Hi,

My neighbor gave me his pups three years ago, and this year for the first time we have some fruit.


here is the flower


I have no idea what kind these are and I don't even know if we can eat the fruit. Are these edible? If so, when do I harvest them?

Thank you for your help.

Jim

They are edible if you like the way they taste!

Not trying to be funny, but I don't know of any poisonous bananas. "Edible" ones are ones that are soft and sweet, or at least pleasant tasting. "Inedible" bananas are ones that bear fruit that is too small, too hard, or too bitter to bother with. (Usually 2 or 3 of those characteristics.)

Looks to me like you've got some big tasty ones. Knowing when to harvest depends on the species. In general terms, when the flower brach is very dry, and the fruit is plump (not ribbed and "hungry" looking), cut off a hand, take it inside and put it in a paper or plastic bag in a cool (not refrigerated!) place for 18-24 hours. Then remove from bag, put them on counter until as ripe as you like. If they don't ripen well, let the next hand ripen "on the vine" longer before harvest.

Yours still look a little bit ribbed to me. I'd wait a little longer, if weather permits, but as I wrote, it depends on variety.