Selection A banana stem produces fruit only once. After harvest the stalk is cut off and chopped into small pieces which are left on the ground and incorporated in as mulch. Bunches are harvested when the fingers are plump but before they begin to turn yellow. The homeowner, for best results, should hang the bunch in a cool, shady place. Since ethylene helps initiate and stimulates ripening, and mature fruit gives off this gas in small amounts, ripening can be hastened by covering the bunch with a polyethylene bag.
Pulp is firm, starchy and slightly tart.
Bananas at this stage of ripeness may be cooked, baked, boiled or fried. Pulp is firm. Pulp is mellow and practically all starch has been changed to fruit sugars. Storage To ripen bananas, keep them at room temperature. Bananas can be refrigerated, dried and frozen when ripe.