ronke

So I planted my Becky's Mystery pup (direct from Charles Portney) beside my Dwarf Brazilian. They were planted within a couple of months of each other, but the DB flowered a year ago and ripened its lovely fruit this past July. Meanwhile, the BM did zip until a few days ago when it suddenly shoved its very plump flower out. I never saw a flag leaf because my Gros Michel, towering above it, drooped its leaves all over the place. But I was well pleased to finally be able to anticipate tasting the Becky and compare it to the DB. As the fruit is forming, however, it is spaced out along the stalk in a way I have never seen before. All my other 'nanas are so densely packed it is often difficult to pick them individually. These guys (girls?) seem to have be almost individual hands dotted down the stalk. Any suggestions why this is happening? Weird weather, weird watering, erratic fertilizing, scary Gros Michel? Thanks.[IMG][/IMG]

pitangadiego

Looks like plant was weak when it flowered, and fruit is more or less correctly spaced, but actual fruit is undersize which gives the appearance of overly wife spacing. Not uncommon on a first bunch of fruit to transplant shock. Good watering and fertilizing should make a difference in second generation.

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ronke

Thank you! That makes a lot of sense. I will get out and feed Becky pronto.

Gabe15

I don't see anything strange in the photo. It looks completely normal for the female phase of 'Dwarf Brazilian'. Do you have photos of the other plant you assume to be 'Dwarf Brazilian'?

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ronke

For some bizarre reason, I don't seem to have taken a photo of my Dwarf Brazilian when it flowered but this is a photo of the fruit when it started ripening. I can certainly take a photo of the two plants side by side. They do look pretty similar to me, with the Becky considerably taller [IMG][/IMG]

Gabe15

Well, I guess I said 'Dwarf Brazilian' for your mystery plant because the photo made it look like it was at just about eye level or little higher, however, it could just be the tall form of 'Brazilian'. When the fruit is done forming and it moves on to the male bud it will be obvious. 'Dwarf Brazilian' has bracts which dry and stay on the stalk, while the non-dwarf form has bracts which quickly fall off.

Your 'Dwarf Brazilian' mature bunch looks fine and normal for 'Dwarf Brazilian'. I'm still a little confused what about your mystery plant looks odd, the fruits are very young, so they still have a long way to go before you can judge how densely they will be packed on the bunch/the spacing. Perhaps you never looked to close at this female stage? It will change a lot as it matures.

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pitangadiego

Agree D Braz bunch looks normal and the retention of the brachts is typical of D Braz. If you grow one of the FHIAS you will notice they are quite different and most drop their brachts almost as fast as they open.

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ronke

You are probably absolutely right that I have never had a bunch form virtually at eye level so maybe I never noticed before how the babies form. Even my Dwarf Brazilian, although a smaller plant, had its 'nanas over my head (though of course nowhere near as high as my Gros Michel). This has certainly been a rewarding experience. Thanks to you all!

pitangadiego

Buy a ladder.

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