MediaHound

The Target near me has a few mislabeled nanners for sale.
The sticker says they are Dwarf Red, but they're clearly either Zebrina or Bordelon. Since I already have Zebrina, and I'm looking to get Bordelon (I like the fact that the Bordelon get taller), I might get one if its a Bordelon. They are pretty tall; they have thin, tall pseudostems. I didn't take with me any photograph unfortunately.
Those that have had experience with both, or just know, how would one tell them apart? Any difference on the midribs, petiols, wings, etc.?



Thanks!

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JoeS475

While I am far from being remotely an expert, I have 3 Bordelon pups in one pot (taken off the mother tree, positive ID) and one Zebrina (from Monrovia).

I've found as follows: Zebrina's leaves are broader, with more red on the top than Bordelon's. The underside is completely red. The Bordelon's leaves are narrower and longer (slightly), and there is much less red on the top side of the leaf, just a few splotches, vs. maybe 20% coverage on Zebrina. Also on my Bordelons, the red on the underside of the leaves does not extend all the way to the edge, there is a thin (1/4 inch), green border present.

I'm not sure on my plant terminology, so bear with me, but the outside surface of the part (arm?) which attaches the leaf to the pseudostem seems to be much greener on the Bordelon. On the Zebrina, it is less green, while the inside of this part is red in the centre, flanked by green, and then red again. My apologies since I realize I am making very little, if any sense at all!

Keep in mind my Bordelons are very young pups, and my Zebrina is four feet tall and I've never seen a small pup of this variety, so my help may be completely pointless!.

Anyhow, take a picture, we'd all love to see one! Maybe you should buy it anyway, what's one more banana?

Hope this helps you!

Regards,

~Joe

BTW: This is awesome ----->

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MediaHound

These had a lot of red on the top. That was mainly what I was wondering. They also seem longer and narrower, at first glance, but who knows.
Maybe I'll just grab one and find out later.

Thank you very much for your analysis. It is greatly appreciated, and yes you did make sense.
Here's Gabe's nifty diagram for future reference :


cheers

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

Zac in NC

I do love that diagram of Gabe's. It shows everything and it is very well drawn.

Zac

JoeS475

So the "arm" is actually the petiole! Lol, that is a great diagram, excellent info! I would dare say the banana in question is not a Bordelon since you say it has lots of red on top, but maybe its not Zebrina either. Its probably worth getting anyway!

Take care,

~Joe

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