Banana 'Dwarf Ladyfinger' (photo courtesy Fruitopia Nursery, Brisbane - fruitopianursery.com.au)
Musa acuminata
The ladyfinger, usually a dwarf form of the Cavendish cultivar, is also known as a Chinese Banana, Sugar Banana, Date Banana or Fig Banana. Has a very sweet taste.
Fun fact: Bananas are not actually trees, but rather herbaceous perennials – the largest herbs in the world.
Cut the bunches off while they’re still green and allow them to ripen indoors or leave them on the tree until they’re fully ripe.
Ladyfingers don't immediately turn brown after being cut - this makes them work well fresh, e.g. in fruit salads.
Ladyfingers have bright yellow flowers that are great for attracting hummingbirds and beneficial insects to the garden.
Tree maintenance
The ladyfinger, usually a dwarf form of the Cavendish cultivar, is also known as a Chinese Banana, Sugar Banana, Date Banana or Fig Banana. Has a very sweet taste.
Fun fact: Bananas are not actually trees, but rather herbaceous perennials – the largest herbs in the world.
Cut the bunches off while they’re still green and allow them to ripen indoors or leave them on the tree until they’re fully ripe.
Ladyfingers don't immediately turn brown after being cut - this makes them work well fresh, e.g. in fruit salads.
Ladyfingers have bright yellow flowers that are great for attracting hummingbirds and beneficial insects to the garden.
Tree maintenance
- Banana plants need lots of water and they should be watered every day during periods of extreme heat or drought.
- Banana plants are also heavy feeders, so it’s important to feed the plants with garden lime and a balanced organic fertiliser every few months during the spring and summer months.
- After the fruit has been harvested the main stem should be cut down as this is no longer viable; cull all but the strongest of the suckers to replace the main stem; cover the smaller sucker with mulch over winter to protect from the cold.
- Remove dead leaves regularly.
Banana 'Dwarf Ladyfinger' at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
