If you plant an Indian banana (bot. Asimina triloba), you will certainly not only want to enjoy the attractive flowers and decorative foliage, but also the tasty fruits. However, this requires pollination, and unfortunately this is not a given for the Indian banana.
How does the pollination of an Indian banana work?
Many types of Indian banana are not self-fertile. They only bear fruit if there is another Indian banana nearby. Although there are only a few insects in Central Europe that pollinate the Indian banana, hand pollination is still rarely necessary.
Do I always need a second Indian banana for pollination?
A second Indian banana is for fertilizationnot always necessary, there are some more or less self-pollinating species. Occasionally even those varieties that are actually considered self-infertile bear fruit. But that is rather the exception. Ideally, however, you should plant two Indian bananas that are not of the same variety. This increases your chances of a rich harvest, even with self-pollinating species.
Which types of Indian banana are self-fertile?
So far, only two varietiesof Indian bananas are considered self-fertile. The “Prima 1216” variety bears relatively large fruits with a pleasantly mild taste. The second species that is considered self-fertile is the “Sunflower” variety. It is very aromatic. Its brown-red, bell-like flowers offer a unique, exotic sight in spring.
When can I expect fruit from my Indian banana?
It takesup to ten years for an Indian banana to fully grow and bear fruit if you have planted seedlings. For young plants, this time depends on the size of the plant. However, you should expect around three to four years.
Tip
The right location for the Indian banana
A good harvest depends not only on the plant itself, but also on the location of your Indian banana. As a young plant it prefers partial shade, but later a spot in full sun. She needs this so that the fruits can ripen and develop their full aroma. Since young plants are not yet hardy, planting them in a container is recommended for the first four years.
