Description
William’s banana trees can grow between 3 to 5 metres tall. It has excellent bunching characteristics and long fruit fingers, which measure up to 20cm long. The bananas are large, with a smooth, yellow peel when ripe, with a creamy, sweet interior. The flavor is mild, making them ideal for fresh consumption or use in recipes.
Bananas have fibre, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and various vitamins. They moderate blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and may help with weight loss. They contain antioxidants.
Banana flowers are hermaphroditic, meaning they have both male and female reproductive parts. The male and female flowers are located close together on the same inflorescence, making it easy for pollen to transfer from one to the other.
Our banana plants usually bear fruit the following season after planting.
Harvest occurs when the bananas are still green but fully developed. They ripen after harvesting.
Position
The Williams variety thrives in warm, tropical climates. However, it can be grown in subtropical areas with proper care.
Bananas prefer full sun or partial afternoon shade. The Williams banana tree is not tall, so it can withstand strong winds better than other cultivars.
Size
A mature Williams banana tree is between 2.5 and 3m tall and spreads between 1.8 and 2.4m.
Soil
Well-drained soil with a pH range of between 6.5 and 8.
Use potting soil if growing your tree in a container. You could use your garden soil or a mixture of compost and potting soil to grow in the ground.
Our Volcanic Rock Dust is great for keeping your soil in optimal condition for a banana tree.
Watering
Keep the soil around your banana tree moist to ensure the roots do not dry.
Pruning
Remove damaged or worn leaves to keep your tree in tip-top shape. Pruning stimulates the growth of new leaves.
Pests
The Williams banana is resistant to most diseases. Keep an eye on your tree and look for small black bugs, aphids, and spider mite webs. Treat any of these with an organic pesticide like our Neem Oil.
Harvesting
From the time the flowers appear to the time the fruit is mature, it is usually 75 to 80 days. They are ready to pick when the fruit on the upper section changes from green to light green/yellow. The fruit will also have begun to plump up. Remember that bananas can also be used at various stages – even green bananas.
