Well, my tree gave up the ghost and the stalk was laying on the ground so I didn't have any decision to make. The Stalk weighs about 75 lbs, it's huge, the bananas still have ridges or corners on them, I had hoped to see them round off before I had to take it down. Do you think removing a few hands and putting them in brown paper bags will help ripen them, or is it OK just to leave the stalk on my porch? I've3 never had to chose before always had them ripen on the tree.