More bananas

Last year, we were excited to find out we have a banana tree in our backyard.  It started to grow bananas in September, but it was January before they were ready to eat.  We had the banana tree cut down after it was done bearing fruit.  After researching online, we learned they only bear fruit once and then a new tree will grow in its place.  We were excited to have 3 new trees growing.  In June, one of the trees began growing fruit.  Last month another tree started growing bananas.  We are hoping the bananas on the first tree get ripe soon.

The first tree.  Just waiting for them to turn yellow.

 It has been interesting to learn how bananas grow.  First, a red seed pod develops.  Then, the outer layers of the pod slowly peel off and under each one is a row of bananas.  They have flowers on the end that can also be eaten.  Bananas curve up toward the sky instead of down like you might expect.  With our tree last year and earlier this summer, we had issues with insects eating the flowers before the bananas could develop.  Luckily, the insects haven't bothered this tree too much and it looks like we will have a pretty big crop.  It is a good thing we all like bananas.  Time to start researching recipes.

Second tree.  The red pod is at the bottom.  You can see the yellow flowers on the bottom row of bananas.