Drooping lower leaves--normal?

Oblofusc · 07-31-2008, 09:05 PM

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.

island cassie · 07-31-2008, 09:48 PM

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

natedogg1026 · 07-31-2008, 10:28 PM

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,

Greenie · 07-31-2008, 10:38 PM

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

Oblofusc · 08-01-2008, 07:56 PM

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!

07-31-2008, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Oblofusc Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 19 BananaBucks : 1,311 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 4 Posts Welcomes: 0	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.

07-31-2008, 09:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
island cassie Senior Member 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: 1,595 BananaBucks : 6,337 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 484 Thanked 286 Times in 185 Posts Welcomes: 164	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

07-31-2008, 10:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 616 BananaBucks : 8,347 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 3	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, __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

07-31-2008, 10:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
Greenie Senior Member Greenie's Photo Gallery Location: Miami,FL. Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 641 BananaBucks : 5,527 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 154 Times in 61 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Drooping lower leaves--normal? NORMAL!...if they are still green,leave them alone.

08-01-2008, 07:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
Oblofusc Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 19 BananaBucks : 1,311 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 0 Thanked 15 Times in 4 Posts Welcomes: 0	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!

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