Posted on: Friday, April 8, 2005
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HAWAI'I'S GARDENS
Bananas easy to grow but stay alert for pests
By Jari Sugano
As young sports fanatics, my brothers and I would eat hundreds of bananas for strength and endurance. My mom had one house rule when it came to bananas, "Eat as many as you want, just don't bring them to the beach. Bad luck."
Did you know the banana is the world's largest perennial herb? Bananas can be grown successfully throughout the state especially in low land areas with good wind protection. There are many types of bananas grown in Hawai'i. However, the Brazilian (commonly known as apple bananas), dwarf Brazilian, Cavendish (longer than apple bananas) and Williams are the preferred varieties among islanders.
One of the most devastating diseases of bananas in Hawai'i is the banana bunchy top virus. Backyard and new growers should avoid planting bananas until they verify their planting material is virus free. For a nominal fee, the University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center can test banana leaves for the banana bunchy top virus.
Advertiser library photo Nine to 12 months after planting, bananas will produce a flower stalk through the center of the pseudostem (trunk). Fruits take 60 to 100 days to mature after flowering depending on the season and variety. Banana bunches are harvested when the fingers become rounded and turn light green. At harvesting, the pseudostem is cut back and a vegetative offspring (keiki) becomes the primary producer. Minimizing the number of keiki per mat can increase production and fruit quality.
Black leaf streak, Panama wilt, freckle, thrips, nematodes and mealy bugs are major pests of bananas. However, the banana bunchy top virus continues to be the most important pest for growers across the state. The banana aphid is an insect that spreads the bunchy top virus. Virus symptoms include bunched and upright leaves, Morse coding in veins, deformed fruit, etc. Affected plants should be destroyed properly. Continued spread of the virus is a significant threat to Hawai'i's banana industry.
If you suspect your trees have the virus, consult your Cooperative Extension service or Hawai'i Department of Agriculture for the latest pest control techniques or visit our Web site at www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/banana. Eat more local bananas ... just stay away from the beach.
Jari Sugano is an extension agent with the University of Hawai'i-Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Reach her at suganoj@ctahr.hawaii.edu.
Bananas are typically propagated by corms. Plant corms no closer than 8 to 10 feet apart. A banana fertilizer (10-5-20) can be applied at the rate of 2 pounds per mat (growing area) every 3 to 4 months. Banana plants thrive when grown in well-drained soil (soil pH levels between 6.0 and 6.5) with ample amount of moisture.
Many varieties of bananas are grown in Hawai'i; the most popular are Brazilian (apple bananas), dwarf Brazilian, Cavendish and Williams.
