Thread: Freaky banana bunch

Nancy Young wrote:
>
> How did I not notice that this bunch of bananas
> has ingrown paper?
>
> http://i37.tinypic.com/bgqqub.jpg
>
> and how did it get there? You cannot remove the paper,
> it's a part of the banana stems.
>
> nancy

I've never seen anything like that in person - how peculiar. I wonder
if it's something done to keep pests away from the flowers that make the
bananas? I know some fruits are sometimes covered with paper bags just
after flowering/fertilization to protect the fruits - or something like
that. The fruits then mature inside the protection of the bags (usually
white) secured around the stems.

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

On Jul 13, 3:32*pm, "Nancy Young" <rjy...@comcast.net> wrote:
> How did I not notice that this bunch of bananas
> has ingrown paper?
>
> http://i37.tinypic.com/bgqqub.jpg
>
> and how did it get there? *You cannot remove the paper,
> it's a part of the banana stems.
>
> nancy

=====================

Nancy,
Are you sure that's paper? The flower of the banana looks a bit like
an unhusked cob of corn. I suspect (only guessing) that this flower
dried up but didn't fall off. It would be kind of like a tomatillo or
persimmon husk but around a whole hand (bunch) of bananas as they
mature.

Where's the Kona Coffee lady when you need her!

Lynn from Fargo
tempted to buy banana flowers in my Asian store

Lynn from Fargo wrote:
> On Jul 13, 3:32 pm, "Nancy Young" <rjy...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> How did I not notice that this bunch of bananas
>> has ingrown paper?
>>
>> http://i37.tinypic.com/bgqqub.jpg
>>
>> and how did it get there? You cannot remove the paper,
>> it's a part of the banana stems.

> Nancy,
> Are you sure that's paper? The flower of the banana looks a bit like
> an unhusked cob of corn. I suspect (only guessing) that this flower
> dried up but didn't fall off. It would be kind of like a tomatillo or
> persimmon husk but around a whole hand (bunch) of bananas as they
> mature.

Okay, I took an even closer look and it's really paper. Like
cheap napkin paper.

nancy (doesn't like where this is going)

Sky wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>> How did I not notice that this bunch of bananas
>> has ingrown paper?
>>
>> http://i37.tinypic.com/bgqqub.jpg
>>
>> and how did it get there? You cannot remove the paper,
>> it's a part of the banana stems.

> I've never seen anything like that in person - how peculiar. I wonder
> if it's something done to keep pests away from the flowers that make
> the bananas?

I did think maybe they sort of bag the bananas while
they are growing? I can't think how else this paper is
an integrated part of this banana bunch.
>
I know some fruits are sometimes covered with paper
> bags just after flowering/fertilization to protect the fruits - or
> something like that. The fruits then mature inside the protection of
> the bags (usually white) secured around the stems.

I'm going with that, Sky.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:
> How did I not notice that this bunch of bananas
> has ingrown paper?
>
> http://i37.tinypic.com/bgqqub.jpg
>
> and how did it get there? You cannot remove the paper,
> it's a part of the banana stems.

At many plantations, workers will insert paper between each "row" of growing
bananas on the bunch. It helps keep the bananas from becoming marked and
spotted.
--
Dave
What is best in life? "To crush your enemies, see them driven before
you, and to hear the lamentation of the women." -- Conan

Dave Bugg wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>> How did I not notice that this bunch of bananas
>> has ingrown paper?
>>
>> http://i37.tinypic.com/bgqqub.jpg
>>
>> and how did it get there? You cannot remove the paper,
>> it's a part of the banana stems.
>
> At many plantations, workers will insert paper between each "row" of
> growing bananas on the bunch. It helps keep the bananas from becoming
> marked and spotted.

Hey! You're back! Hope you had a nice last trip.

It's just nothing I ever saw before, and so weird how
the paper is part of the plant. Thanks for the explanation.

nancy