Nendran Swarnamukhi Banana

Selling Size: Single Plant | Pot Included | Secure Packing 

The Nendran Swarnamukhi Banana is a premium South Indian variety known for its rich taste, high nutritional value, thick golden-yellow flesh, and excellent cooking quality. It belongs to the Nendran group of bananas but stands out for its exceptional sweetness, larger fruit size, and improved disease tolerance. This variety is especially popular in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where it is widely used for chips, steamed dishes, and traditional sweets. With proper care, the Swarnamukhi banana plant produces strong pseudostems, thick leaves, and large bunches packed with premium-quality fruits. Below is a detailed 600-word care guide to help you grow it successfully.

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Nendran Swarnamukhi Banana – Complete Care Guide :

1. Climate Requirements

Nendran Swarnamukhi thrives in hot, humid, tropical climates. It requires warm temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C for optimum growth. While it tolerates high heat, prolonged cold conditions below 15°C slow down growth and may affect bunch development.

Ideal Conditions:

• High humidity

• Bright sunlight

• Warm coastal or semi-tropical environments

Avoid frost-prone regions, as cold stress can weaken the plant.

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2. Sunlight Needs

Like all Nendran varieties, Swarnamukhi requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Good sunlight ensures:

• Thick pseudostem formation

• Large leaf growth

• Strong roots

• Healthy, uniform fruits

Plants grown in low light become thin, weak, and produce smaller bunches.

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3. Soil Requirements

Nendran varieties grow best in deep, fertile, well-drained soils. For Swarnamukhi, choose soil that is:

• Loamy or sandy-loam

• Rich in organic matter

• pH between 6.0 and 7.5

• Not clayey or waterlogged

Before planting, dig a 2×2×2 ft pit and fill it with:

• 50% red soil or garden soil

• 25% cow dung or compost

• 25% sand/cocopeat for drainage

• A handful of neem cake to prevent soil pests

Proper soil preparation directly influences fruit size and bunch weight.

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4. Planting & Spacing

Correct planting helps the plant grow vigorously.

Guidelines:

• Maintain 6–7 feet spacing between plants.

• Plant suckers or tissue culture plants slightly deeper than pot level.

• Press soil firmly around the base.

• Apply thick mulch using coconut husk, dried leaves, or grass.

This spacing allows for good airflow and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.

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5. Watering Requirements

Nendran Swarnamukhi is a heavy water-loving plant. Consistent moisture is essential throughout its growth cycle.

Watering Tips:

• Water every 2–3 days in summer.

• Reduce to twice a week in winter/monsoon.

• Never allow soil to completely dry out.

• Avoid stagnant water around the stem.

Drip irrigation ensures uniform moisture and prevents fungal infections while saving water.

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6. Fertilizer Schedule

To achieve large, high-quality bunches, Swarnamukhi bananas need regular feeding.

Monthly Feeding Plan:

• Organic manure: 1–2 kg compost every month

• Biofertilizers: Trichoderma, mycorrhizae in the root zone

• NPK fertilizers:

  • 2nd & 4th month – Foliar spray of NPK 19-19-19

  • 3rd & 5th month – Soil application of NPK 17-17-17

During Fruiting:

• Add muriate of potash (MOP) or 0-0-50 for fruit size

• Apply banana special micronutrient mix every 30 days

• Use bunch booster sprays for uniform hand formation

Organic alternatives such as bone meal, rock phosphate, and banana peel compost also help.

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7. Pruning & Maintenance

Proper pruning keeps the plant healthy and productive.

• Remove dried leaves regularly.

• Keep only one main plant + one follower sucker.

• Remove extra suckers to concentrate energy on fruiting.

• Maintain thick mulch for moisture retention.

• Weed regularly around the base.

In windy regions, provide support using bamboo poles.

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8. Flowering & Fruiting

Swarnamukhi banana typically flowers around 8–10 months after planting. After the flower appears:

• Hold the heavy bunch with a support stick.

• Remove the male bud (banana heart) 7–10 days after last hand formation.

• Cover the bunch with a protective bag to prevent sunburn and pest damage.

The fruits mature in 90–120 days after flowering.

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9. Common Pests & Diseases

Pests:

• Banana stem borer

• Aphids

• Thrips

• Mealybugs

Use neem oil spray every 10–14 days.

Diseases:

• Sigatoka leaf spot

• Panama wilt

• Bunchy top virus

Prevent diseases by ensuring good drainage, proper spacing, and using disease-free planting material.

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10. Harvesting

Harvest when:

• Fruits turn plump

• Angles become round

• Skin turns light green to yellowish

Use a sharp knife and handle the bunch gently to avoid bruising.