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Vette-kid
10-07-2017, 06:59 AM
This is my first year growing bananas and I have several varieties going. Among them is a variegated Florida. For the last few months they have been putting up a new leaf every 3 or 4 days. About a week ago the Florida started pushing a new leaf and so far out is only about 6 or 8 inches out. Why the sudden slow down? It had been a bit cooler, but still upper 80s/low 90s and sunny. No change in watering or anything. Any ideas?

edwmax
10-07-2017, 07:40 AM
12 hours per day (or nighttime) cool temperatures, cut growing rate in half. Cut back on watering to those plants. ... Make a note of which of your varieties are still going Strong and which have slowed down. The plants with slower growing rates are warmer USDA zone plants.

Vette-kid
10-07-2017, 07:47 AM
12 hours per day (or nighttime) cool temperatures, cut growing rate in half. Cut back on watering to those plants. ... Make a note of which of your varieties are still going Strong and which have slowed down. The plants with slower growing rates are warmer USDA zone plants.

Thanks, good info. It has been pretty cool at night. The Florida is the only one to slow so much. The others are California gold, dwarf Orinoco, ice Cream, dwarf Cavendish and super d cav.

I'm a little concerned now because the Florida hasn't given pups yet and I'd like to pot one just in case we have a harsh winter (rare, but in not sure just how hardy this variety willbe, the others should be fine).

edwmax
10-07-2017, 09:52 AM
Thanks, good info. It has been pretty cool at night. The Florida is the only one to slow so much. The others are California gold, dwarf Orinoco, ice Cream, dwarf Cavendish and super d cav.

I'm a little concerned now because the Florida hasn't given pups yet and I'd like to pot one just in case we have a harsh winter (rare, but in not sure just how hardy this variety willbe, the others should be fine).

Thanks for your report on the Florida nana growing in zone 8a. It appears the plant is a zone 10 plant.

Vette-kid
10-07-2017, 10:41 AM
Thanks for your report on the Florida nana growing in zone 8a. It appears the plant is a zone 10 plant.

Well, to quote a book. .."winter is coming! " we are pretty mild here, but if it is only zone 10 hardy I may be in trouble. We Are 8b, border line 9a.

edwmax
10-07-2017, 01:21 PM
If there are no pups, then it may be worth moving inside before the first frost. I wanted to acquire a Florida, but struck it off my list since it doesn't seem to be suited for 8b/9a. I believe that another forum member was reporting poor growth for their Florida in 9a.

Vette-kid
10-07-2017, 05:53 PM
Mine is growing fine so far. I got a large start and it went in ground in may, kind of late. Right now its about 8ft, so inside is not an option. I'll try to get a pic after the storm goes through if its not damaged.

Tytaylor77
10-08-2017, 03:24 AM
Mine is growing fine so far. I got a large start and it went in ground in may, kind of late. Right now its about 8ft, so inside is not an option. I'll try to get a pic after the storm goes through if its not damaged.

8 foot of pstem and no pups on your Florida!!! Wow mine have had so many pups. One had 7 at once! My tallest Florida pstem is 6-7’ slow and sensitive plant for me! About average for variegated Musa. Go with a variegated dwarf namwa or TaNee! They are the best growers. The worst one I grow is the namwa mailong!! Horriable. Rest are in the middle. A lot of them are slow to get going. You gotta think with the white they are “half plants”. I’ve never lost one so far! So I can’t really complain. To me nothing is more beautiful than a variegated Musa!

edwmax
10-08-2017, 07:08 AM
8 foot of pstem and no pups on your Florida!!! Wow mine have had so many pups. One had 7 at once! My tallest Florida pstem is 6-7’ slow and sensitive plant for me! About average for variegated Musa. Go with a variegated dwarf namwa or TaNee! They are the best growers. The worst one I grow is the namwa mailong!! Horriable. Rest are in the middle. A lot of them are slow to get going. You gotta think with the white they are “half plants”. I’ve never lost one so far! So I can’t really complain. To me nothing is more beautiful than a variegated Musa!

Thanks Ty for your report on the Florida confirming the slow growth in zone 8a. ... This was what I summarized from other forum member comments.

Vette-kid
10-08-2017, 07:43 AM
Thanks ty. My d Orinoco and cali gold have a ton of pups, even the ice cream has one (it was actually a late plant as well). They are all in the same area with the same watering and fertalizing routine so it's strange.