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DaveE
06-10-2010, 03:45 PM
Last week I noticed that the last 3 leaves on my largest Orinoco are progressively getting smaller. This morning a new leaf unfurled continuing the trend and making it four in a row. The last normal sized leaf measured 63" followed by one measuring 58", 54", 49" and this mornings leaf was 44". All rounded numbers of course.

I read the leaf before the flag thread and the flag of the flag of the... post, but there seemed to be a drastic reduction of leaf size not this slow progression. Has anyone noticed a longer slower reduction in leaf size prior to flowering? Or is this in reaction to some environmental factor?

Dave

Patty in Wisc
06-10-2010, 05:28 PM
Did you recently transplant? Could it be rootbound if potted? Different soil?

DaveE
06-10-2010, 06:36 PM
Did you recently transplant? Could it be rootbound if potted? Different soil?

Hi Patty,

It was potted over the winter and moved outside to its current location in the ground the first week of March. It lost all of its winter leaves to spring storms as it was out in the open height wise. I think I can rule out soil as I have several other Orinocos right near it and they are displaying normal sized leaves. It could be spending more energy developing roots, although you would think it would just send up less leaves instead of affecting the size. Hopefully someone will have some insight.

I hope all is still well up in WI with that IC of yours!

Dave

Abnshrek
06-10-2010, 07:22 PM
Good Observation DaveE :^) The question is do you always walk around your yard with a tape measure on your hip? :^)

Dean W.
06-10-2010, 07:27 PM
Good question, Dave.

DaveE
06-10-2010, 08:04 PM
Good Observation DaveE :^) The question is do you always walk around your yard with a tape measure on your hip? :^)

LOL!!

No, just watching really close for any future sign of nanners.

Dave

BB73
06-11-2010, 04:40 AM
I had the same "problem" with my Ice Cream and my Rajapuri after the winter (see: http://www.bananas.org/f310/smaller-thinner-leave-after-winter-11432.html) and I think it was a little suffering and recovering from winter. I had these two bananas outside in a pot on my balcony and had them covered only the coldest days when there was little freezing at night.
After the winter the leaves got smaller and then larger again. Now they're back to normal size and shape and everything is fine.
Maybe yours had a shock when you moved them outside and then showed these strange leaves. Just wait bit and they should get back to normal. I had about 3 - 6 "strange" leaves untill everything was normal.
And mine were not rootbound.

sandy0225
06-11-2010, 06:56 AM
If it's a really large sized one then it's probably getting ready to flower. If it's smaller, then you're just not making it happy anymore. Try playing some Jimmy Buffet to it...lol...
My ice cream did put out several progressively smaller leaves and then the flag and then the bloom.

BB73
06-11-2010, 07:11 AM
My Ice Cream and my Rajapuri are still small plants.
I received them last fall, so they shouldn't flower very soon, so it definitely can't be flag leaves.

I attached a quick pic of the Rajapuri taken with my phone. You can see the smaller and thinner leaves and - believe me - there have been bigger ones before:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=32694&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=32694&ppuser=5708)

DaveE
06-11-2010, 10:55 AM
Thanks Bernd and Sandy!

The Orinoco I am writing about is well over 7' tall p-stem height.

This could be a transplant issue, but the transition went well with this plant. It didn't loose any leaves, no real obvious signs of shock and it has been 3.5 months now.

I guess as in the case of most banana questions we will have to wait and see. LOL

Now, where did I but Jimmy Buffets Greatest Hits CD?

Dave

DaveE
07-07-2010, 08:23 AM
Just a quick update.

The plant has continued the trend with each new leaf ending up about 4 inches shorter than the last. The last leaf to open is down to 34" and the height is still terminal.

DaveE
07-07-2010, 04:52 PM
Flag leaf today! :woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33812&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33812&ppuser=6909)

Jananas Bananas
07-07-2010, 05:09 PM
YAY Dave! Keep those pictures coming!!! :woohoonaner:


~JaNan

Dean W.
07-07-2010, 05:49 PM
Way to go, Dave!!!:banana-computer:

sunfish
07-07-2010, 06:37 PM
:woohoonaner:

Abnshrek
07-07-2010, 07:39 PM
Its all good Dave :^):sumbrero::choochoo:

DaveE
07-07-2010, 10:26 PM
Its all good Dave :^):sumbrero::choochoo:

Get that Dwarf Orinoco of yours going Amigo, so we can have a dwarf vs standard taste test.

Dave

Abnshrek
07-07-2010, 10:43 PM
Get that Dwarf Orinoco of yours going Amigo, so we can have a Dwarf vs standard taste test. Dave

Sounds like a plan :^) I need to clip 2 pups off of it.. :^)

Bananaman88
07-08-2010, 07:40 AM
Congrats, Dave! I get fruit off of my Orinoco on a fairly regular basis. I don't know that I will this year due to our most recent winter, though I guess it's possible since my California Gold also flowered, but it didn't die back almost to the ground like the Orinoco did. Orinoco fruits taste pretty good in my opinion if you let them get fully ripe (they should yield a little when you squeeze them). They are pretty good for making tostones as well, though they won't be as large as if you'd bought a true plantain from the grocery stort. I haven't made any but I would assume that they would also make good banana chips if sliced thin or be good for dehydrating. I may try that next go-round.

DaveE
07-08-2010, 08:40 AM
Congrats, Dave! I get fruit off of my Orinoco on a fairly regular basis. I don't know that I will this year due to our most recent winter, though I guess it's possible since my California Gold also flowered, but it didn't die back almost to the ground like the Orinoco did. Orinoco fruits taste pretty good in my opinion if you let them get fully ripe (they should yield a little when you squeeze them). They are pretty good for making tostones as well, though they won't be as large as if you'd bought a true plantain from the grocery stort. I haven't made any but I would assume that they would also make good banana chips if sliced thin or be good for dehydrating. I may try that next go-round.

Thanks Brent! I can't wait to read your opinion on the taste of your CG.

Dave

Bananaman88
07-08-2010, 11:53 AM
Thanks Brent! I can't wait to read your opinion on the taste of your CG.

Dave

Yeah, well check back in early November! It's going to be a while.

DaveE
07-09-2010, 12:47 PM
Here it comes! :lurk:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=33860&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=33860&ppuser=6909)

Abnshrek
07-09-2010, 03:24 PM
Here it comes! :lurk:

You've been turning the crank on that bad boy, like a jack in the box haven't you.. :^) Looking very good Dave :^) :drum::sumbrero::2741:

DaveE
07-09-2010, 03:50 PM
You've been turning the crank on that bad boy, like a jack in the box haven't you.. :^) Looking very good Dave :^) :drum::sumbrero::2741:

Thanks Buddy!

Thanks to Hurricane Alex, the weather here has been perfect for bananas. Mid to high 80's, overcast ,humid and a fair amount of rain. All of my bananas have exploded with growth.

Dave

DaveE
07-15-2010, 10:46 AM
Last evening (07/14) I took a photo of the bud which seemed to have stalled for the last few days. Due to the lack of growth and the poor light in the photo I didn't post an update.

This morning I checked on it and WOW! Also check out the big Walking stick behind the bottom of the bud.

Yesterday
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34171&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34171&ppuser=6909)

This morning
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34172&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34172&ppuser=6909)

Abnshrek
07-15-2010, 11:11 AM
This morning I checked on it and WOW! Also check out the big Walking stick behind the bottom of the bud.

Lookin' Good Dave.. Nice walking stick too.. :^)

DaveE
07-15-2010, 02:00 PM
I took the last photo around 1030 and made the post at 1046.

Here is another photo from 1350 today. Use the bamboo brace to compare movement of the bud.


http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34183&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34183&ppuser=6909)

LilRaverBoi
07-15-2010, 10:46 PM
Awesome! So you did get a bloom afterall! Great news!

kaczercat
07-15-2010, 11:20 PM
looking good ! nice pics

Patty in Wisc
07-16-2010, 06:10 PM
Congrats Dave!!!! Isn't this exciting?! Can't wait to see how many hands & fingers you'll have :)

DaveE
07-19-2010, 09:38 PM
Update

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34501&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34501&ppuser=6909)

hammer
07-19-2010, 10:05 PM
Looking good very nice bloom there is no feeling like getting a bloom.:woohoonaner:

DaveE
07-20-2010, 12:20 PM
:lurk: :woohoonaner:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34519&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34519&ppuser=6909)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34517&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34517&ppuser=6909)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34518&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34518&ppuser=6909)

Abnshrek
07-20-2010, 12:25 PM
Looks like you have some luscious nanners :^) Looks like they are dripping with anticipation of you eating them :^) Great pics Amigo

DaveE
07-20-2010, 12:37 PM
Looks like you have some luscious nanners :^) Looks like they are dripping with anticipation of you eating them :^) Great pics Amigo

Thanks buddy, I hope they make it because I can't wait to try one.

Patty in Wisc
07-20-2010, 12:49 PM
Wow, that 1st hand opened so fast! Again, congrats & many more nanas to come :)

DaveE
07-20-2010, 01:48 PM
Wow, that 1st hand opened so fast! Again, congrats & many more nanas to come :)

Thanks Patty!

I was very surprised to see them this morning.

sunfish
07-20-2010, 02:49 PM
Looks great

Bob
07-20-2010, 03:00 PM
Congrats Dave!!!... Well done!:woohoonaner:

Dean W.
07-20-2010, 03:03 PM
Looks great, Dave! Best of Luck!:0519:

DaveE
07-20-2010, 07:11 PM
I can't believe it, the 2nd and 3rd hands are starting to open!
:woohoonaner:

harveyc
07-20-2010, 07:43 PM
Congrats, Dave. That flower has got to be the fastest moving ones I've seen posted on the org!

CValentine
07-20-2010, 07:52 PM
WOW DAVE!!!

SO AWESOME!!!
LOVE THE PICS!!! :-D ~Cheryl

DaveE
07-20-2010, 08:10 PM
The first picture was midmorning.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34519&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34519&ppuser=6909)

Here are a couple same day pm shots.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34537&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34537&ppuser=6909)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34536&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34536&ppuser=6909)

Jananas Bananas
07-21-2010, 07:49 AM
:woohoonaner: We in Central Texas are living vicariously through you right now Dave, until we have one of our own. So take lots of pictures and keep the reports coming!!!! Thank you Dave and GOOD JOB!!!!!

~JaNan

DaveE
07-21-2010, 08:06 AM
:woohoonaner: We in Central Texas are living vicariously through you right now Dave, until we have one of our own. So take lots of pictures and keep the reports coming!!!! Thank you Dave and GOOD JOB!!!!!

~JaNan

Thanks JaNan, will do!

cherokee_greg
07-21-2010, 09:19 AM
:woohoonaner: Great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep us posted on the great news !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good going

DaveE
07-21-2010, 05:02 PM
Todays update photo.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34562&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34562&ppuser=6909)

DaveE
07-26-2010, 07:49 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34845&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34845&ppuser=6909)

harveyc
07-27-2010, 12:04 AM
Looks like you're now into male flowers. How many fingers did you end up with?

DaveE
07-27-2010, 09:22 AM
Looks like you're now into male flowers. How many fingers did you end up with?

18 and one that looks like one of those transitional ones that is intermediate between male and female.

Patty in Wisc
07-27-2010, 08:45 PM
Congrats Dave!!!! My final copunt is 18 also!

DaveE
07-27-2010, 10:26 PM
Congrats Dave!!!! My final copunt is 18 also!

I saw the photo you posted today. They look awesome!!! :woohoonaner: