Muchos Bananos!

After the bunch of bananas got chewed up by the pizote a few weeks back, I was watching the next bunch closely.

Our machete was really dull, so two weeks ago the gardeners took it away to sharpen it - of course, as soon as they left it was apparent that the bananas need to be cut.  Two weeks later - asked them to cut the now over due bunch, as well as the next bunch that is pretty much ready.

These have been chewed by something(s) - pizotes and birds - we will hack through a salvage what we can.

These are maybe a week early, but better this way than letting the wildlife at them.

So Lisle says this morning - I don't really like bananas - they are great for baking but not eating!  The one thing we can get to grow and fruit!  Sometimes no pleasing him!

Anyway - FYI - bananas aren't trees - vascular plants that fruit once and need to be cut down - each plant starts 'babies' before it fruits, so always more to come.

Back to it - Bananas and All

So I have been remiss in blogging - seems Facebook became an easier option, but I think I will try my hand back here and see how it goes.

We have a group of banana plants out back - 6 or so.  We have had fruit from them before, but at the moment, 3 of them are actively fruiting - one in particular is ready for cutting.

New Year's Eve I noticed the top bunch was turning yellow - I said to Lisle, we need to cut that one before the birds get them.

New Year's Day came and went - no, we weren't hungover - just occupied with other stuff - window washing etc.

This afternoon, the howler monkey started up about 1:00 pm.  It is an odd time for him to howl and he was very close, so I went to look out back.

Something was in the banana plant having a feast - thought it might have been a howler - turned out to be a Pizote.  The howler was probably screeching for him to get away from the feast.

About 1/3 of the bunch chewed on.

So we went out with the Machete and hacked at the tree.  The plan was I chopped and Lisle eased the tree to the ground -  well not quite.  I chopped - Lisle said it's coming down and pushed it away from him and it crashed to the ground - bunch of bananas first.  The ripe and half chewed ones sprayed everywhere.  Managed to save about 1/3 of the bunch.  I am sure the Pizote will be back to clean up.

Yes, We Have No Bananas - STILL!!

So, the banana plant started to fruit - a big bunch.

It grew and then it just at there and, best I can tell, rotted.  Never big enough to eat, but so tantalizing!  The landscapers cut down the tree (they are only good for one bunch) and will let the 'baby' grow.

But there is still hope!  the banana plant next to it just sent out a bunch - guess we will have to see how this one goes.

And there is hope on other fronts - Blossoms!!

Citrus, and

Starfruit

Have some pineapples to plant, and the Papaya trees are 3 feet tall!!

Watch out Chiquita and Dole - our fruit empire is about to explode!!

Yes, We Have No Bananas

That has been our problem.

20+ fruit trees on the property but no fruit.

6 banana trees, 3 mango trees, 2 water apples, a starfruit, several papaya (they are pretty small we grew them from seeds), citrus in large number (I hesitate to say what type as here anything citrus seems to be a "Limon"), cinnamon and 6 avocado trees.  All without any fruit and most have been planted for 5 years.  Lisle is "very disappointed".

Well, our fruitlessness has come to an end.  Yes, we have BANANAS!!!

No they are not yet ready to eat, and lord knows that any number of creatures may devour them before we get a taste, but they are there and they are growing.

Standby for the tasting!!

Fruits of Our Labor!

One of the great things about life in the tropics is the fresh fruit and your ability to grow it in your backyard.

We have had success with pineapples.  They take forever to grow and you only get one fruit from the plant, but fresh like that is absolutely indescribable.

We also have the forever bearing hot pepper tree.  We actually can't keep up with it.

We have about 15 fruit trees around the property - various citrus, water apple, star fruit, avocado, mango - all planted about 4 years ago, and none with any fruit ever - - - but maybe there is hope - the lemon tree, and another citrus - likely lime - hooray!!!

 

What a Difference a Day Makes

Saturday could not have been more different than Friday - overcast from the start, but the rain started about 2pm and was good tropical rain - - constant - heavy at times - above all it was loud - so loud you could bearly hear the sound from the TV/Stereo.  TIP:  we were told that noise cancelling headphones are a necessity for the rainy season!  Guess that is coming in the luggage next trip.

Sunday was better - some sun in the morning - but the rain set in around dinner - - really neat watchign the valley disappear in the clouds before the rain begins.

Keith and Karen's daughter and her partner arrived from Toronto with the new baby (7 weeks old) for a quick visit (9 days) - such a sweetie - Liz walked over to see us (about 30 minutes up and down the hills) with baby Mila in the snugglie - - hiking at 7 weeks - - quite the adventurer and world traveler!

Cooking experiment - showed you the giant pepper bush before - just plucked 2 pounds of hot red peppers from it - - needed to do that before they just rotted - -  trying our hand at hot pepper sauce.  blend the peppers with a head of garlic and a bit of water, some salt and brown sugar - let sit 5 days - add vinegar and cook - strain and bottle.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Breakfast is underway - fruit salad - papaya and banana - yum

OOOPPSS!  Bananas are too ripe - guess it it a banana, mango, pineapple smoothie with banana muffins - yum yum!  papaya for a salsa with the chicken for dinner!