My Banana book says you should have one mother plant, one large pup that will be next to fruit, and one small baby to follow that one, and no more or you will sacrifice fruit quality. But is sure is hard to perform banana infanticide. Let me know how your fruit does.

How big of a clump do you want? I have heard the same information Tina shared before but with my clumps of 4 to 8 plants I don't find I sacrifice fruit quality. As a matter of fact I get tons of delicious fruit. I have been growing my bananas this way for 10+ years. Right now I am eating Raja puri bananas, next week it will be time for ice cream. The more plants you have the more fruit you get. I have 10 varities and currently have 6 banana plants fruiting.

Some one told me that's what bananas farms do, but it isn't necessary for us back yard growers. I just let them go and when I think there is a lot I find someone to share them with.:o)

I have 3 different varieties growing in groups and still cannot figure out what makes a banana tree fruit. I have one that is a year old, tall, big around, and has never fruited. Another, just fruited after popping out of the ground six months ago.

Is there some magical fruiting potion that growers use?

billbrandi it takes at least a year after planting for fruit, maybe your plant just isn't ready. I always tell people to think of bananas as teenagers,they are always hungry and thirsty.