When you walk through the banana forest on the Wildane property you would assume it’s been there for years.The ground is covered in old banana leaves.You almost feel encaged within the trunks. Banana plants tower twenty feet above you; and everywhere you look there are inflorescences hanging from bunch after bunch of banana hands waiting to ripen. Although the forest is flourishing, to my surprise, the forest is only eight months old!
Esther walking amongst banana plants damaged from wind storm.
Another view of damaged banana plants.
In late-August of last year, a windstorm swept through Rio Grande and destroyed virtually all the banana plants at Wildane. The plants were so damaged that the entire banana forest was cleared to the ground. Because Puerto Rico has the perfect growing conditions for bananas, it didn’t take long for the plants to grow back. Eight months later the forest is back thriving with all kinds of bananas. However, banana planters all over Puerto Rico are currently breeding for plants that are short and stout for wind resistance in hurricanes and wind storms such as these.
Today, Wildane grows six varieties of bananas, Apple,Java Blue (also known as Ice Cream), Red, Kru, Niño, the infamous Cavendish, and numerous ornamental, inedible bananas.
A bunch of apple bananas I harvested hung by the rachis to continue ripening.
Apple Banana
The scientific name for Apple bananas is Musa sapientum. Apple bananas are native to the Philippines and is one of the most common cultivars in Southeast Asia.
Java Blue
Java blue bananas, also known as ice cream bananas, is said to have originated anywhere between Southeast Asia and Northern Austrailia. It is a hybrid of two bananas: Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata.
Red Bananas
Red bananas are native to the West Indies and Central America, and have a red peel.The scientific name is Musa acuminata.
Niño bananas hanging to ripe at friend Roy’s property.
Niño
Niño bananas, also known as lady finger bananas, are native to Southeast Asia. They are a hybrid of Musa acuminata and Musa paradisiaca.
Kru
Kru bananas are a very rare banana plant that is native to the northern region of the island Bornea. They almost resemble dwarf red bananas.
Cavendish
Cavendish bananas are the only bananas exported worldwide, and the only banana available in the U.S.
Purple ornamental bananas at Wildane.
Ornamental Bananas
Wildane also has a few ornamental banana plants. They are not edible, but they are quite beautiful and vary in pinks, purples, and deep reds.
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