Are there banana farms in Red Deer’s future?
A local family is savouring bananas picked from a tree growing in their Red Deer home.
Gage Seavilleklein said his 1.95-metre banana tree first showed signs of possibly producing fruit in May, and a few months ago, bananas started growing. On Friday, a few started to turn yellow.
They sampled their home-grown tropical fruit for the first time Sunday night. He said the bananas had a silkier texture with more flavour than store bought.
“It’s just a crisper, cleaner taste,” said the family doctor.
They taste better, just like vegetables grown at home, he said.
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The tree grew from another banana tree, which did not produce fruit, that he received as a quirky, farewell gift in 2009 from his previous employer.
While one cutting taken from the mother tree has only grown into a fruitless .6-metre tree, another cutting grew into the tree that now has about a dozen green and yellow bananas.
Seavilleklein said the fruit was completely unexpected and there’s potentially hundreds of more bulbs that could grow into bananas.
“Before, it could go a couple of days without water. Now, it needs water every day. It’s a heavy feeder,” said Seavilleklein, who grew up on a farm and also grows backyard strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes and apples.
He said having a banana tree has been fun, but advised anyone interested in growing a banana tree to be patient.
“The only major plan I have at this point is to make a fantastic banana split. I’ve just got to track down some really good ice cream.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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