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View Full Version : Anyone know what kind of banana plant this is?


brookie28
02-01-2015, 12:45 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57446 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57447&ppuser=20150)

I recently bought a new house and it has this beautiful banana plant. I have no idea what kind it is. Anyone know? The previous owners didn't know either, but they did say that it produces bananas. I live around Houston. I have not trimmed it back yet. All of the leaves are currently dried and brown, so it doesn't look this pretty at all right now. This photo was taken in October 2014. My other question is, when do I trim it and how much do I trim it back? Do I cut all stalks down to 3-4 ft.? I want it to produce this spring and come back just as big.

Thank you!

sunfish
02-01-2015, 01:28 PM
Info: General Growing Information - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/wiki/Info:_General_Growing_Information)

All articles - Bananas Wiki (http://www.bananas.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Allpages)

siege2050
02-01-2015, 06:40 PM
Looks Orinoco ish from a distance but can't tell. Try to post pics of the stem up close, the Petioles (leaf stem) to see if they are open or closed, and note if its powdery or not under the leaves, and on stem, but definite ID probably requires a bloom as lots of Banana cultivars are similar. Orinoco is popular there I think so makes it likely. I just remove old leaves and and dried up stem sheaths as necessary on mine, but here I have to dig and store them under my house in winter. As far as if the stem will survive winter there and not die back to the ground I am not sure, somebody else here can answer that one better than me.

brookie28
02-01-2015, 07:15 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57449&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57449)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=57450&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57450)

The pseudostem is about 8 Ft. tall, with the leaves extending out to at least 15+ feet.
When I've cut the dead leaves off, the stems are dripping in water. There is no powder of any kind. I just didn't know if I should cut it back or not before spring comes. It's still pretty green at the through out the base.

siege2050
02-01-2015, 07:55 PM
My bad lol, it being winter and in the ground, there won't be any leaves, the stem looks very alive I would not cut it personally.

siege2050
02-01-2015, 07:58 PM
I can see powder on the base of the cut petioles, looks like my Orinoco. Here is a pic of my Orinoco Pstem before darkening from cold damage, similar to your top photo.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56983 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56982)

Richard
02-02-2015, 02:21 AM
From the few pictures you've posted, there are many possiblities as to variety. The banana is a bulb (ok, really a corm). Underground there is a tuber. It will propagate more and more leaves will be sprouted above ground. Your climate is slightly colder than mine but I feel this guide I wrote awhile back could be of help: Guide To Growing Fruiting Bananas In Temperate Climates (http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/guide-fruiting-banana.html)

a.hulva@coxinet.net
02-02-2015, 10:50 PM
My bad lol, it being winter and in the ground, there won't be any leaves, the stem looks very alive I would not cut it personally.
I agree with Siege. Being in Houston I would just leave it be for at least a month. Wish we had your weather!

brookie28
03-07-2015, 10:32 AM
Thank you! They are slowly starting to come out. I'm hoping that they make it. This weather has been crazy, we had a 75 degree day and then the temperature dropped that next morning to 28 degrees!

a.hulva@coxinet.net
03-08-2015, 05:39 PM
Thank you! They are slowly starting to come out. I'm hoping that they make it. This weather has been crazy, we had a 75 degree day and then the temperature dropped that next morning to 28 degrees! You should be seeing a big shot of new growth soon and it will keep going all summer.
Regards,

crazy banana
03-08-2015, 10:55 PM
You can trim off the cold damaged brown leaves but do not touch the p-stem if it does not show mushy spots. Watch for a new cigar leaf pushing out of the top.

brookie28
03-08-2015, 11:16 PM
I'm hoping that they still do well this year. Last week it got down to 28 degrees and this weekend I looked at them and the new growth looks like it is turning brown. Hopefully it will continue to warm up and they survive. I've already had 2 of the smaller ones turn mushy.

crazy banana
03-08-2015, 11:26 PM
The smaller ones are probably easier to protect. I usually use frost cloth to do so. Mushy parts need to be trimmed.
If the newly emerging cigar leaf got damaged by cold temperatures you may have to carefully perform some "surgery" if new healthy green growth does not push through the brown damaged part.

a.hulva@coxinet.net
03-09-2015, 03:36 PM
I'm hoping that they still do well this year. Last week it got down to 28 degrees and this weekend I looked at them and the new growth looks like it is turning brown. Hopefully it will continue to warm up and they survive. I've already had 2 of the smaller ones turn mushy.

If the stem is not too tall and it is going to get below 32, I have just turned a large pot upside down and placed over the plant. In your area it usually doesn't stay below 32 for more than a day. Crazy is the expert. I know just enough to be dangerous.
All the best,