{"product_id":"mona-lisa-banana-cold-tolerant-dessert-banana","title":"Mona Lisa - Banana - Cold Tolerant Dessert Banana","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMona Lisa Banana (Musa) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e* Delivery from October 2025 (best time to uplift them from the ground and repot)\u003cbr\u003eHonduran hybrid dessert banana. Vigorous and strong grower up to 3.5 high with partially red pseudostems. Suitable for NZ climate, excellent tasting, sweet and tangy.  3 - 3.5 m high. More cold and wind tolerant and produces higher quality fruit in sub-tropical conditions. Highly recommended and well suited to growing in NZ in warmer frost free areas. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePlant is from water suckers so will fruit even faster than pups. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall - to 0.5m\u003cbr\u003eMedium - up to 1m\u003cbr\u003eLarge -1-1.5m\u003cbr\u003eX Large - 1.5m +\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWatering: Maintain consistent moisture, watering deeply especially in warmer months. Reduce watering in cooler months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: Best between 26°C and 30°C. Bananas are not frost-tolerant and require protection or placement in warm climates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight: Full sun is ideal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFertilising: Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as 30-10-10 monthly during the growing season to support vigorous leaf growth. Once the plant starts flowering, switch to a high-potassium fertilizer like 15-5-30 to support fruit development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePruning: Regularly remove dead leaves and spent fruit stalks. Cut back the main fruiting stem after harvest to encourage new growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulching: Apply heavy mulch to retain soil moisture, provide nutrients, and suppress weeds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePest Control: Look out for pests such as aphids, spider mites, and nematodes. Use eco-friendly pesticides if necessary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlowering and Fruiting: Each pseudostem will fruit once. Fruit typically matures in about 3 to 8 months, depending on conditions and variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotting: Suitable for large containers, but requires ample space and meticulous care to manage growth and ensure sufficient nutrients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Exotica NZ","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":67589454364923,"sku":"MONA LISA SM","price":99.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":67589455151355,"sku":"MONA MED","price":119.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":67589455184123,"sku":"MOND LGE","price":139.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/3826\/3803\/files\/IMG_5266_c6aa0a4e-d6ec-459d-9838-37a3b09995dc.png?v=1790553282","url":"https:\/\/farmfreshdirect.co.nz\/products\/mona-lisa-banana-cold-tolerant-dessert-banana","provider":"Farm Fresh Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}