The cost of transporting bananas and other tropical fruits to colder climates is enormous, both economically & environmentally. So, if these fruits could be taught/bred to say migrate to colder areas, just as they are about to ripen, this would be a very good thing indeed. Greengrocers would just need to make their shops look attractive to the migrating fruits from the air, and then just sit back and watch their shelves fill.

An alternative would be to try to teach migrating birds to bring back fruits, nuts etc., but chances are they'd get a bit peckish on the way home.
-- slancaster, May 21 2001

And growing tropical fruits in greenhouses is unsatisfactory because...?
-- angel, May 21 2001


Pre-ripe fruits keep for longer.
-- Rodomontade, May 21 2001


An absence of fruit flies.
-- st3f, May 21 2001, last modified May 22 2001


Bananas have neither wings nor legs. Migration requires mobility. Many plants (storksbill, scotch broom, etc) propel their seeds considerable distances using catapult seedpods. Ergo: bananas, mangos, durian, and other tropical yummies can migrate ballistically when perfectly ripe. Watch out for the coconuts, though.
-- Dog Ed, May 21 2001


"Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?"
-- beauxeault, May 22 2001


... and suddenly 'strawberries being in season' takes on a whole new meaning ...
-- Rodomontade, May 22 2001


Thinly disguised Monty Python pun, but funny and conversation-inducing nonetheless. Frankly, I have enoguh trouble with pollen and seeds getting all over my car. I don't htink the same scenario with entire fruits would be tolerable.
-- nick_n_uit, May 22 2001


"How do coconuts get here from the tropics?"
"Why, they're carried by the stork, and storks are paid in green cabbage, no, brocco..LAAAUGH!"
-- reensure, May 23 2001


Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana
- G. Marx
-- globaltourniquet, May 23 2001


And then we eat them. Stupid fruits.
-- ejs, May 23 2001



random, halfbakery