Flag leaf question
 

Can any one tell me what a flag leaf is and what happens
if u cut it off to put your tree away for winter?

Re: Flag leaf question
 

The flag is the last leaf to emerge before the flower bud comes out. It's very small in comparison to the regular leaves. Look at the lower left drawing for an example.

Re: Flag leaf question
 

If you already have a flag leaf, the flower will appear in a few days. If you dig it up at that time, you might as well put it in the trash becuase it will not flower again, and the fruit will be lost.

Re: Flag leaf question
 

How old does a plant need to be for a flag leaf ?

Re: Flag leaf question
 

That depends on climate. Maybe ten months minimum.

Re: Flag leaf question
 

I heard that the plant has to grow a minimum of leaves... like 33 -35 leaves before it flowers, which is about what mine grew. Well, maybe a couple more than that.
What's a flag? :):)

Re: Flag leaf question
 

I don't think there is a set number of leaves or time before a plant blooms. It varies widely depending on the variety of banana and the conditions it grows in. Things like water, drainage, hours of sunlight and intensity (clouds, angle of sun in sky, etc), fertilizer quality/quantity, soil nutrients, soil quality, etc will all affect a plant's health and alter how long it takes to bloom. As far as time goes, for someone with a plant growing in the ground and a warm climate, it may bloom in 10 months, but if you take an identical plant and grow it somewhere else or say, in a pot, it may take several years for it to bloom.

Basically, they bloom when they bloom...there isn't an accurate way to predict such an occurrence.

Re: Flag leaf question
 

I had heard, from a couple of different sources, basically the same thing as Patti mentioned. It would seem to me, that if a plant is growing under ideal conditions, it might be able to produce the required number of leaves in ten months whereas, if a plant is confined to a small pot, and is moved inside and outside every year, and only gets a few months of good sun, etc. each year, it may take a few years to produce that same number of leaves.

Re: Flag leaf question
 

I'm unaware of anyone ever posting pictures of a SR bloom. If yours indeed does flower, take as many pics as possible. It will be historic.

Re: Flag leaf question
 

Re: Flag leaf question
 

LOL...and as always, Gabe has the most accurate and best responses to all your banana dilemmas!