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DoctorSteve
07-15-2010, 01:16 PM
I put my Goldfinger out yesterday to get it acclimated, it has been a house banana so far.

Since yesterday it's leaves folded a little. I have seen this on other bananas but I don't know the cause. Its leaves much more open when it was inside.

So I was just wondering what causes the leaves to do this?
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=34177&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=34177&ppuser=7090)

Oh and in case anyone asks, no it is not potted in sand that is a 3/8"-1/2" layer of sand on top to keep the gnats at bay. My Brother suggested it to me and it seems to work well. I think it would have done better if it was a little thicker though.

Abnshrek
07-15-2010, 01:29 PM
If it was an indoor plant like you say the leaves aren't as rigid or use to winds like ones that have to deal with wind all the time. When folks winterize banana's inside some put a fan on them to keep them use to dealing with environmental factors. It strengthens the P-stem as well. :^)

DoctorSteve
07-15-2010, 01:48 PM
Oh ok, yeah we do get a little wind here. It is weird its starts a little after noon and gets stronger a few hors later. By 7:00 or 8:00 it is gone. I think heat build on the hills during the day causing the wind. The wind is usually 7-15 mile per hour. I tried to shelter it a little.

Thanks for the help, I hope this will help others as well.

sunfish
07-15-2010, 03:11 PM
The folded leaves are from the heat. Check it out in early morning or evening they should be wide open

DoctorSteve
07-15-2010, 05:36 PM
I will check it out tonight. That picture was around 9:30am I noticed it when I got up. It was warm this morning but not hot. I moved it just a little so it wouldn't get as much direct sunlight so maybe that will help.

Kostas
07-15-2010, 05:59 PM
The folding of the leafs is a mechanism to reduce evaporation and transiration from the leafs so as to keep the water needs of the leaf in levels that can be satisfied from the roots and not let the leaf dry out/burn. It also reduces the leaf surface exposed to direct sun during the high heat conditions and thus helping with sunburn too although it doesnt totally prevent it in non acclimated leas.
Its also this way i like banana leafs the most!

DoctorSteve
07-15-2010, 10:47 PM
It does look more open today, perhaps it was because of the sun, it did get less today. Though it was not as wind either, but it was hotter.


Kostas I actually like them open. I like the idea of large leaves creating a canopy. To each their own. I guess I will have to find out which banana plants tend to have open leaves.