Log in

View Full Version : Seeking for help to ID this dwarf variety


crazy banana
11-09-2014, 07:02 PM
I have received this dwarf variety from a fellow "CA Rare Fruit Grower" member who did not remember the ID. I am suspecting Dwarf Brazilian or Raja Puri, but would rather get some input here. Thank you.

Photo of the entire plant/mat:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56845&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56845&ppuser=13376)

Photo of the petiole (red outlined):
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56844&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56844&ppuser=13376)

Photo of the inflorescence:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56841&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56841&ppuser=13376)

Photo of the flowers:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56842&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56842&ppuser=13376)

Photos of the first banana fruits:
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56843&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56843&ppuser=13376)

Fruit bunch photo from Nov 9 2014 (first hand appeared on Aug 24 2014):
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57028&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57028&ppuser=13376)

venturabananas
11-10-2014, 01:27 AM
Yes, I would agree that it is likely one of those two. Narrowing it down to just one of those two is hard, because they are very similar. Your photos don't show anything that would clearly distinguish them. The size of the bud when it first emerges is noticeably larger on Rajapuri, to the point where I'm always astonished at how large it is for such a short plant. If you didn't have that reaction, then it is probably Dwarf Brazilian. Also, at least in my yard, Rajapuri is very short, 7' or less. DB can be small in the "plant crop" cycle (e.g., 6') but tends to be more in the 8-9' range after that.

crazy banana
11-10-2014, 02:15 AM
Banana Gallery - Dwarf Brazilian? (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57029&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=13376)

Posting from my tablet that does not allow me to copy and paste the photo directly.
Thank you very much venturabananas. It is the first time that this mat is fruiting for me, so future bunches and fruiting height will probably lead to better conclusions .�� I was embarrassed to post the additional photo of the inflorescence because it was quite small at the beginning, but now has 100+ edible sized bananas, so I guess it could definitely be another indicator for Dwarf Brazilian.

venturabananas
11-10-2014, 11:23 AM
Yes, I agree that the evidence points towards Dwarf Brazilian. Rajapuri also tends to have less tightly packed and less evenly aligned fingers, but that isn't a trait that is always obvious to me.