The banana genus was first named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Name Musa it may come from the name Antonius Musa, who was a Greek botanist and physician to the Roman emperor Augustus, or Linnaeus adopted the Arabic word for banana: mauz. Its native habitat is South and Southeast Asia, America, and Australia, and today it grows in 135 countries. It is primarily grown for food, and bananas can be used to obtain fiber, wine and beer. It is even planted as an ornamental plant. Most bananas are produced in India and China, which account for 38% of the total world production.
Banana is an oblong, edible fruit that belongs to the genus Monocotyledons, which is one of the classes of angiosperms – which means that the seeds of these plants have only one pod. Her family are banana people (Musaceae) which includes 72 species of these perennials.
It is classified as a southern or subtropical fruit, such as pineapple, avocado, pomegranate, date, guava, kiwi, coconut, mango, papaya.
This fruit is very present in human prematurity, and varies in size, color and hardness, although it is mostly oblong and slightly rounded, with a soft interior. A banana is covered with a peel that can be green, yellow, red, purple or brown when rotting. The fruits grow in bunches and hang at the top of the tree, which looks like a tree, but is actually a herbaceous and leafy plant. It is also the largest plant on earth.
What is often confused with the trunk is the banana stem, on top of which there are leaves, made up of stems and leaves. The base of the petiole forms a bark that continues onto the stem of the plant. When new leaves grow from the middle, this bark separates from the tree and the bananas thus grow 3 – 7 m high, or more. The leaves grow spirally and can be up to 2.7 m long and up to 60 cm wide. The leaves are fragile and easily torn by the wind.
When the banana plant ripens, the stem stops producing new leaves and forms a flower. One stem usually forms only one flower, which is known as “banana heart”. From this heart will grow banana fruits in large bunches. There are about 20 fruits in each cluster. One banana will grow between 3 and 20 such bunches, which can weigh between 30 and 50 kg.
One banana fruit weighs about 125 g and contains 75% water and 25% dry matter.
Types of bananas
Linnaeus originally divided bananas into two types: Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca, according to their use in food. In 1955, Norman Simmonds and Ken Shepherd proposed dividing the banana according to the genome, and then it was divided into three types, Musa acuminata and Musa balbisianaand a hybrid of those two species Musa paradisiaca.
Later, the banana was divided into several species, and as of 2013, according to the modern classification, about 70 of them are on the world list of plant families. Some are edible, some are just decorative plants.
The simplest division of bananas is into Musa and Callimus section, of which Musa classified into groups from AA to BB. (Sometimes you can see this mark on the label of purchased bananas.)
Musa
AA group to which the species belong Musa acuminata, and wild plants and cultivated varieties. This plant has two chromosomes and is edible, and today, although somewhat neglected, it is cultivated in Malaysia, Indonesia, India, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Its fruits are very sweet. This group includes Chingan, Lacatan, Lady Finger, Pisang jari buaya, Señorita and Sinwobogi.
Lady finger banana, also known as Nino, sugar banana, Finger banana, etc. grows in all the tropics of the world. Although it has an excellent taste, it is used less and less for commercial purposes because it cannot compete with other large varieties (the fruit is approx. 8 centimeters long). She is very grateful for the last one in the garden and for personal use. It grows to about 5.5 meters in height and although it likes rich soil, it will also thrive on something worse. It is yellow in color when ripe and quite resistant to diseases.
Señorita the banana originates from the Philippines. They are very small and, like the other bananas from this group, quite sweet. They are grown commercially for their exceptional disease resistance.
Lacatan it exists as a variety in Jamaica and the Philippines, and they are quite similar, except for small differences in height. They grow large bunches and are very tasty, although they take a little longer to produce fruit than other types of bananas. They are sensitive to cold and have a higher proportion of B-carotene than most bananas.
AAA group are triploids Musa acuminata and all varieties are resistant to Panama disease, but susceptible to “Sigatoka” disease. They have three sets of chromosomes, and triploidy is the last process of plant domestication. Triploid plants are generally sterile and reproduce by shoots. The AAA group is the most widespread group of edible bananas. It includes the Cavendish subgroup (dwarf Cavendish, giant Cavendish, Chiquita, Masak Hijau, Robusta), Red Dacca, dwarf red banana, Fihorban 920, Gros Michel and East African Highland.
Gros Michel differ from the Cavendish group in that they have a green, light pink or red skin, and are of a different shape. They are resistant to cold and susceptible to diseases, and it is not recommended to plant them for home use. They dominated production in the first half of the 20th century, but were later supplanted by the Cavendish group of bananas due to their adaptability.
Cavendish the banana subgroup is the most widespread, because it includes varieties that are exported all over the world. They meet the standards in taste, yield and post-harvest resistance expected from bananas for export. Given that these bananas are sterile, various hybrids have been created that can reproduce, and their exact number is unknown today. Their fruits are oblong and slightly rounded, and grow in clusters of 10 or more on one plant. They are susceptible to the disease “Sigatoka”, which attacks the leaves, as well as to some types of viruses.
Robusta, also known as Valery in some parts of Central America are edible bananas whose name comes from “robust”, which means “big” or “larger”. It is grown for food, it is of medium height and quite resistant to the wind because it has a slightly thicker and stronger stem. The fruits are light green.
For dwarf Cavendish is thought to have originated in China, and is now widespread wherever bananas are grown; mostly in the Canary Islands, East Africa and South Africa. The plant grows between 1 and 2.5 m, which is much smaller than other varieties. They have strong stems and are resistant to wind. The fruit is medium-sized, but soft-skinned and should be handled with care. This variety can adapt more easily to a cold subtropical climate, but is susceptible to “Sigatoka” disease and some viruses that attack in areas where temperatures drop below 15°C.
Giant Cavendish or Williams is of unknown origin and has completely replaced the dwarf Cavendish in the areas of Colombia, Australia, Hawaii and some parts of Ecuador. The most famous commercial banana is Taiwan. It reaches a height of 3 – 5 m, has a very attractive appearance and good resistance to wind.
Chiquita banana, very widespread in stores in our area, is also called i Gran Nain. It produces large bunches full of fruits that ripen very quickly. They are one of the most common bananas in commercial production and “Chiquita” is actually the manufacturer’s brand (a Gran Nain variety name), however, due to its popularity and spread, it took on that name.
AAAA, AAAB, AABB and ABBB groups are tetraploid plants, none of which are naturally occurring in the AAAA group, and there are very few of them in the other groups. They are usually the products of some breeding program between triploid and diploid plants. Only a few species from this group have promising results, and it is the most famous Goldfinger banana (from the AAAB group), originated in Honduras.
AAB group are triploid species Musa paradisiaca which also includes “real” bananas, i.e. descendants of the first plants grown in Central and West Africa, and in Asia, about 3000 years ago. They have two sets of chromosomes, one of Musa acuminataand the other from Musa balbisiana.
It is divided into several subgroups:
- Iholena – a subgroup of bananas from the Pacific region that are intended for cooking. It can be found in some other places in the Pacific, and in Hawaii it mostly grows in the wild. It has slightly bent leaves, and small to medium-sized bunches with fruits grow on the plant.
- Maoli-Popo’ulu – also a subgroup from the Pacific area dedicated to cooking, and are the most famous Maqueño and They are very similar Iholena bananas, and can also often be found in Hawaii. They have slightly more upright leaves and fruits that are slightly or not at all curved. They are 3-4 times longer than they are wide.
- Mysore – a subgroup of bananas for cooking and making desserts. This is the most important banana in India, as it accounts for 70% of the total production in that country. The plants are tall and immune to Panama disease, and almost immune to “Sigatoka” disease. They grow large, compact bunches of light yellow and medium-sized fruits.
- Pisang Raja – a subgroup that tolerates cold and wind well, and can grow up to 6 m. They are one of the tastiest bananas, with an orange interior.
- Plantain – the subgroup to which the species belong French Plantain, Green French, Horn Plantain, Rhino Horn, Nendran, Pink French i This subgroup accounts for a total of 21% of the world’s annual production of bananas, with the greatest distribution in West Africa and Latin America, where they are also the main source of carbohydrates. They like a warm and humid climate, without large fluctuations in temperature, and they do not survive long dry periods, as well as temperatures below 10 degrees.
- Pome – subgroup to which varieties belong Pome and Prata-anã (the so-called Brazilian dwarf banana). These bananas grow in Brazil, India, Hawaii, and in Cameroon and Australia.
- Silk – to which it belongs Latundan These plants grow sweet fruit that tastes like apples, so they are often called “Apple banana”. Most commonly grown in the Caribbean, they are medium in size and too susceptible to disease to be used in commercial production, so they are recommended only for home use, under controlled conditions.
- Other subgroups
AB group are diploid species Musa paradisiaca, which have two pairs of chromosomes. Varieties from this group are very unusual, unknown and not widespread.
One of them is Ney Poovan, the most widespread among the varieties of the AB group, sweet fruit, with a white interior. It grows well in sheltered places, at a height of 3.5 – 5 m, and produces small and very tasty fruits.
The ABB group consists of triploid cultivars Musa paradisiaca. They consist of three sets of chromosomes and produce fruits mostly intended for cooking or further processing. Plants are resistant to drought and “Sigatoka” leaf disease.
There are several varieties:
- Blue Java got its name from its taste and texture – it is sweet and light, with a smooth interior that can be eaten with a spoon when the fruit is fully ripe. Its bark is silvery green and covered with a layer of wax. The plant will grow from 5 to 6 meters in height and is resistant to cold and wind (they have extremely strong pseudo stems and roots). It will grow 7 to 9 bunches of bananas, which can be eaten fresh or cooked.
- Bluggoe subgroup they belong to Bluggoe and Silver Bluggoe, and produce strong fruits, which are quite wide and thick, without curvature. They grow in only 4 – 7 bunches per plant and have a very unusual appearance (except for the shape), because their skin color can be yellow, green or silver, and that in one bunch. They are very resistant to Panama disease and “Sigatoku”.
- Pelipita is one of the few varieties that is completely resistant to “Sigatoka” disease and Panama disease. It is predicted that because of these features Pelipita to replace Bluggoe varieties in Central America, Colombia and the Canary Islands (where these diseases are most prevalent).
- The Saba subgroup they belong to Saba, Cardaba and Benedetta, and originates from the Philippines. These bananas are definitely among the most unusual in their appearance, which is why they are also called “begging hands”, because the bunch grows in two rows of fruits that are “folded” together. They are very tasty and resemble vanilla, but they must be carefully separated from each other when fully ripe. They are resistant to wind, can be eaten raw or cooked, grow from 6 to 9 m tall and ripen much later than most varieties. Usually 16 bunches grow on one plant. They can tolerate and survive dry periods quite well, but there is a possibility that they will not ripen in such conditions.
BB group are diploids Musa Balbisana it also includes wild bananas, and there are no edible varieties in this group. They are grown for their leaves (as decoration) or as food for animals.
Callimus
These species originated from Australimus and Ingentimus banana, that is, they were combined into one name in 2013 when the species of this plant were classified. They have a higher number of chromosomes than those of the class Musaaccording to some sources in the 20th
There are 37 different varieties, and plants from families Australimus and Callimus are described as tall, with horizontal or vertical leaves, and with visible seeds (which is one of the main differences from “regular” bananas). These species ranged from Thailand and Indochina, through Indonesia, to the Philippines and the Solomon Islands. The number of extinct varieties during their long history is not known.
Planting bananas
Bananas can be grown (most often in their natural habitats and in warmer areas) outdoors, in greenhouses (in colder climates) or in containers. If you grow them in pots, you need to take them outdoors in the summer months. The temperature that this plant can withstand is approximately 19 to 30°C.
Planting time
Bananas are planted in spring or summer. They need a lot of space, so leave about 3 meters of space around each seedling.
Planting from seeds
Bananas grown from seed are not edible, nor do edible bananas have developed seeds (you can sometimes only notice small black dots). It can be grown as an ornamental plant, but certainly this method of planting is not common, bananas are grown from seedlings.
Planting from a seedling
Banana seedlings can be bought in our area at any slightly better equipped garden center. The most common variety you will find there is Dwarf Cavendish due to its height and practicality for home cultivation. Such seedlings will be with an already developed aerial part, up to 60 cm high.
Before planting, wash the purchased seedling with lukewarm water to remove any fungi or impurities from it. The leaves should be facing upwards, and the root should be completely covered with soil, and between 1 and 3 cm of the stem. You can water the plant, although you should be very careful that it is not in wet soil.
When growing outdoors, it is recommended to dig a hole between 15 and 30 cm, but of course this will depend on the size of your seedling. For growing in a container, a medium-sized container is sufficient to begin with, as the banana needs to be transplanted regularly.
Cultivation outdoors
Growing bananas outdoors in our area is not impossible, although it requires a lot of effort. In winter, it is necessary to completely prune and shorten the plant, and protect it from freezing by wrapping it with straw and nylon. Even then, the chances of its survival are incomplete, so it is best to dig it up and bring it indoors.
Cultivation in containers
For a newly purchased seedling, a medium-sized standard pot will be sufficient (and it is recommended to transplant it every spring anyway). Be sure to pierce the bottom for drainage, the banana does not like standing in water. Plant it so that the top remains uncovered and exposed to sunlight. The root should be in the ground, and between 1 and 3 cm of the stem as well.
Cultivation in a greenhouse
By growing it in a greenhouse, you can have a great influence on the climatic conditions and provide the banana with temperatures that suit it. However, one plant takes up a lot of space, so it is not recommended to grow them for commercial purposes.
Ground
They need rich, humus and loose soil, with a high percentage of moisture. A pH of 5.5 to 7 suits them best.
Temperature
Bananas mostly grow in tropical areas, and they need a lot of sun and warmth. They do not tolerate temperatures below 15°C. They also do not like too high temperatures (above 30°C), as well as direct sun.
Cultivation of bananas
Many people still do not know that it is possible to grow bananas in our areas, and that it is actually relatively easy. Although until a few years ago it was claimed that it could not produce edible fruits, this is refuted by the increasingly frequent testimonies of gardeners who have succeeded in this through effort, persistence and proper care of this fantastic plant.
Matching cultures
The banana tree is a tropical perennial that thrives in rich, fertile and well-draining soil. Crops that you can plant next to bananas are beans, peas and soybeans, which do not interfere with the growth of the fruit. During the period of active growth, bananas draw a large amount of nutrients from the soil, making the need for rich, fertile soil crucial to banana health, which makes beans and legumes useful crops because they create additional nitrogen in the soil. Legumes provide a supply of nitrogen within their root system, which is released into the soil after harvest.
You can also plant other root crops around the banana, such as sweet potato – sweet potato or lemon grass, to increase the amount of food obtained from the planting space. The plant that helps the banana grow is also castor, which you have to be careful with because it can cause leaf disease.
Good neighbors are also figs, peaches, plums, sugarcane, grapefruit, pecans, limes and passive fruits such as blueberries.
Watering
Banana has large leaves through which water evaporates, especially at high temperatures, so it needs a lot of watering and leaf spraying. In winter (in the dormant phase) it can be watered a little less often.
It is watered only when the soil is dry because it does not like standing in water. Pay special attention to this when planting in containers.
Fertilization
Banana is fed during the growth phase (in summer), by adding liquid fertilizer to the watering water. It is recommended that the so-called NPK fertilizer (nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium), according to some sources in the ratio 7-20-30, and according to others 6-2-12.
Propagation
Banana is a sterile plant and reproduces by shoots. The sapling is usually separated from the large plant when it starts to put out the fifth or sixth leaf. You should carefully spread the soil and first of all check if the small plant has its own root. Then, with a very sharp knife, remove the rhizome as close as possible to the adult plant. Wounds on both plants need to be treated afterwards (eg with wood ash).
Place the seedling in the smallest possible container, in ordinary soil, without feeding. Find her an ideal sunny spot and let her adapt, i.e. until she develops roots and starts to grow.
Maintenance and care
In our areas, banana plants need to be prepared for wintering if they are planted outdoors or brought in if they are in pots.
With bananas planted outdoors, you can cut off the leaves and shorten the stem to 1 to 1.5 meters in height. Mulch the ground around it well (with dry leaves and straw). Cover the stem with the same materials and wrap it with nylon. Pay special attention to the top, which must not get wet. Therefore, it is best to “pull” a plastic bag or something similar over it.
Regardless of good protection, there is always a possibility that the banana will freeze outside, so the best option is to dig it up before winter and bring it indoors in a container.
At the beginning of spring (in April or May) bring it out again.
Plantation maintenance
The plant should be transplanted into a larger pot every spring, adding peat with a small amount of sand.
Devote time to wetting (sprinkling) banana leaves daily.
Pruning
On the banana, it is good to regularly remove all dry and damaged leaves, as this encourages the growth of the plant.
If you leave it to winter outside, before protection it is necessary to cut off all the leaves and shorten the plant as much as possible.
Harvest
In our areas and in similar climatic conditions, bananas will bear fruit for the first time after a year, and the harvest is done in autumn when the fruits ripen. They are harvested in bunches while they are still green, and they need to be left in a warm place to ripen.
Storage
Bananas are eaten fresh if we buy them, and after ripening if we just grow them – which means when they are no longer green. Although they have a thick skin, they are not known for longevity and can only stand for a few days at room temperature. Although putting it in the refrigerator is not the best option, it can prolong its freshness, but we can only store bananas that have already ripened, that is, on which black dots have started to appear.
Diseases
Although bananas grown in our area are quite resistant to all kinds of diseases and pests, they are even used to help other plants, in their natural habitat this is not always the case.
Panama disease
One of the most famous and widespread banana diseases is the Panama disease. Fungi from the soil enter the plant through the roots and spread throughout it, and can be recognized by the yellowing of the leaves. Leaves affected in this way will eventually droop and wither. Panama disease is more present in poor soil, poor drainage, high soil moisture, or similar conditions that do not suit the roots. Affected plants must be removed and burned. It is not recommended to plant new bananas in the same place for the next three to four years.
Sigatoka disease
Yellow Sigatoka disease, which manifests itself as spotting of the leaves, is one of the more serious banana diseases. In the beginning, small yellow dots appear, which later increase in size and turn brown, until the plant dies.
Anthracnose
Anthracnose attacks plants of all ages, in all stages and all parts of the plant. It manifests itself as a brown mass of fungi. It can be controlled with certain preparations and frequent application, however, the treatment is more effective if the plant can be placed in a cool place.
Rot
Plant rot can also occur anywhere: the root, stem or banana flower. The affected part takes on a dark color, usually black and spreads quickly, and the tissue becomes soft and watery.
Moko disease
Young plants are most often affected by Moko disease and the inner part of the leaves, near the stem, will turn yellow. (Unlike Sigatoka, where the ends of the leaves turn yellow.) It most often appears on young plants that have been pruned once and have started their growth again. Disinfect pruning tools to prevent occurrence, and with early detection, the plant can be successfully cured.
Pests
Weevil
The banana weevil can attack the stem or rhizome. The species that attacks the stem is reddish or black in color and appears in summer. They crawl into the stem and feed on it until the plant dies. Infested plants must be removed and burned. Another type digs tunnels in the plant, below and above the ground, thus preventing the plant from feeding and it will eventually die.
Ears
Like almost any plant, bananas can be attacked by lice. They are black in color and easy to spot on the plant, since they live in colonies, on the lower part of the leaf (closer to the stem).
The use of bananas
The use of bananas has been known since the distant past, approximately 8000 BC. BC, but its more aggressive expansion took place at the beginning of the 9th century. The average banana weighs approximately 125 grams, and is rich in vitamins and minerals, the most important of which is attributed to potassium and vitamin B.
Preparations
Medicine
Bananas are full of alkaloids, which have antioxidant properties. Dopamine and catechins help with heart disease. In addition, bananas are known to help with digestive problems, kidney disease (high potassium), depression and anxiety (dopamine production), anemia (iron) and boost memory and concentration (vitamin B).
It can also have a negative effect on human health, so people who take blood pressure medication should not consume bananas, nor should they consume foods rich in potassium in general. They can also make heartburn worse.
Banana peel is used as a remedy for warts by placing the inner side on it and leaving it overnight. It is also mentioned as a means to whiten teeth, relieve dark circles and relieve itching after insect bites. If you have acne or very dry facial skin, you can rub your face with a banana peel.
Banana frappe is an excellent cure for a hangover because it replaces lost substances in the body. (Milk and honey are added to the banana, and everything is mixed.)
Cookery
It is a widespread fruit in the diet and its popularity never declines. Bananas are a good source of energy and do not make you fat if consumed in normal quantities, and they are a good source of fiber that promotes the proper functioning of the intestines and metabolism in general.
Although they are most often eaten raw, and as such are almost harmless due to their thick skin that protects pesticides from reaching the edible part of the fruit, they can be used in cooking, most often for the preparation of desserts. It is a common ingredient in healthy shakes and juices, and banana wine is also produced.
History
Bananas originally come from Southeast Asia, mostly from India. Arab invaders spread them to the west in 327 BC. Kr. first to Africa, and then to the New World. However, mass production and spread did not occur until the 19th century. Before that, they were mostly used for sugar production.
The banana genus was first named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Interesting things
The most flowers (banana hearts) that one plant ever had was 5, in the Philippines. They usually have only one flower.
Bananas are naturally radioactive, but this amount is so small that it has no impact on human health.
They don’t actually ripen on the tree, but are cut green and placed in the shade to ripen.
Unripe bananas contain indigestible starch and if you eat them that way, they will ferment in your colon and cause wind.
Banana peel is used to feed plants and repel aphids. It is cut into pieces and buried around the plant.
Photo: Peggy_Marco / Pixabay