'California Gold' About to Bloom

Bananaman88 · 06-13-2010, 07:05 PM

I believe that my California Gold is about to bloom. I got it from a member here last spring, so this is it's second growing season. It has about 3', maybe slightly more, of pstem height before the lowest leaf. I have been noticing each leaf get slightly smaller and their orientation stays more and more upright with each progressive leaf. Hopefully I'll be seeing the bud emerge before long. Here's a few photos:

Close up of leaf.

Cal. Gold with me for scale (I'm 5' 10").

Cal. Gold on left, Ice Cream on right, for size comparison.

Here is a picture taken today (6-16-10) of the flag leaf and emerging bud.

These two pics taken today, 6-24-10)

39" from the base to the lowest leaf.

These last two photos of fruit taken 7-7-10. Total finger count is 23, pretty disappointed that it didn't have more but I was told to expect that for it's first bunch. Hopefully it will fruit again next year and have more fruit. There is already a pup that is tall than the mother plant.

Here is a shot of the fruit as of today (Sept. 20, 2010) Shouldn't have much longer to go!

Harvested today (Nov. 1, 2010). Fruit was first observed on either June 25 or 26, so it has been just slightly over 4 months. Yes, they are delicious!!!

Abnshrek · 06-13-2010, 08:09 PM

Congrat's Brent that's squared away. :^)

Looks healthy as a horse :^)

Dean W. · 06-13-2010, 08:25 PM

Congrats Brent!

LilRaverBoi · 06-13-2010, 09:10 PM

Very nice! Keep us informed on the progress!

Caloosamusa · 06-14-2010, 05:11 AM

Congratulations Brent!! May it produce well for you!!!

Jack Daw · 06-14-2010, 06:02 AM

Looking good!

Dalmatiansoap · 06-14-2010, 06:06 AM

Healthy plants. Love that labels.

cherokee_greg · 06-14-2010, 09:14 AM

Very nice plants. Good for you keep us posted. Thanks

Bob · 06-14-2010, 04:24 PM

Very cool Brent!

Hope you get a big bunch!

Tropicman · 06-14-2010, 08:05 PM

Was it in the ground all winter?
If so did all the leaves stay green?
Or is that all new growth this year?
You had quite some cold weather and snow storm this winter,just wondering how it held up!
Don

DaveE · 06-14-2010, 09:37 PM

Awesome, hoping you get a great big bunch. Please keep us updated!!

Bananaman88 · 06-15-2010, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropicman

Was it in the ground all winter?
If so did all the leaves stay green?
Or is that all new growth this year?
You had quite some cold weather and snow storm this winter,just wondering how it held up!
Don

Yes, it was in the ground all winter and we got down to around 22 or so a couple of times for several hours. I did have it wrapped with several layers of freeze cloth, however, and I'm sure that helped tremedously. Same treatment for the Ice Cream in one of the photos. I always lose all of the leaves on my bananas; it just gets too cold here in the winter. I focus on saving as much of the pstem as possible and the leaves just have to regrow.

Dean W. · 06-15-2010, 07:46 AM

Brent, where do you get this 'freeze cloth.'

cherokee_greg · 06-15-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dalmatiansoap

Healthy plants. Love that labels.

I know the labels are cool too gotta do that.

Bananaman88 · 06-15-2010, 11:46 AM

Dean,

You should be able to get it at some of your larger nurseries. It comes in varying thicknesses and helps to provide a few degrees of frost protection.

Bananaman88 · 06-16-2010, 09:19 PM

I have added a photo of the flag leaf and bud of my California Gold in my original post. See top of page.

Abnshrek · 06-16-2010, 09:22 PM

Thar she blow's :^) Hope you get a bunch of fruit Brent :^)

DaveE · 06-16-2010, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bananaman88

I have added a photo of the flag leaf and bud of my California Gold in my original post. See top of page.

Want Them All · 06-16-2010, 11:44 PM

Looking good! I noticed the leaves are relatively intact, your area must not get a lot of wind. My leaves are all tattered/

Bananaman88 · 06-17-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want Them All

Looking good! I noticed the leaves are relatively intact, your area must not get a lot of wind. My leaves are all tattered/

Actually, we do get quite a lot of wind; however, most of the dwarf types tend to have a bit stouter leaves. Also, with their leaves being shorter, they don't catch and flap in the wind as much as your taller varieties so they don't tatter as badly. If you'll look at the photo that also shows my 'Ice Cream' banana you'll notice quite a bit of leaf shredding on that plant.

06-13-2010, 07:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 206,264 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	'California Gold' About to Bloom I believe that my California Gold is about to bloom. I got it from a member here last spring, so this is it's second growing season. It has about 3', maybe slightly more, of pstem height before the lowest leaf. I have been noticing each leaf get slightly smaller and their orientation stays more and more upright with each progressive leaf. Hopefully I'll be seeing the bud emerge before long. Here's a few photos: Close up of leaf. Cal. Gold with me for scale (I'm 5' 10"). Cal. Gold on left, Ice Cream on right, for size comparison. Here is a picture taken today (6-16-10) of the flag leaf and emerging bud. These two pics taken today, 6-24-10) 39" from the base to the lowest leaf. These last two photos of fruit taken 7-7-10. Total finger count is 23, pretty disappointed that it didn't have more but I was told to expect that for it's first bunch. Hopefully it will fruit again next year and have more fruit. There is already a pup that is tall than the mother plant. Here is a shot of the fruit as of today (Sept. 20, 2010) Shouldn't have much longer to go! Harvested today (Nov. 1, 2010). Fruit was first observed on either June 25 or 26, so it has been just slightly over 4 months. Yes, they are delicious!!! Last edited by Bananaman88 : 11-01-2010 at 08:17 PM. Reason: To update photos

06-13-2010, 08:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,483 BananaBucks : 160,397 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,444 Times Was Thanked 16,427 Times in 5,230 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,314 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Congrat's Brent that's squared away. :^) Looks healthy as a horse :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

06-13-2010, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 222,204 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Congrats Brent! __________________

06-13-2010, 09:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,935 BananaBucks : 103,579 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,238 Times in 1,242 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Very nice! Keep us informed on the progress! __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

06-14-2010, 05:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Caloosamusa Caloosamusa's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,578 BananaBucks : 27,200 Feedback: 1 / 67% Said "Thanks" 3,829 Times Was Thanked 1,555 Times in 674 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 334 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Congratulations Brent!! May it produce well for you!!!

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06-14-2010, 06:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jack Daw I think with my banana ;) Jack Daw's Photo Gallery Location: BA, SK, CEU Find me on the map! Zone: Dfa (Köppen-geiger) <-> 7b/8a? (USDA) Name: Jack Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3,525 BananaBucks : 200,839 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,771 Times Was Thanked 2,457 Times in 1,353 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 383 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Looking good! __________________ Thnx to Marcel, Ante, Dr. Chiranjit Parmar and *Francesco* for the plants I've received. Zeitgeist - Corporatocracy 101 (~2hrs) Zeitgeist - Moving Forward (~2.5hrs)

06-14-2010, 06:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dalmatiansoap Let there be light Dalmatiansoap's Photo Gallery Location: Makarska, Croatia Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Ante Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 9,137 BananaBucks : 578,671 Feedback: 10 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,487 Times Was Thanked 8,340 Times in 3,013 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 714 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Healthy plants. Love that labels. __________________ https://abnb.me/AXJty518xib

06-14-2010, 09:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
cherokee_greg Love those bananas cherokee_greg's Photo Gallery Location: Fresno,CA Find me on the map! Zone: zone 9 Name: Greg Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 4,357 BananaBucks : 274,938 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 8,066 Times Was Thanked 3,945 Times in 1,664 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 335 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Very nice plants. Good for you keep us posted. Thanks __________________ Greg zone 9 Fresno,CA http://gardenjot.com/garden/view/1980/Gregs-Banana-Farm

06-14-2010, 04:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bob Orang Puteh Bob's Photo Gallery Location: Morris plains N.J. Find me on the map! Zone: 6a Name: bob Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,527 BananaBucks : 196,590 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 9,531 Times Was Thanked 4,054 Times in 1,692 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 565 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Very cool Brent! Hope you get a big bunch! __________________

06-14-2010, 08:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tropicman Junior Member Tropicman's Photo Gallery Location: Wichita,Ks Find me on the map! Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 147 BananaBucks : 35,520 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 131 Times Was Thanked 220 Times in 66 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Was it in the ground all winter? If so did all the leaves stay green? Or is that all new growth this year? You had quite some cold weather and snow storm this winter,just wondering how it held up! Don

06-14-2010, 09:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
DaveE DaveE's Photo Gallery Location: San Antonio, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 8 b Name: Dave Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 409 BananaBucks : 59,998 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,126 Times Was Thanked 569 Times in 192 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 54 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Awesome, hoping you get a great big bunch. Please keep us updated!! __________________

06-15-2010, 07:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 222,204 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Brent, where do you get this 'freeze cloth.' __________________

06-15-2010, 11:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 206,264 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Dean, You should be able to get it at some of your larger nurseries. It comes in varying thicknesses and helps to provide a few degrees of frost protection.

06-16-2010, 09:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 206,264 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom I have added a photo of the flag leaf and bud of my California Gold in my original post. See top of page.

06-16-2010, 09:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,483 BananaBucks : 160,397 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,444 Times Was Thanked 16,427 Times in 5,230 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,314 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Thar she blow's :^) Hope you get a bunch of fruit Brent :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

06-16-2010, 11:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
Want Them All Want Them All's Photo Gallery Location: Central California, USA Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 553 BananaBucks : 442,607 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 333 Times in 140 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: 'California Gold' About to Bloom Looking good! I noticed the leaves are relatively intact, your area must not get a lot of wind. My leaves are all tattered/ __________________

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