for home use, slight on-plant yellowing is fine
  • typical interval from flowering to harvest: ~90–120 days (depends on conditions)
  • bananas are climacteric; ripen at room temperature, not in the refrigerator

• post-harvest hygiene

  • do not leave the harvested pseudostem standing; fell, chop, and return to soil as mulch to avoid weevil buildup

• handy tools & supplies

  • spade/sharp knife or machete; pruners
  • perforated bunch bags or nonwoven fabric
  • mulch materials (straw/shredded banana residues)
  • compost/vermicompost + potassium-forward fertilizer
  • soil ph tester; thermometer for the 43 °c soak