Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem?

Darkman · 03-05-2012, 10:54 PM

I think I have a mat that may support a stalk that is fruiting now. The last frost took the leaves just as the fruit stalk was just coming out. It has now pushed out and is setting hands that look normal. Can the mat feed this fruiting stalk on a leafless P-stem?

This will be a great test to see if a stalk with no leaves and only a fruiting stalk can take nourishment from the mat.

Kostas · 03-06-2012, 10:22 AM

It does can and will mature the bunch,i have seen that locally. I dont know if it can take nourishment from the younger stems but i would think that a mature corm has enough energy to mature a small bunch on its own,even without leafs or support from the mat. But,the interconnected nature of a banana mat suggests there is some nutrient and water flow between the corms and that resources are shared.

Nicolas Naranja · 03-06-2012, 10:40 AM

My experience is that you need at least 1 leaf per hand to fill out fruit. If the fruit is mostly full and leafless the fruit will eventually ripen.

bananimal · 03-06-2012, 04:45 PM

My experience is you need 5 to 10 leaves to fill in fingers. And for the minimum -- the 5 leaves need to be mostly complete - not burned up. Shredded is ok.

GoAngels · 03-06-2012, 05:34 PM

I have had fruit continue to fully develop well after a p stem has lost all its leaves.

sunfish · 03-06-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoAngels

I have had fruit continue to fully develop well after a p stem has lost all its leaves.

Same here

Darkman · 03-06-2012, 08:49 PM

Nicolas and Bananimal,

You didn't specify but I assume you mean leaves on other P-stems. Right?

Go Angels and Sunfish,

Thanks. That is encouraging. I'll keep updating.

island cassie · 03-09-2012, 01:58 PM

I'm in a similar situation here with my Manzano! A tropical storm blew through here with no warning and bent the pstem over with a good sized bunch of fruit. All the leaves browned and shrivelled but I just left the whole thing alone to see what happened - didn't try to straighten it as it was way past that. Now a month later, the fruit are plumping up slowly and looking surprisingly good under the circs, and they still have at least 2 months to go (can't quite remember how long). There is one good sized pup which is possibly helping but the pstem is mashed where it bent over, and I am quite surprised how well it is doing.

Darkman · 03-09-2012, 03:22 PM

Island Cassie,

That is especially encouraging to hear. Mine just might make it. Everything is still looking good.

bananimal · 03-09-2012, 07:58 PM

Dkman------ I mean leaf count on the main stem. Been growing new plantings for so long (none or few pups) with the winter killing off the main -- this year is different.

Darkman · 03-09-2012, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bananimal

Dkman------ I mean leaf count on the main stem. Been growing new plantings for so long (none or few pups) with the winter killing off the main -- this year is different.

My main stem will not produce anymore leaves since it has set fruit. Hopefully the pups with leaves will be able to nourish it. Some think it will. I hope so. Good luck with your pups.

island cassie · 03-12-2012, 04:39 PM

Darkman - today I saw that the top hand was turning yellow - yesterday there was no change!! the fingers are thin and a bit angular which is what I would expect under the circs - but better than I expected so I will let you know what they taste like shortly! Good luck with your bunch!

mushtaq86 · 03-12-2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island cassie

Darkman - today I saw that the top hand was turning yellow - yesterday there was no change!! the fingers are thin and a bit angular which is what I would expect under the circs - but better than I expected so I will let you know what they taste like shortly! Good luck with your bunch!

Keep us updated carol

island cassie · 03-12-2012, 06:16 PM

Will do Mushtaq - good to talk to you again!

Darkman · 03-12-2012, 07:22 PM

Sweeeet! Carol

AND hopefully the bananas will be too.

Got any Pictures?

island cassie · 03-14-2012, 10:34 AM

OK Darkman - here they are! I ate some of the ripe ones for breakfast as they are very sweet.

oakshadows · 03-14-2012, 01:57 PM

Sure is a lot of bananas, and they look just you said they tasted. We might have to move farther south since we lover bananas. The weather is very nice here now and all of the plants are putting out leaves. Many are in pots and have to get put in the ground. Oh my aching back. Good luck and thanks.

Bananaman88 · 03-14-2012, 02:36 PM

I'm testing this theory with my 'Raja Puri'. Lost all the leaves to frost, then the darn thing produced its bud and has been setting fruit all throughout our mild winter. We had only a couple nights of frost (just enough for me to lose all my banana leaves) and the rest of the winter has been way above normal with no more frosts. We'll see how it does.

island cassie · 03-15-2012, 09:02 AM

Good luck with that - after a mild winter it might just work.

harveyc · 03-15-2012, 11:25 AM

I've got one in the same situation, just flowering now. We'll see....

03-05-2012, 10:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 227,611 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? I think I have a mat that may support a stalk that is fruiting now. The last frost took the leaves just as the fruit stalk was just coming out. It has now pushed out and is setting hands that look normal. Can the mat feed this fruiting stalk on a leafless P-stem? This will be a great test to see if a stalk with no leaves and only a fruiting stalk can take nourishment from the mat. __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

03-06-2012, 10:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kostas Kostas's Photo Gallery Location: Glyfada,Greece Zone: 10a Name: Konstantinos Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 808 BananaBucks : 240,432 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,141 Times Was Thanked 1,073 Times in 472 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? It does can and will mature the bunch,i have seen that locally. I dont know if it can take nourishment from the younger stems but i would think that a mature corm has enough energy to mature a small bunch on its own,even without leafs or support from the mat. But,the interconnected nature of a banana mat suggests there is some nutrient and water flow between the corms and that resources are shared. __________________ ''To try,is to risk failure......To not try,is to guarantee it''

03-06-2012, 10:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja 's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 516,446 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,665 Times in 1,563 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? My experience is that you need at least 1 leaf per hand to fill out fruit. If the fruit is mostly full and leafless the fruit will eventually ripen. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

03-06-2012, 04:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
bananimal Member bananimal's Photo Gallery Location: Port St Lucie, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: 10a Name: Dan Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,512 BananaBucks : 622,623 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,688 Times Was Thanked 4,979 Times in 1,509 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? My experience is you need 5 to 10 leaves to fill in fingers. And for the minimum -- the 5 leaves need to be mostly complete - not burned up. Shredded is ok.

03-06-2012, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
GoAngels GoAngels's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: 9b/10a Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 127 BananaBucks : 48,115 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 72 Times Was Thanked 161 Times in 51 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,382 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? I have had fruit continue to fully develop well after a p stem has lost all its leaves. __________________

Members currently in the chatroom: 0
	The most chatters online in one day was 17, 09-06-2009. No one is currently using the chat.

03-06-2012, 08:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 227,611 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? Nicolas and Bananimal, You didn't specify but I assume you mean leaves on other P-stems. Right? Go Angels and Sunfish, Thanks. That is encouraging. I'll keep updating. __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

03-09-2012, 01:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 440,461 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? I'm in a similar situation here with my Manzano! A tropical storm blew through here with no warning and bent the pstem over with a good sized bunch of fruit. All the leaves browned and shrivelled but I just left the whole thing alone to see what happened - didn't try to straighten it as it was way past that. Now a month later, the fruit are plumping up slowly and looking surprisingly good under the circs, and they still have at least 2 months to go (can't quite remember how long). There is one good sized pup which is possibly helping but the pstem is mashed where it bent over, and I am quite surprised how well it is doing.

03-09-2012, 03:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 227,611 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? Island Cassie, That is especially encouraging to hear. Mine just might make it. Everything is still looking good. __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

03-09-2012, 07:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
bananimal Member bananimal's Photo Gallery Location: Port St Lucie, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: 10a Name: Dan Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,512 BananaBucks : 622,623 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,688 Times Was Thanked 4,979 Times in 1,509 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? Dkman------ I mean leaf count on the main stem. Been growing new plantings for so long (none or few pups) with the winter killing off the main -- this year is different.

03-12-2012, 04:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 440,461 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? Darkman - today I saw that the top hand was turning yellow - yesterday there was no change!! the fingers are thin and a bit angular which is what I would expect under the circs - but better than I expected so I will let you know what they taste like shortly! Good luck with your bunch!

03-12-2012, 06:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 440,461 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? Will do Mushtaq - good to talk to you again!

03-12-2012, 07:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 227,611 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? Sweeeet! Carol AND hopefully the bananas will be too. Got any Pictures? __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

03-14-2012, 10:34 AM	#16 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 440,461 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? OK Darkman - here they are! I ate some of the ripe ones for breakfast as they are very sweet.

03-14-2012, 01:57 PM	#17 (permalink)
oakshadows oakshadows's Photo Gallery Location: Dunnellon, Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Noah Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,064 BananaBucks : 41,982 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,207 Times Was Thanked 847 Times in 514 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? Sure is a lot of bananas, and they look just you said they tasted. We might have to move farther south since we lover bananas. The weather is very nice here now and all of the plants are putting out leaves. Many are in pots and have to get put in the ground. Oh my aching back. Good luck and thanks. __________________ "What this country needs is dirtier fingernails and cleaner minds."

03-14-2012, 02:36 PM	#18 (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 : 255,975 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,263 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? I'm testing this theory with my 'Raja Puri'. Lost all the leaves to frost, then the darn thing produced its bud and has been setting fruit all throughout our mild winter. We had only a couple nights of frost (just enough for me to lose all my banana leaves) and the rest of the winter has been way above normal with no more frosts. We'll see how it does.

03-15-2012, 09:02 AM	#19 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 440,461 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? Good luck with that - after a mild winter it might just work.

03-15-2012, 11:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,119 BananaBucks : 336,591 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,025 Times Was Thanked 4,460 Times in 1,896 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: Can fruit mature without leaves on the P-stem? I've got one in the same situation, just flowering now. We'll see.... __________________

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Firm stem, no leaves	sbl	Main Banana Discussion	7	05-05-2010 07:19 PM
Healthy stem, brown leaves	Dennylouhalfyard@yahoo.ca	Banana Plant Health And Maintenance Topics	7	11-25-2009 07:01 AM
Rot in stem/ wilting leaves	esbn	Main Banana Discussion	1	05-21-2008 09:16 PM
Leaves Spinning on P-Stem	jpfloors	Main Banana Discussion	3	04-04-2008 12:49 PM
New leaves growing before old ones mature	Nana Nut	Main Banana Discussion	5	06-21-2007 03:35 PM