Banana Surprise
My bananas (Musa basjoo) did pretty well this year, even though they got little water. We had a mostly rain-free summer, and I don't remember watering these more than one time... if I did at all.
They're not quite as big as last year, but still manage to surprise me.
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I was showing a visitor around recently and when he admired the bananas I walked him over.
Sure, they're looking a bit ratty especially down low, as the oldest leaves have been lost to the heat and dryness...
...but as I stepped up close to show him that the pseudostems are now forming a ring with the center open almost like a cage, I saw something very surprising.
A flower!
I did not expect to ever see this!
This must have been one of the pseudostems that survived the winter. (I never posted photos of that this year...didn't even take any.)
Little bananas!
I really did not expect this -- just another surprise from the garden!
(Of course I'll be chopping these down long before the fruits develop -- at least I think. How long do bananas take to form? I doubt they are good tasting though...)
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Bananas! How cool! Are you sure you have to cut them down? They might not be tasty, but how awesome would it be to grow bananas in your garden?
It's a sweet surprise when they do this! Hasn't happened in my garden for several years now. I understand that the bananas are not very good & full of seeds but I've never had them get much further along than what you've shown. Happy baby bananas to you!
So when the time comes to cut them back you HAVE TO take this one indoors and put it in (big) vase for an In A Vase On Monday post. Please?!?!
So exciting! Even better because you didn't expect it.
Cool! If only your summer was a little longer...