Could this really be happening?!
 

OK, I've been through this before.

Thought I saw a flag leaf, turned out to be a weird stunted leaf. Thought I saw another, Nope.

This year when I moved my biggest and oldest pot of plants out to the pool area, they all started sending out new leaves. The oldest "Mama" send out this "half leaf". I tried not to get excited. First leaf of summer outside, probably stunted. Later I saw another leaf come behind it and thought "See. Nothing."

I just went outside...and saw something I've never seen before. THIS!

IS IT? COULD IT BE? IN NEW YORK?! :woohoonaner:

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

it is congrats

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

Looks like it. Bravo! Wich variety is it?

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

Touchdown!

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

And they said it couldn't be done in New York! WOOHOO!

I actually have no idea what it is. This is the first Banana I ever owned. It was given to me by my mother in law from Texas as a pup, and they just called it "Plantain". Now it's a large container plant with multiple children. It was this plant that got me hooked on Bananas and growing my many others.

I'm hoping you guys can all help me finally identify it!

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

Congrats. Great timing as well! It will fill out for you during the summer heat. My guess, with it coming from Texas, probably Orinoco.

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

I've been trying for years, so at this point I don't care! They could be miniature, ornamental, inedible faux bananas and Ill still be a proud Papa. :p

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

Good job! you're hooked now for sure.

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

Even stranger is that this plant was whacked down last fall as I couldn't fit it in my house for the winter. So it's only about 5 feet tall, and it still bloomed! You can see how thick it used to be. The blooming plant is the one in the foreground, left of center.

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

I was going to separate all the plants this year because my pot is almost ready to split. I am so glad I didn't now, as it probably wouldn't have had enough leaves to sustain the bunch. Now it will get help from its children.

Next Question: Now that I have a bloom, what should I be doing to ensure it stays healthy and remains alive on the plant?! Water like crazy I assume? Fertilize? Some kind of prop support for the flower/bunch?

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

I'd support the flower for sure. And I wouldn't overfertilize either. Just a bit, regularly...

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

I agree with JP, you could support the bunch probably just by tying to the other stems in the pot. The bunch won't be very big but, that stem has a precarious lean to it. Water/fertilize regularly. She'll be hungry but won't be happy getting a huge blast of salt, so if you haven't fed yet this year, maybe just start with half strength amd work up to full strength. After the bunch is filled, you can seperate all the pups, and you'll have a bunch of really nice plants

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

Congrats! My pic is also an orinoco which did produce one year in CT. :nanadrink:

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

Looks Orinoco ish, mine started blooming today in Oklahoma.

Re: Could this really be happening?!
 

Congratulations! That's very exciting. I bet your local hummingbirds will be thrilled, too.