Each plant grows one bunch per year. A bunch can be made of up to 200 bananas. It is grouped in double row clusters. Each cluster is known as a hand and consists of 10 to 20 bananas. When harvested, the hands are usually cut into smaller hands of 4 to 6 for easier packing. An individual banana is known as a finger.
A banana plant only produces one bunch of bananas. When it’s time to harvest, the plants stem (or technically called it’s stool) is cut down. An off shoot emerges from the bottom and this is called a sucker. A new plant emerges from this sucker and it will produce a new bunch of bananas usually within 12 to 18 months depending on the climate. In Coffs Harbour, it is 18 months. The stool is cut into small pieces and usually left on the ground to act as a mulch.
Bananas are considered mature 3 to 6 months after the bell has flowered. They are harvested whilst the bananas are still green with just a hint of barely noticeable yellow. At this stage they are still hard and do not have any noticeable angular ribs. They are then taken to a packing room where they are cut into smaller hands, then washed before being stored in a packing room or being sent to the supermarkets where they will ripen naturally.
Credit : The Root Cause
Picture Credit : Google
