Drooping lower leaves--normal?
 

I live in north Florida and I've noticed in the past month or two that a lot of the plants in several different mats (different species of bananas) have drooped leaves on the lower areas of the stalks. I don't just mean drooping, I am talking about a structural failure right where the leaf attaches to the stalk. (I call it a stalk, I refuse to call it a pseudostem. I just can't do it. It's a STALK dammit!)

Anyway . . .

I am wondering if this is normal, or it's a sign of too much rain and heat (it's been real hot & humid & rainy).

The leaves look nice and healthy, then all of the sudden there's another one, hanging straight down, like it was too heavy and the base of the leaf couldn't handle it and just pooped out.

Thoughts & comments appreciated.

Re: Drooping lower leaves--normal?
 

Happens a lot with my ice cream and occasionally with my cuban red when the wind is high. Been very hot and humid here too - guess they are growing too fast!

Cassie

Re: Drooping lower leaves--normal?
 

Sounds completely normal to me. I believe it's from the rapid expansion in the diameter of the "stalk". Try to leave them on till they completely fall or turn yellow. Cutting them prematurelly takes from the plant,

Re: Drooping lower leaves--normal?
 

NORMAL!...if they are still green,leave them alone.

Re: Drooping lower leaves--normal?
 

Thanks all. Naturally, up until now I have been cutting them off. Then I started to wonder . . . maybe that's natural, and all part of the process. And unless I'm imagining it, as soon as I'd cut them off, others above would follow suit. Like maybe the plant NEEDED this to happen.

I'll leave them on.

I BOW TO THE GREAT BANANA SPIRITS!