It seems to like the location, planted next to a south-facing wall, actually crowded, but has room to spread east-westerly - a bit hard to do much manipulating tho.

How long before it will - hopefully - show signs of fruit production. Do I need to spray or thin? or ?

I've read that some folks recommend digging up the "pups" but is that necessary?

Any help greatly appreciated. It weathered last winter nicely in its location.

Bejay

We have a giant bird of paradise that has similar leaf structure, and it grows very well here. But I suspect banana might like a bit more heat than our ocean climate can give.

Thanks again.

Bejay

The pups should be removed to force the growth into the main trunk. Loosen the soil outside the pup, slice it away from the main bulb, and you have a new plant. Leave 1 to replace the old stalk when it dies back after fruiting.

Fruiting does take 18 to 24 months, and when the stalk sets out the fruit is critical. Sending out the flower after the middle of summer means the fruit may not ripen properly before the cold weather sets in. Blue plastic clothes or trash bags are used to cover the fruit stalk to increase temperatures to help ripen the fruit stalk.

The best results I have had are with dwarf varieties as these seem to grow and produce quicker than larger types. I have had good luck with 'Enano gigante' (Mexican Dwarf), 'Goldfinger', 'Valery', Dwarf Cavendish. 'Nam Wah' and 'Glui Nam Wah' produced fruit, but where cut down by gophers when they were fruiting.