Unfortunately, the link provided by banana-grower (and cut-and-pasted above) doesn't seem to provide any info on tissue-culture. As a matter of fact, it says, "...most of Banana is grown by planting suckers." Banana-grower operates in Melbourne, FL. Before I moved to the Florida Panhandle (and bringing my 'nanners with me!), I lived in Vero Beach -- which is a little less than an hour south of Melbourne on the Atlantic coast, or about 45 miles or so. Despite the fact that the two places are fairly close geographically, there is a transition between the sub-tropical and temperate zones between Vero and Melbourne, actually visible from I-95 as one drives between the two locations. I recall it getting quite a bit cooler in Melbourne during the winter months, so, to call it "sunny Florida" conjures images of conditions like those in Miami -- which is in truth substantially different. I don't doubt that there are varieties which fruit sooner than the rule-of-thumb six months, but it's probably not accurate to lump all bananas into the same cultural/growth time-line as each other. Certainly it takes a bit more than "watering daily" to get them to fruit sooner. Watering daily during cooler months when bananas slow down will get you rot problems, so, a greater understanding of their growing requirements is necessary than this overly-simplified answer. Surprisingly, there is a lack of info on the web concerning the length of time it takes to ripen bananas before harvesting -- although several sites discuss the post-harvest stage. I found the following which might explain how commercial growers are able to get away with harvesting a bit sooner, but also why grocery-store bananas are a bit "bland": ********************************* 1. Q. I've got bananas growing in my backyard and, I know that you're not going to believe it, they have produced little bananas! When do I harvest the fruit and how do I make them ripen? A. Unlike most other fruits, the banana will develop a resemblance to normal flavor after being harvested at any time after they are as much as 2 to 3 inches long: separation from the plant causes initiation of all ripening processes. However, the greener the fruit is harvested the slower these processes will be. Few of the ripening changes proceed well in banana fruits left to ripen on the tree: starch remains high and sugar consequently lower than in fruit ripened off the tree. Bananas shipped to this country are harvested "three-fourths full". This means that three fourths of the bananas have filled out and do not have the predominant ribs on the sides of the fruit. (When a banana is green and immature it has several obvious ribs down the length of the fruit. As the banana matures the ribs become less obvious.) Bananas need exposure to a naturally occurring gas called ethylene in order to ripen properly. Homeowners can "gas" their own bananas by placing them in an airtight plastic bag with several apples, which naturally emit the gas. ******************************** So, yes, commercial growers do harvest bananas more quickly, but it is at the cost of fruit quality. The following is the only other relevant discussion I could find on ripening time, from the California Rare Fruit Growers website: ************************** Fruit Harvest: Stalks of bananas are usually formed in the late summer and then winter over. In March they begin "plumping up" and may ripen in April. Occasionally, a stalk will form in early summer and ripen before cold weather appears. The fruit can be harvested by cutting the stalk when the bananas are plump but green. For tree-ripened fruit, cut one hand at a time as it ripens. If latter is done, check stalk daily as rodents can eat the insides of every banana, from above, and the stalk will look untouched. Once harvested the stalk should be hung in a cool, shady place. Since ethylene helps initiate and stimulate ripening, and mature fruit gives off this gas in small amounts, ripening can be hastened by covering the bunch with a plastic bag. Plantains are starchy types that are cooked before eating. ******************************* Bananas will, of course, bloom and fruit whenever they feel like it, also dependent upon varietal differences. My dwarf Namwah is just beginning to fruit now, despite consistent nighttime temps in the 40s with a handful to the mid 30s over the past few weeks! I also have a fruiting Ice Cream (as well as dwarf Brazilian and California Gold) which is about eight weeks old at this point. The dwarf Brazilian started in June so I'll cut it off in three or four weeks, but the CalGold and Ice Cream will have to stay on through the winter. I have a fuzzy memory about this and can't recall where I read it, but I seem to remember that Ice Cream is an exception that should be left on the plant until it starts to form black marks on the fruit skin to signal optimal ripeness before the finishing stage in your garage or closet. Hope this helps. Bruce C.

Seeing as how this post has been dug up again, I feel obligated to update my banana choices. Have discovered awhile ago that the Goldfingers were taking too much time to ripen, compared to most others. So have listened to a few of the more experienced contributors on the Garden Web and am now fazing them out. Instead have introduced two new plants, one an Apple banana and the second the bluish skinned Ice Cream bananas. Have also gotten serious about the amount of cow manure and organic compost those guys have to grow in. The entire 36' x 12' raised bed ( RR ties ), was what I considered, a tiny bit on the light side. So I drove over to Wally's, bought 14 more bags of Black Cow and emptied all but one into the banana bed ! On top of the existing cow manure & compost, it's now like a tumultuous sea of black in there now. If I have a problem in future, one thing I can be sure of,...the banana plants are NOT under fertilized !!! LOL Belize got wind of my renewed efforts and immediately warned me about exporting down there. They are safe this year, - will now just give some plump hands out to my friends and neighbors. Nothing better in my book than having a plethora of 3 types of lush bananas and 4 types of firm orange/yellow, melt-in-your-mouth mangoes to spread about while gourging on them myself. Should have frozen mangos in my freezer for 6, 7 months after this next harvest in June/July 2018 !!! Life is good,....especially when growing healthy bananas and mangoes, - in the SW area of Florida,...and right on the Gulf of Mexico may I add ? This particular area is called "Nirvana " by us lucky New Yorkers who moved here many years ago !!!! Sure beats the Upper West Side of Manhattan !!! FLORIDA ES NUMERO UNO !!! ( SMILE )

Aww...no responses. I was kind of excited about the potential of being a Bananas Foster. Tee hee hee. All joking aside, Cliff, I'd say this is worth a Treasure Coast visit. My neighbor went today - got three banana clumps, 2 broms, and a bottleneck palm. $5 a pop. Just seeing and touching the Royal Hawaiian banana plant and pups (not for sale) is well worth the trip. The leaf of that beautiful banana feels like silk. Both the stalk and the leaves have the most beautiful green/white varigation. I've never seen anything like it, banana wise. Local lore has it that Hawaiian royalty killed anyone caught trying to steal that particular species. I'm planting banana alley on Thursday. Can't wait...

Wow.. I am a little surprised by how many see JJill as "old lady" clothes. I've been wearing JJill casual wear since my early 30s (I am 50 now). There's no question that the store has changed over the years-- and I do think it leans a older these days-- but there are still some great pieces! I absolutely love their "perfect tank" and the elliptical tees. I also like the gauzy flowy boho tops. They don't carry my favorite linen pants anymore but I do have a few pairs of their boyfriend jeans. I don't think I dress "old lady" at all LOL-- in fact, there are some who would say I dress too young for my age! The store seemed like a good fit for JLC's slightly hippie boho style, her budget and her body shape... oh! and for the weather she'll be facing. My bigger issue with JJill is the sinking quality (and with many other stores!). I first started shopping there because they had all natural fibers-- no more. I still stick with their all cotton (or linen.. or cashmere) pieces but now I know I need to check fabric content. Happy Birthday, JLC!! Hope you had a fabulous week and hope you are happy with your new purchases!