tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post3439362195941049733..comments2024-03-14T20:44:09.704+05:30Comments on The Urban Gardener: Go Bananas!Sunita Mohan http://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-46301786695144528592011-02-16T23:03:04.203+05:302011-02-16T23:03:04.203+05:30Rajkumar, I hope they are at least semi-ripe? If n...Rajkumar, I hope they are at least semi-ripe? If not, they will not ripen properly. <br />Here's how you can make out if the bananas are ready for harvesting... the raw bananas have a pronounced 'rib' along the sides. As they ripen and fill out, these ribs smoothen until they are hardly visible. This is when we harvest the banana bunch even if it looks green. Once it is cut, one can either hang up the entire bunch to ripen or cut them into smaller 'hands' and put it away to ripen. The ripening process continues naturally even after the bunch has been cut so you don't need to do anything about it. All you really need to ascertain is whether the banana bunch was mature enough for harvesting.<br /><br /><br />Calcium carbide is one of the chemicals most commonly used by many commercial growers and sellers. This is very harmful to health. <br />Ethylene is naturally emitted by several ripening fruit, including apples and bananas. Placing a ripe apple or banana close to the ripening bunch is said to hasten the process without having to apply any artificial chemicals on the fruit. Covering both the ripe as well as ripening fruit loosely together with a newspaper or paper bag also helps.Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-2040433144513743332011-02-16T17:04:16.498+05:302011-02-16T17:04:16.498+05:30i got 9 kgs of green elaichi bananas from market f...i got 9 kgs of green elaichi bananas from market for me and friends .<br />can you tell me ways and methods to ripen them in house naturally without chemicals like ethylene as marketers use .!<br />i got them on 12-feb and thanks for your help<br />Rajkumar zaparde nerul/navimumbaiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11095735395629264393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-18199004245489822152009-07-13T22:38:07.516+05:302009-07-13T22:38:07.516+05:30PTM, I'm glad you enjoyed my post.
(Sorry I to...PTM, I'm glad you enjoyed my post.<br />(Sorry I took so long to respond but I'm not very comfortable working on a laptop as opposed to my trusty desktop which is not accessible now)Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-57613611215241029812009-07-10T09:19:01.410+05:302009-07-10T09:19:01.410+05:30I am learning about my banana trees. I enjoyed you...I am learning about my banana trees. I enjoyed your post.Denise Punger MD IBCLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15005314822461783855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-32438943053989960922008-11-04T10:29:00.000+05:302008-11-04T10:29:00.000+05:30Excuse me? I'm sorry but I just dont understand wh...Excuse me? I'm sorry but I just dont understand what you're saying Sannayk.Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-75354315876931585712008-11-04T09:14:00.000+05:302008-11-04T09:14:00.000+05:30gostaria de poder conseguir uma mudinha de cada ti...gostaria de poder conseguir uma mudinha de cada tipo de banana que voçe tem ,poderia assim diversificar a minha coleçaõ de bananeirasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-81448235170376624172008-10-29T23:54:00.000+05:302008-10-29T23:54:00.000+05:30Lucy,I wish I could grow conifers (seriously!) and...Lucy,I wish I could grow conifers (seriously!) and maple trees!<BR/>Thanks for the explanation. I was quite confused there for a minute :)Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-3125185344217936982008-10-29T01:40:00.000+05:302008-10-29T01:40:00.000+05:30Thanks, Raji. That's wonderful of you to say that....Thanks, Raji. That's wonderful of you to say that. <BR/>Frankly, I had no idea I would have so much to talk about the common banana and its flower : DSunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-12303147119448025822008-10-28T21:01:00.000+05:302008-10-28T21:01:00.000+05:30This is the best piece I have read about a banana ...This is the best piece I have read about a banana plant and its flower. Even if I know from experience all that you have mentioned, it was very interesting to learn it all again. Fantastic pictures too.RAJI MUTHUKRISHNANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09767924355822361427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-34390029411557357552008-10-27T12:02:00.000+05:302008-10-27T12:02:00.000+05:30I wish I could grow bananas, Sunita.By the way, I'...I wish I could grow bananas, Sunita.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I've added a note about the non-banana kind of plantain to the comments on <A HREF="http://picturesjustpictures.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">PICTURES JUST PICTURES</A> . Weird, isn't it, how such different plants can share a name?<BR/><BR/>LucyLucy Corranderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13743561298706555813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-58158079668167559192008-10-26T16:50:00.000+05:302008-10-26T16:50:00.000+05:30Thanks, Iris Hunter! That's a wonderful thing to s...Thanks, Iris Hunter! That's a wonderful thing to say. <BR/>I took a look at some of Bryan Poole's work (thanks Google)... fantastic! <BR/>I'd rather have one of his botanical prints to look at than all the bananas in my garden to eat!<BR/>Sigh! You're luckier than you think...Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-88147057866170631672008-10-26T15:08:00.000+05:302008-10-26T15:08:00.000+05:30Eric, if you've never cooked the banana flower bef...Eric, if you've never cooked the banana flower before, make it easier on yourself and go to a pic-tutorial site which shows you how it is done step-by-step. Here's one :<BR/>http://myinjimanga.blogspot.com/2007/04/vaazhakkoombu-thoran-or-banana-flower.html<BR/>BTW, the sticky sap from the flower can stain like crazy so make sure you use an apron.Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-38682068056822369132008-10-25T12:11:00.000+05:302008-10-25T12:11:00.000+05:30Truly amazing photos.I only have a botanical print...Truly amazing photos.I only have a botanical print of Banana Palm flower and fruit that was produced by Bryan Poole a New Zealander living in London<BR/>Top MarksIris Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00616914124654381895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-91726811357505620002008-10-25T01:16:00.000+05:302008-10-25T01:16:00.000+05:30Great post. Do you have a recipe or a way to prepa...Great post. Do you have a recipe or a way to prepare the flower for eating I have one almost ready now.<BR/><BR/>EricEric Bronsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06838409095199993712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-16000262907351203692008-10-23T15:48:00.000+05:302008-10-23T15:48:00.000+05:30Hi Tyra! I'm so glad you came over. I really enjoy...Hi Tyra! I'm so glad you came over. I really enjoyed taking a look at your garden because it is as different from my tropical garden as it can get, isnt it? <BR/>Did you get to taste all the different varieties of banana and other fruits when you went to Trivandrum (I read your comment in Kathryn's post)? Did you try the banana with the red peel? I want to get that next for my garden . I think its so colourful!Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-15297416429913274742008-10-23T11:05:00.000+05:302008-10-23T11:05:00.000+05:30Oh... Sunita thank you for visiting my blog and th...Oh... Sunita thank you for visiting my blog and the very nice comment. You have a really great blog yourself and the latest post about your bananas..very impressive. I just wish that I could have a taste of all the varieties you have I just love bananas. I read somewhere that we swedes eat 19 kg/person per year! Have a nice day and I hope to hear more from you Sunita/ LOL TyraTYRA Hallsénius Lindhehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04111758517855490413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-91714856526722074932008-10-22T16:57:00.000+05:302008-10-22T16:57:00.000+05:30Thanks! You are too kind. We are definitely temper...Thanks! You are too kind. We are definitely temperate here in Tennessee. My banana is the Musa bajoo, Hardy Japanese Banana and I was stunned to see it bloom. Only one bloom though so no bananas. It loves it here in my garden and is hardy. I'll be looking for the gourd post. That is funny people think you are ruining perfectly good gourds! Eccentric is okay in my book:)tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-15724705879629250112008-10-22T15:59:00.000+05:302008-10-22T15:59:00.000+05:30Just saw your p.s., Tina.Of course! In fact, I ins...Just saw your p.s., Tina.<BR/>Of course! In fact, I insist you have a glass of banana wine... followed up by a glass of pineapple wine or nutmeg wine (whichever is handy). Just to make sure you know the difference ; )Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-68482816649212742602008-10-22T15:49:00.000+05:302008-10-22T15:49:00.000+05:30Thanks Tina, its great to see you here.How on eart...Thanks Tina, its great to see you here.<BR/>How on earth did you get a banana to bloom in Tennessee? I'm a bit hazy about the kind of climate you have but if you grow blueberries, it most definitely isnt tropical, is it?<BR/>I'll post about my gourd crafts soon. Here in India we eat gourds as vegetables but I also grow the round bottlegourds (I'm sure it has some other name but here it goes by the universal name 'doodhi' or bottle gourd) only for crafting. A lot of people think I'm nuts to let perfectly good gourds dry up instead of cooking them, but this wouldn't be the first time I'm doing something they think is plain eccentric! LOL!Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-10314648846939854662008-10-22T10:12:00.000+05:302008-10-22T10:12:00.000+05:30P.S. I didn't get the guess right but can I still ...P.S. I didn't get the guess right but can I still have some banana wine:))?tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-66744275753067488582008-10-22T10:11:00.000+05:302008-10-22T10:11:00.000+05:30You have a lovely blog Sunita. That banana bloom p...You have a lovely blog Sunita. That banana bloom photo is great. I had a banana bloom in my garden this year and was thrilled. No bananas like yours though. That would be way cool to eat them straight from the garden. I was wondering about your gourds? Would love to see them. Also, Congrats on your nomination. What an honor.tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-37777263502063879542008-10-21T23:26:00.000+05:302008-10-21T23:26:00.000+05:30Thanks, Marta! The honeysuckle is something I've ...Thanks, Marta! <BR/>The honeysuckle is something I've only read about but the very name makes it sound so quaint and delicious. Could the presence of the sweetness in it be the reason behind its name?<BR/>Just let me know when you can come over and I'll make sure there's a bottle of banana wine ready for you : )Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-80501302759580285072008-10-21T17:41:00.000+05:302008-10-21T17:41:00.000+05:30Hi, Sunita,What a great post. Your story of child...Hi, Sunita,<BR/><BR/>What a great post. Your story of childhood nectaring reminded me that we used to pull a honeysuckle flower away from its calyx and drink the tiny drop of sweetness at the base of the petals. It couldn't have been as big as a the head of a pin, but it was well worth it.<BR/><BR/>I wish I could be there to sample your banana wine.<BR/><BR/>MartaMarta McDowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08548427078018827484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-5873048805259890552008-10-21T15:22:00.000+05:302008-10-21T15:22:00.000+05:30Thanks, Kim. I think you would enjoy bannana wine....Thanks, Kim. I think you would enjoy bannana wine. Its a lovely clear, golden coloured sweet wine. <BR/>To truly appreciate how versatile they can be, you would need to make a visit to India, I think. We've thought up ways to incorporate them in our morning, noon, tea-time and night-time meals. And thats not including all the snacks and other nibbles that fill up in-between meals : )Sunita Mohan https://www.blogger.com/profile/16395671437601246093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7433906806220848808.post-26165396901244736192008-10-21T15:10:00.000+05:302008-10-21T15:10:00.000+05:30I really enjoyed this post Sunita...now I'm not a ...I really enjoyed this post Sunita...now I'm not a wine drinker, but I would love to try some Banana wine! I guess I never realized how versatile bananas can be.spookydragonflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05972127156968863571noreply@blogger.com