June’s heatwave finally helped me grow a tropical fruit in my East London garden | The Sun

A HOBBY gardener says June’s heatwave has helped grow bananas — in East London.

Ripon Ray had never seen his tree produce any fruit despite years of trying.

The debt expert, 42, said: “We moved into Hackney over ten years ago.

“I bought a banana plant and put it in my garden. Every winter I worry it’s going to die.

“In the last couple of years it’s survived and got bigger and bigger.”

Ripon said the tree does not need much attention and was worrying it was growing too big when he spotted two bunches of fruit.

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He has yet to taste his haul, and is unsure if they are plantains or sweet bananas.

He added: “It’s weird. You think of tropical weather like in Asia or the Caribbean.

“Who’d think London is a hub of bananas. Obviously global warming’s playing a huge part.”

The Royal Horticultural Society said banana trees do not always cope well with our weather, “especially cold, wet winters, gales and dry summers”.

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It added: “Most bananas won’t flower or fruit outdoors in the UK, although some may do so in a heated greenhouse.”

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