Thread: Yes! We Have No Bananas

The imminent death of the Cavendish banana and why it affects us all - BBC News

This world will go bananas without bananas.

Thanks for sharing this post. I have known for a long time that banana seeds are infertile, so you cannot grow additional banana plants from the seeds in a banana. However, I was not aware that most banana plants in the world are descended from a single plant, but it makes sense. I love eating a banana each day, so I would hate to see the loss of this beloved fruit.

So much of the worlds food supply relies on a few strains of plants. There is a similar potential for Idaho potatoes. Like bananas, they are not grown from seed. A large percentage of Idaho potatoes are from the same strain of potato plant, the Russet Burbank. If a potato disease such as hit Ireland in the mid-1800s were to hit the northwest US, a significant portion of the world's potato supply could be affected. You would think that we would be smart enough to learn from history, but that does not seem to be the case.

It is a shame that the Federal Seed Banks have been underfunded for decades. Many earlier strains of now monoculture crops are gone due to no replanting and the seeds becoming infertile.
We live upon a precarious edge of staple foods whose long term availability is unsure.
~Richard

I enjoyed bananas when I was younger, but later in life developed an allergy to them. Part of me wants to point and laugh, because they tried to kill me twice before I put 2 & 2 together. Stupid Cavendishes...

But when one separates their personal hatred for the backstabbing yellow boogers and realize how big a food source they are and how much they drive certain economies, it becomes much less funny.

Hopefully they can come up with a way to either treat the plants or the soil to get rid of the fungus.

Not to long ago I spent three years commuting to Jakarta to help develop a fresh food production/distribution system.
I was shocked to see the variety of bananas for sale. There was one boulevard that we traversed regularly that I referred to as "Banana Road" since it was lined with vendors.
All sizes and shape and taste profiles (hint of Almond was the most rememberable) but they all had ver thin skins and you could see how it would be hard to transport.
Remember that before we had the Cavendish our banana of choice was the Gros Micheal (sp) - so if you think the bananas of the 50's and 60's where different/better, you where not dreaming...

The modern world has failed, we live in the age of apocalyps............

Seriously not sure how my boy would be without his bananas......he loves them and if there's not one every morning, let's say it isn't a good day.

I agree Richard, it is very sad we have come to the point where some foods may be gone. It's not like the population will lessen anytime soon.
Ray you also touched on this. It is amazing how many people don't realize how close we are to a food disaster.
But then again they don't realize much overall. Unless their favorite tv show or junk food is cancelled

Originally Posted by Dieseld

Unless their favorite tv show or junk food is cancelled

Remember what happened with the Hostess Twinkie went out of production for a while....?

Originally Posted by MJC

Remember what happened with the Hostess Twinkie went out of production for a while....?

Yes sir, it was pandimodium for sure. There were people paying $1,000's for a box!!

Some people.......