Variegated Mutation in Madeira?
 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/yq1brNpr1AtUpc5X7

We've been preparing our land at our vacation home in Madeira, Portugal and hired someone to rototill the land to smooth it out and loosen up the soil so that I can plant a clover groundcover. There are a lot of stones in our land and while picking up some of the rocks I noticed one of my bananas had a variegated leaf. The lower leaves are not variegated but the emerging leaf also appears to be variegated. I'm wondering if this mutation will continue. The friend I hired to rototill suggested I get rid of it and I explained that we like the beauty of these mutations. Since the lower leaves are not variegated do you think that pups from this plant may also be variegated? I'm considering digging up this plant and moving it away from this over-crowded mat. I believe I had only Namwahs growing here at my place and the contractor that has restored our old home moved some of the bananas to this spot on our property. We had an irrigation water storage tank constructed where the bananas were originally located.

Re: Variegated Mutation in Madeira?
 

I can almost feel the warmth coming from your land!It's cold in the UK atm but not as cold as it should be.

Re: Variegated Mutation in Madeira?
 

Your photo doesn't show enough detail but it would be concerning if the leaf blade edges are abnormal. Your decision to segregate it from the mat is probably a prudent move.

Re: Variegated Mutation in Madeira?
 

I just searched and think it might be BSV:

Banana Streak Virus (BSV) – Widespread in Madeira

Present since at least the early 2000s, now considered endemic across the island.

Causes yellow streaking on leaves, distorted bunches, and reduced fruit size/quality.

Transmitted through infected planting material (suckers) and by mealybugs.


I might get rid of all of my banana plants and buy new banana plants. I get get fairly large tissue culture plants four about 3 euros each.

Re: Variegated Mutation in Madeira?
 

If others want to see a closeup of harveyc's posted pic above then click on the pic then use scroll on your mouse.

Re: Variegated Mutation in Madeira?
 

I posted it with the link so that the original quality image could be viewed. It's a larger file than allowed by the forum gallery.

I decided to get rid of all of my bananas and will start over with tissue culture plants.

Re: Variegated Mutation in Madeira?
 

If you want some beautifully variegated bananas and avoid BSV you can buy variegated acuminata banana seeds online.

Re: Variegated Mutation in Madeira?
 

I've never had to deal with BSV yet but it should be almost unavoidable with it predominately affecting balbisiana type plants and a tissue culture plant won't change that.