Musa 'Goldfinger' - Golden Finger Banana Flower Developing

I wish I could grow my own bananas!

Rbtkew:

You should be able to grow Musa basjoo (Japanese fiber bananas) where you live. Correct?

My Ice Cream bananas are getting ready to bloom, also. I can't wait! :>)

Musa basjoo is the banana you will find growing in sheltered gardens in the UK,but even they can suffer in a hard winter like the last one. The best ones I have seen outdoors are in coastal gardens in Cornwall.

Rbtkew:

I assume Musa basjoo would freeze back to the stalks or to the ground but come back when it warms ups. I would think no banana plants would produce bananas outdoors in the UK because the summers is too short, right?

I have seen bananas produced outdoors at the Lost Gardens of Heligan (worth a google) in Cornwall, and have heard of them in sheltered gardens in London.All this talk of Musa Bajoo has made me think I should try one in my own garden!

Rbtkew:

Do the bananas ripen? I know they can take 3 - 6 months to ripen, depending on the variety. That would seem like a long time to ripen before the cold weather comes in the UK.

I looked up The Lost Gardens of Heligan about 6 months ago...it looks like a wonderful, beautiful place! I think Meanie posted some pics of that garden in the past (that's when I heard about it).

You should definitely try Musa basjoo...it adds such a beautiful tropical touch to the garden.

I shall look forward to the flower.

It should be opening soon with all the very hot weather we've had over the last week.

I shall watch out for it Andy :o))

It'll be in the next week or so.