How to grow bananas.

My Japanese channel
@avocado_japan
（I post information about tropical fruit trees in Japanese.
Because it gets cold in Japan, tropical fruit trees aren't as popular, but I'm still doing my best.）

Thank you for always watching my videos.

I cultivate bananas in Okinawa, Japan. At the same time, I also share information through my YouTube channel and as a board member of the Japan Tropical Fruit Association. In addition to explaining how to grow bananas, I also delve into topics like the history of bananas, classification, and plant physiology. Moreover, with the aim of preserving banana genetic resources, I maintain many varieties.
In this video, I will thoroughly introduce banana physiology and cultivation methods. This is a video not only for those who are currently growing bananas but also for those who are thinking about starting, as well as those who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of bananas. I also grow various other fruit trees in addition to bananas. So, for those involved in fruit tree cultivation, please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel.

Objectives and Targets of Cultivation (Home Gardening, Commercial Farming, etc.):
Banana cultivation can be largely divided based on the purpose. First, commercial cultivation in banana-exporting countries like Ecuador and the Philippines plays a central role in the global banana industry, with large-scale banana plantations being established. Especially, export-oriented bananas like the Cavendish variety (AAA) are grown under strict quality control for the international market.
On the other hand, cultivation for home gardens and small farms is also flourishing. In Okinawa and other regions of Japan, banana cultivation is primarily for self-sufficiency or local markets, often involving different varieties from commercial cultivation. For instance, in Okinawa, the "Island Banana" (AAB), also known as the Ogasawara variety, is widely grown, and recently, varieties like the Namwa (ABB) and Blue Java (ABB), also known as cooking bananas, have become popular.
In Okinawa, home garden banana cultivation is relatively easy, especially because bananas are highly adaptable and propagate easily.
Bananas are particularly popular in tropical and subtropical regions. In recent years, there has been a growing interest globally, including Japan, in sustainable and organic farming. This trend has led to an increase in the production of bananas using organic or natural farming methods in Okinawa, where bananas can thrive with minimal intervention.
Thus, the purpose of banana cultivation is diverse, ranging from large-scale commercial production aimed at export markets to small-scale cultivation for local markets or personal consumption. Depending on the scale and purpose, the cultivation methods and management techniques for bananas also vary.
In this video, I will introduce the overall picture of banana cultivation, covering topics from the basic physiology of bananas to their cultivation methods, harvesting, and even sustainable farming techniques. In particular, I aim to deepen understanding of daily management and climate-adapted cultivation techniques.

Structural Characteristics of Bananas
The structure of banana plants is quite different from that of typical woody plants. Bananas are herbaceous plants and are technically not classified as "trees." Therefore, key structural elements include the pseudostem, leaves, and root system. However, since bananas do not have branches like many other fruit trees, they are relatively easy to grow for beginners as they don’t require pruning like typical fruit trees.

Optimal Temperature and Humidity ConditionsBananas grow best in tropical and subtropical regions, and these climate conditions are considered optimal for their growth. The ideal temperature range for bananas is between 20°C and 30°C. Growth slows below this range, and damage can occur at temperatures below 10°C. In Okinawa, during rare cold spells, we sometimes see leaf burn symptoms. Temperatures above 35°C can also cause stress to the plants, reducing photosynthetic activity and increasing transpiration, although such high temperatures are rare in Okinawa.
Humidity is also important for banana cultivation. Bananas prefer high humidity, and an annual relative humidity of 70% or higher is ideal. In dry climates, regular irrigation and proper soil management are required. Extremely low humidity can cause the leaves to dry out and hinder fruit growth.
Bananas also require an annual rainfall of about 1,200 to 2,500 mm, and in areas with distinct rainy and dry seasons, an appropriate irrigation system is necessary during the dry season. In my orchard, where the annual rainfall is about 2,000 mm, we have never needed to irrigate.

#cultivation #Bananacultivation #banana #Bananagrow #howtogrowbanana #gardening

[Norbingel]

Have you looked into Syntropic Agroforestry?

[stickysat]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge ! :) Been growing organically several varieties of banana for years in very tropical environment (french polynesia) and it's interesting to see that they also grow well in Japan ! :) Although it mostly provides N, a cheap, efficient and fast release organic fertilizer is urine... Fish emulsion is great too ! :) EM strongly activate decomposition of all organic matters and is very effective against bad smells... ;) Wish you the very best ! :)

[harshad.sharma]

Thank you, this is a masterclass in growing bananas!

[PapaPapaD]

The thumbnail should say “How to grow bananas”, not ‘banana’ 😊
Just a little constructive criticism.