momoese

Just thought I'd share with you what a Pre Flag Leaf looks like. This is my Dwarf Brazilian. The pre flag is about 2 feet shorter that the regular leaves. This week the flag will appear followed by the flower bud.




Notice here how the pseudostem is bulging at the top. That's because the flower bud is inside there.

kaczercat

nice! please keep us updated with the fruit production. how tall is it 7-8 feet?

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Matt

momoese

It's 8 feet of pseudostem. They have a pretty consistent fruiting height now that they have been established for a few years.

Dalmatiansoap

How many varieties do U have now Mitchel?

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momoese

I've been downsizing over the years.

Right now I have

Namwah
FHIA 18
Pisang Klotek
Dwarf Brazilian
Tall Brazilian that is on the way out once the the fruit bunch is harvested.
Dwarf Red
Dwarf Cavendish that will be composted in the next few weeks.
An unknown that Bob sent me that's still growing in a container. I'll probably sell it.

That's it!

amantedelenguaje

Do bananas normally produce a short leaf before the flag leaf? Will the pseudostem always bulge at the top when the bud is pushing through? I am hoping for my first bud/flower sometime this summer. I just want to know what to look for. I've got Dwarf Cavendish, Dwarf Namwah, Zebrina, and an unknown.

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momoese

Mine have always produced a pre flag but sometimes I don't notice it until I see the flag leaf.

sidpook

beautiful! keep us updated.

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Mike

venturabananas

I've only had 5 varieties flower so far, but all of them made a short pre-flag leaf. The p-stem did fill out at the top on all, too. I wouldn't exactly say "bulge" -- it doesn't look like a snake that's just eaten a big animal. Instead, rather than the p-stem tapering from the base to the top, the top 3rd or so gets more uniform in diameter, i.e., no more taper near the top. The leaves also "stack up", i.e., the spacing between them gets closer.

Thanks for the pictures Mitchel. They really are worth a thousand words.

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RandyGHO

This kind of information really helps new banana growers like me. I really appreciate the pictures and the replies describing what to look for. Interesting stuff.

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Thinking outside the peel always.

amantedelenguaje

Thanks for the information. I guess I'll have to be patient. I don't see any of those signs yet. I like the reference to the snake eating a large animal. It helps us visual learners understand better.

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Darkman

Here is my latest showing the half leaf, flag leaf and bloom. I remember when I'd never seen a flag and I wondered about many leaves that were not halfs and flags. Now that I've had them there is no mistaking them. Picture quality isn't that good but I think you can see it OK. The small flag is centered with the half leaf just to the left. Compare it to the leaves far right and 2nd left of flag. Fully unfurled it is only about three foot compared to the others that are closer to six feet.

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Darkman in Pensacola

AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!!

Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong!

Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable!

Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.