World's smallest flowering banana?
 

This unknown Ensete was a gift from a friend with only the name 'Dwarf Ensete'. I've only had them less than 6 months, they are seedlings I think, or maybe tissue cultures but either way, very small plants. I thought this one looked funny the other day but didn't think too much of it as I was in a rush and thought maybe it could be bunchy top or something else. But I looked at it more carefully today, and I think it may actually being attempting to flower. Since it's so small, it's hard to tell what's really going on for now, but I'll keep posting what I find out.

If it really is trying to flower, this may be a cool weird mutant, but I'm not sure if I will be able to propagate it. I may try some experimental tissue culture techniques to see if I can regenerate plants in culture.

This plant is only about 6in tall and in a 4in container.



Size reference


Between two of it's normal growing brothers

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

That would be so cool, Gabe. Do you think it might just be the leaves need to be cut to allow them to grow out, as happens frequently with DC? Can't wit to see!

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

Totally AWESOME Gabe!!!
Hope you can get some good results in TC!! ~Cheryl

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

......................and the worlds tiniest bananas!

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

Pretty interesting!

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

Probably the Musella Genes at work, if it produces a yellow flower you
found the "Missing Link" between Ensete and Musella.:)

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

Very cool Gabe...... is it possible the flowering is in response to some stress? Most of the mature Ensetes I know of ( admittedly limited) develop a swollen base which these don't seem to have so I was wondering?

In any case if it is in fact a mutant... name it after yourself and get busy in the TC lab!:woohoonaner: We all want one!

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

Wow! Super cool! It's like a super super dwarf ensete!

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

That is Stupid Cool Thanks for the pictures

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

I can see the paper in the journals already, right next to the one on the first flower and fruit from a Siam Ruby! Get cracking, Gabe. :ha:

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

What happened with this plant?

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

It's still moving along with its attempt to flower, I will get some new photos soon. I also have another one from the same batch which is now flowering. I put it in a larger container so it is a larger plant, but still very small (< 1ft).

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

Thats AWESOME! I would definitely love to have a banana plant like that. It looks awesome! Im looking forward to seeing what its blooms look like!

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

That is so cool... Wait till the flower matures! Too weird!

Great and happy Growing!

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

what happened to this? i know this is an old thread but this seems really cool.

Re: World's smallest flowering banana?
 

Ok, Gabe, now that I'm back I sure wan to see what happened.