Leaves Getting Smaller

DaveE · 06-10-2010, 03:45 PM

Last week I noticed that the last 3 leaves on my largest Orinoco are progressively getting smaller. This morning a new leaf unfurled continuing the trend and making it four in a row. The last normal sized leaf measured 63" followed by one measuring 58", 54", 49" and this mornings leaf was 44". All rounded numbers of course.

I read the leaf before the flag thread and the flag of the flag of the... post, but there seemed to be a drastic reduction of leaf size not this slow progression. Has anyone noticed a longer slower reduction in leaf size prior to flowering? Or is this in reaction to some environmental factor?

Dave

Patty in Wisc · 06-10-2010, 05:28 PM

Did you recently transplant? Could it be rootbound if potted? Different soil?

DaveE · 06-10-2010, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patty in Wisc

Did you recently transplant? Could it be rootbound if potted? Different soil?

Hi Patty,

It was potted over the winter and moved outside to its current location in the ground the first week of March. It lost all of its winter leaves to spring storms as it was out in the open height wise. I think I can rule out soil as I have several other Orinocos right near it and they are displaying normal sized leaves. It could be spending more energy developing roots, although you would think it would just send up less leaves instead of affecting the size. Hopefully someone will have some insight.

I hope all is still well up in WI with that IC of yours!

Dave

Abnshrek · 06-10-2010, 07:22 PM

Good Observation DaveE :^) The question is do you always walk around your yard with a tape measure on your hip? :^)

Dean W. · 06-10-2010, 07:27 PM

Good question, Dave.

DaveE · 06-10-2010, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

Good Observation DaveE :^) The question is do you always walk around your yard with a tape measure on your hip? :^)

LOL!!

No, just watching really close for any future sign of nanners.

Dave

BB73 · 06-11-2010, 04:40 AM

I had the same "problem" with my Ice Cream and my Rajapuri after the winter (see: Smaller and thinner leave after winter) and I think it was a little suffering and recovering from winter. I had these two bananas outside in a pot on my balcony and had them covered only the coldest days when there was little freezing at night.
After the winter the leaves got smaller and then larger again. Now they're back to normal size and shape and everything is fine.
Maybe yours had a shock when you moved them outside and then showed these strange leaves. Just wait bit and they should get back to normal. I had about 3 - 6 "strange" leaves untill everything was normal.
And mine were not rootbound.

sandy0225 · 06-11-2010, 06:56 AM

If it's a really large sized one then it's probably getting ready to flower. If it's smaller, then you're just not making it happy anymore. Try playing some Jimmy Buffet to it...lol...
My ice cream did put out several progressively smaller leaves and then the flag and then the bloom.

BB73 · 06-11-2010, 07:11 AM

My Ice Cream and my Rajapuri are still small plants.
I received them last fall, so they shouldn't flower very soon, so it definitely can't be flag leaves.

I attached a quick pic of the Rajapuri taken with my phone. You can see the smaller and thinner leaves and - believe me - there have been bigger ones before:

DaveE · 06-11-2010, 10:55 AM

Thanks Bernd and Sandy!

The Orinoco I am writing about is well over 7' tall p-stem height.

This could be a transplant issue, but the transition went well with this plant. It didn't loose any leaves, no real obvious signs of shock and it has been 3.5 months now.

I guess as in the case of most banana questions we will have to wait and see. LOL

Now, where did I but Jimmy Buffets Greatest Hits CD?

Dave

DaveE · 07-07-2010, 08:23 AM

Just a quick update.

The plant has continued the trend with each new leaf ending up about 4 inches shorter than the last. The last leaf to open is down to 34" and the height is still terminal.

DaveE · 07-07-2010, 04:52 PM

Flag leaf today!

Jananas Bananas · 07-07-2010, 05:09 PM

YAY Dave! Keep those pictures coming!!!

~JaNan

Dean W. · 07-07-2010, 05:49 PM

Way to go, Dave!!!

sunfish · 07-07-2010, 06:37 PM

Abnshrek · 07-07-2010, 07:39 PM

Its all good Dave :^)

DaveE · 07-07-2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

Its all good Dave :^)

Get that Dwarf Orinoco of yours going Amigo, so we can have a dwarf vs standard taste test.

Dave

Abnshrek · 07-07-2010, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveE

Get that Dwarf Orinoco of yours going Amigo, so we can have a Dwarf vs standard taste test. Dave

Sounds like a plan :^) I need to clip 2 pups off of it.. :^)

Bananaman88 · 07-08-2010, 07:40 AM

Congrats, Dave! I get fruit off of my Orinoco on a fairly regular basis. I don't know that I will this year due to our most recent winter, though I guess it's possible since my California Gold also flowered, but it didn't die back almost to the ground like the Orinoco did. Orinoco fruits taste pretty good in my opinion if you let them get fully ripe (they should yield a little when you squeeze them). They are pretty good for making tostones as well, though they won't be as large as if you'd bought a true plantain from the grocery stort. I haven't made any but I would assume that they would also make good banana chips if sliced thin or be good for dehydrating. I may try that next go-round.

DaveE · 07-08-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bananaman88

Congrats, Dave! I get fruit off of my Orinoco on a fairly regular basis. I don't know that I will this year due to our most recent winter, though I guess it's possible since my California Gold also flowered, but it didn't die back almost to the ground like the Orinoco did. Orinoco fruits taste pretty good in my opinion if you let them get fully ripe (they should yield a little when you squeeze them). They are pretty good for making tostones as well, though they won't be as large as if you'd bought a true plantain from the grocery stort. I haven't made any but I would assume that they would also make good banana chips if sliced thin or be good for dehydrating. I may try that next go-round.

Thanks Brent! I can't wait to read your opinion on the taste of your CG.

Dave

06-10-2010, 03:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
DaveE DaveE's Photo Gallery Location: San Antonio, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 8 b Name: Dave Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 409 BananaBucks : 63,081 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,126 Times Was Thanked 569 Times in 192 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 54 Times	Leaves Getting Smaller Last week I noticed that the last 3 leaves on my largest Orinoco are progressively getting smaller. This morning a new leaf unfurled continuing the trend and making it four in a row. The last normal sized leaf measured 63" followed by one measuring 58", 54", 49" and this mornings leaf was 44". All rounded numbers of course. I read the leaf before the flag thread and the flag of the flag of the... post, but there seemed to be a drastic reduction of leaf size not this slow progression. Has anyone noticed a longer slower reduction in leaf size prior to flowering? Or is this in reaction to some environmental factor? Dave __________________

06-10-2010, 05:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 337,880 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Did you recently transplant? Could it be rootbound if potted? Different soil? __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

06-10-2010, 07:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,492 BananaBucks : 197,535 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,440 Times in 5,237 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Good Observation DaveE :^) The question is do you always walk around your yard with a tape measure on your hip? :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

06-10-2010, 07:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 234,746 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Good question, Dave. __________________

06-11-2010, 04:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
BB73 BB73's Photo Gallery Location: Thessaloniki/Greece Find me on the map! Zone: 9a Name: Bernd Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 370 BananaBucks : 55,097 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 228 Times Was Thanked 419 Times in 159 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 56 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller I had the same "problem" with my Ice Cream and my Rajapuri after the winter (see: Smaller and thinner leave after winter) and I think it was a little suffering and recovering from winter. I had these two bananas outside in a pot on my balcony and had them covered only the coldest days when there was little freezing at night. After the winter the leaves got smaller and then larger again. Now they're back to normal size and shape and everything is fine. Maybe yours had a shock when you moved them outside and then showed these strange leaves. Just wait bit and they should get back to normal. I had about 3 - 6 "strange" leaves untill everything was normal. And mine were not rootbound.

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06-11-2010, 06:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 355,487 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller If it's a really large sized one then it's probably getting ready to flower. If it's smaller, then you're just not making it happy anymore. Try playing some Jimmy Buffet to it...lol... My ice cream did put out several progressively smaller leaves and then the flag and then the bloom. __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!

06-11-2010, 07:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
BB73 BB73's Photo Gallery Location: Thessaloniki/Greece Find me on the map! Zone: 9a Name: Bernd Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 370 BananaBucks : 55,097 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 228 Times Was Thanked 419 Times in 159 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 56 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller My Ice Cream and my Rajapuri are still small plants. I received them last fall, so they shouldn't flower very soon, so it definitely can't be flag leaves. I attached a quick pic of the Rajapuri taken with my phone. You can see the smaller and thinner leaves and - believe me - there have been bigger ones before:

06-11-2010, 10:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
DaveE DaveE's Photo Gallery Location: San Antonio, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 8 b Name: Dave Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 409 BananaBucks : 63,081 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,126 Times Was Thanked 569 Times in 192 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 54 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Thanks Bernd and Sandy! The Orinoco I am writing about is well over 7' tall p-stem height. This could be a transplant issue, but the transition went well with this plant. It didn't loose any leaves, no real obvious signs of shock and it has been 3.5 months now. I guess as in the case of most banana questions we will have to wait and see. LOL Now, where did I but Jimmy Buffets Greatest Hits CD? Dave __________________

07-07-2010, 08:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
DaveE DaveE's Photo Gallery Location: San Antonio, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 8 b Name: Dave Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 409 BananaBucks : 63,081 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,126 Times Was Thanked 569 Times in 192 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 54 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Just a quick update. The plant has continued the trend with each new leaf ending up about 4 inches shorter than the last. The last leaf to open is down to 34" and the height is still terminal. __________________ Last edited by DaveE : 07-07-2010 at 04:57 PM.

07-07-2010, 04:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
DaveE DaveE's Photo Gallery Location: San Antonio, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 8 b Name: Dave Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 409 BananaBucks : 63,081 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,126 Times Was Thanked 569 Times in 192 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 54 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Flag leaf today! __________________

07-07-2010, 05:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jananas Bananas Jananas Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: Austin, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: JaNan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,438 BananaBucks : 391,276 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,341 Times Was Thanked 7,059 Times in 2,683 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 133 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller YAY Dave! Keep those pictures coming!!! ~JaNan __________________ Jananas Bananas

07-07-2010, 05:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 234,746 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Way to go, Dave!!! __________________

07-07-2010, 06:37 PM	#15 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 949,731 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,591 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller

07-07-2010, 07:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,492 BananaBucks : 197,535 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,440 Times in 5,237 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Its all good Dave :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

07-08-2010, 07:40 AM	#19 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 217,069 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,263 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Leaves Getting Smaller Congrats, Dave! I get fruit off of my Orinoco on a fairly regular basis. I don't know that I will this year due to our most recent winter, though I guess it's possible since my California Gold also flowered, but it didn't die back almost to the ground like the Orinoco did. Orinoco fruits taste pretty good in my opinion if you let them get fully ripe (they should yield a little when you squeeze them). They are pretty good for making tostones as well, though they won't be as large as if you'd bought a true plantain from the grocery stort. I haven't made any but I would assume that they would also make good banana chips if sliced thin or be good for dehydrating. I may try that next go-round.

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