Owner's comments
We use biodynamic treatments. These winter bananas are on old standards, probably 80+ years old. Always had been wormy, scabby and so maimed we couldn't even figure out what kind they were. In spring 2008 we put biodynamic tree paste on the trunks. No real difference in fall but the following year, in fall 2009, the fruit was outstanding. Very little pest damage and some of the fruit was perfect. Enough we were easily able to identify them as Winter Bananas.
In case any one wants to try this, TREE PASTE is a slurry of clay (from our soil), sand, and cow manure from our organically raised cows. We smeared it all over the trunk all the way up to the first branch and left it to dry. In our wet climate I really didn't think it would last but it did. And the trees, a year later, showed an amazing difference. Because of that, we put tree paste on all our trees this year. An easy organic solution.