Globally bananas are the most traded fruit, as well as the most consumed fruit. The perfect combination of price, all-year-round production, taste, and nutritional components make this the ideal fruit for importing. Part of what makes the banana plant a viable fruit to grow throughout the entire year are the necessary growing conditions. Soil and temperature conditions are found in many regions all around the globe, ranging from America, Africa, and Asian countries. Naturally a plant can be grown with great success without much care, but to grow a perfect plant for exporting certain care must be kept by the banana growers.

Soil

Soil encompasses many different variables, which include PH levels, amount of water, nutrients, additives, and many more characteristics. Not only are there internal factors to soil but also external factors affect soil such as contamination and global warming. These factors must be taken into account to make sure the banana plant is located in the right conditions for production, with the aim of having a healthy fruit for exporting.
Catering the soil conditions towards the specific characteristics of banana plants is important. First, it’s important to understand that bananas roots are 5 to 10 meters in depth, but despite the maximum length, 85% of its roots are present within 30 centimeters of the soil. Spread is important as well, which is located mostly 30 to 60 centimeters from the pseudo-stem.

Starting with the water levels, which is one of the most important aspects to take care of, and in most cases the grower has complete control over it. The minimum water demand of a banana plant is 25 millimeters per week, but can go up to 1800 millimeters in tropical regions. High water consumption in tropical climates are a consequence of warm climates which cause high evapotranspiration rates. Irrigation systems are a solution in low precipitation regions.

Despite the high levels of water needed for banana productions, excess rainfall and flooding can damage the plant severely. To mitigate adverse effects from excess water a drainage system should be implemented by the growers. Roots rotting are one of the main causes of banana plants to die, which is caused by standing water.
For soil amendments, the recommended and usually added components are compost, sand, manure, lime, peat moss, and wood ash. These amendments are necessary to give the plant a rich soil to grow in, giving it essential nutrients for heavy and healthy banana fruits. Low nutrient levels can cause a subpar growth, being especially harmful for exporting the final fruits.

Soil pH levels are also important in banana production, as a highly acidic soil can impede the plant from growing properly. Ideally the banana plant should be grown at a soil pH between 6.0 to 6.5. This can vary slightly up or down, but preferably towards a slightly acidic to neutral soil. Positive side of pH soil levels are they can be altered by adding amendments, achieving an ideal level for the banana plant production.
Also, important to mention, closely related to soil, is space. Banana trees need room to grow. If planted very close together the trees can increase humidity, and the temperate between the plants.

Temperature

Temperature can drastically affect the growth of the banana plant, not only in the final quality and health of the fruit but also in the time it takes to fully grow. In regions where there are 4 different climate seasons the plant can take 6 months to mature, and in a different time of the year it will only take 3 months. These conditions are the reason why the major banana exporting countries all boast a tropical climate year-round. Tropical climates provide high temperatures, but unlike deserts they also provide humid conditions.
Bananas can handle extreme heat, well above 30 Celsius, although that does not mean deserts are the ideal region, neither does it mean they can’t grow in cold weather. Banana trees can grow as low as 14 Celsius, any lower than that temperature they stop growing.

High air temperatures, which are usually considered high at 38 Celsius or greater, combined with bright sunshine on the plant can cause sunburn damage. This can burn the leaves and the fruit itself if a cover is not present.
The ideal temperature for banana production is between 26 to 30 Celsius, with a couple degrees of variation being acceptable. This temperature makes the tree grow fast, healthy, and produce a heavy and health banana fruit. Despite having a correct temperature, a banana cover is always necessary to avoid sub burn and various climate conditions that could affect the fruit.
Light is highly important for the banana plant. Cloudy climates can affect the tree as the ideal light direct sunlight the plant needs is between 6 to 8 hours.

Tropical climates such as those found in Costa Rica as ideal for banana production. A combination of warm climate, humid conditions, and rich soil have proved this country to be a world-wide known exporter of quality banana fruits. Having a production all through the year has the benefit of having plenty of fruit to export when the importers place an order. In recent times consumer habits have shaped the banana industry into a hyper-competitive one, expecting low cost fruit every single day of the year. As well as choosing only the cavendish type, and a perfect looking bright yellow one. These qualities are understood and delivered by Total Fruit. Feel free to contact our company for information on how to import banana as well an inquiry you might have. We provide premium Cavendish bananas, with a great transport system, ensuring the final product gets to the destination in perfect conditions.

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