To know some important facts about bananas, we must first know the origin of this fantastic fruit.
o Bananas come from the Indo-Malaysia region; it slowly made its way to northern Australia.
o Common names that people have used to refer to bananas are ‘Banana’, ‘Plantain’, ‘Curro’, ‘Bananier Nain’ and ‘Canbur’.
o The most important banana facts that will always be true is that it contains high vitamin content and caloric enrichment.
o Banana plants are the fourth largest crop in the world. It is usually grown in a warm, humid area. Ten months of warm temperature are needed to produce the fruit blossoms. Banana plants require protection from wind, sunlight and extreme temperatures.
o Other important banana facts: Banana plants grow from rhizomes in the ground. They grow from the middle of the stem after 10 to 15 months.
o Banana plants can grow up to nine feet long and two feet wide. The leaves of banana plants come out from the center of the stem and spread out. The banana inflorescence that comes out of the center of the plant first looks like a long, oval-shaped, purple bud. From there, the flowers appear little by little.
o The first five to fifteen rows of bananas are female. These first females contain ovaries and rapidly grow into clusters of fruits, also called ‘hands’. The number of hands it will grow will depend on the types and species of bananas.
o Bananas usually turn from dark green to red or yellow. The flavor of the fruit can be sweet or mild. Some bananas may have seeds and others may not.
o Bananas require ample heat and would be best grown next to an asphalt or concrete construction such as a building or walkway.
o Banana plants require protection from strong winds and high temperatures. Support for the banana plant is required when the fruits are just beginning to appear.
o Banana plants grow in almost all types of soil, but rich, well-drained soil is good. An acidic soil with a pH between 6.5 and 5.5 is preferred.
