the flying dutchman

It is said that before flowering the leaves become significant smaller.
About how many leaves do we talk here in general.
Further could there be a other reason for this for instance faster growing suckers or a fertilizing problem?

Ron

Gabe15

In standard leaf measuring, the one that is always measured is called the "4th last leaf", this is the normally the largest leaf the plant will make. After that, there are normally 3 more, generally termed the "3/4 leaf", "1/2 leaf" and then the "flag" or "paddle". After that the leaves becomes so small and colorful and begin to serve different functions that they are no longer called leaves, and these are what we know as bracts.

Reduced leaf size can come from a number of different reasons, the most common of which (other than flowering) are not enough nutrients in the soil, too small of a container, too much nitrogen salts in the soil (often comes from overuse of chemical fertilizers such as Miracle-Gro) and diseases such as Bunchy Top.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

the flying dutchman

Thanks Gabe, that is alot of very useful information.

Ron