The banana plant is technically a giant herbaceous perennial, not a tree. Its fruit develops in a single large cluster known as a bunch, which emerges from the top of the trunk-like structure called a pseudostem. Because bananas are climacteric fruits, they continue to ripen after being picked. Therefore, they must be harvested while still firm and green for quality and controlled distribution. Harvesting at the correct stage prevents the fruit from splitting or developing a mealy texture if left to ripen fully on the plant.
Identifying the Right Time to Harvest
Determining the precise moment to harvest the bunch is based on visual cues related to the fruit’s maturity, not its color. The bananas should be “three-quarters full,” meaning the individual fruits have plumped up considerably. A key indicator is the change in shape, as the distinct angular ridges on the sides of the “fingers” begin to soften and round out. The fruit will transition from a dark green to a lighter, paler green color, but must still be entirely green. Harvesting too early results in starchy fruit that will never develop proper sweetness.
Tools, Safety, and Techniques for Cutting the Bunch
The banana bunch can weigh between 40 and 100 pounds, making its removal a significant physical and safety challenge. Essential equipment includes a long-handled tool, such as a sharp machete or pole saw, and either a helper or a strong rope to manage the descent. The safest method involves a controlled drop, rather than attempting to catch the full weight. To achieve this, an incision is made into the pseudostem about two-thirds of the way up, on the side opposite the hanging fruit. This cut should go approximately three-quarters of the way through the stem, causing the entire plant to hinge over slowly.
As the pseudostem begins to bend, the weight of the bunch brings it down toward the ground in a gradual arc. A helper or a rope secured high up on the bunch can be used to control the rate of descent and prevent bruising. Once the bunch is within easy reach, the stalk supporting the bananas (the peduncle) is cleanly severed from the main pseudostem. The entire bunch, or “rack,” is then carried away for processing.
Post-Harvest Handling and Controlled Ripening
Immediately after cutting the bunch, the individual clusters of bananas, called “hands,” must be separated from the main stalk. The fruit must then be washed to remove the sticky latex sap that bleeds from the cut ends. If left to dry, this sap will permanently discolor the peel, reducing the quality of the final product. A simple rinse with water is often sufficient to remove the latex and any residual dirt.
Because the fruit was harvested green, it requires exposure to ethylene gas to initiate the ripening process. For home growers, this is accomplished by placing the hands in a perforated plastic bag or a paper bag with an ethylene-producing fruit, such as a ripe apple or tomato. The ideal conditions for ripening are a consistent temperature between 58°F and 68°F and a high relative humidity of 90 to 95 percent. Storing the fruit in this temperature range converts starches to sugars over several days, yielding a sweet banana. Exposure to temperatures below 56°F should be avoided, as this causes chilling injury and turns the peel dull or gray.
Managing the Mother Plant for Future Growth
The pseudostem that produced the bunch is monocarpic, meaning it fruits only once before it dies. After the bunch is removed, the entire pseudostem should be cut down completely at ground level. This material is rich in water and potassium; chopping it into small pieces creates an excellent mulch that returns nutrients to the soil.
Continuous production relies on selecting the strongest new shoots, known as suckers, that emerge from the underground rhizome. The preferred replacement is a “sword sucker,” characterized by narrow, sword-like leaves and a strong connection to the parent corm. “Water suckers” have broad leaves and a weaker root system, making them less desirable, and they should be removed. Maintaining a mat with the mother, a half-grown follower, and a young sucker ensures a steady, continuous harvest.