Mkaufmann

Hello, new banana grower here. Live in Hawaii and planted two Raja Puri plants side by side. They are in a tropical landscape area and get partial sun and decent watering. Both plants seemed to take well when transplanted - and new suckers appeared. Growth of both plants was noticeable and both regularly threw out new leaves. I fertilized a few times (but maybe less than I should have). Anyways, after many many months, one finally flowered and seemingly overnight, we had our first visible fruit - about 2-3 rows of regular size with many rows of much smaller bananas-to-be. And then it just stopped and has been stagnant ever since (for a couple of months). The fruit is still green but there is no change to any other fruit. The flower appears to be drying up but I’m not sure. The plant itself still appears to be healthy (and suckers seem to be doing well) but I did notice one of the adjacent leaves is covered with a black film. The second original plant has now just started to flower. I would like some guidance on what you may think is happening, and what if any action, we should take. I’ve struggled to find answers - “it’s normal for a new grove”, “plants didn’t get enough food/water”, “it’s a fungus, cut it down”. Appreciate the help.

sirdoofus

Pictures would be very helpful!!

__________________
Who keeps calling me nuts??

Mkaufmann

Added pics to the original post.

My wife says the black stuff on the leaf is "just" mold - not a fungus/disease.

Iowa

__________________
Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby

sirdoofus

Here's a quick write up by Ty Taylor on pushing short cycle bananas. Maybe some good tidbits in there for your situation.

https://www.bananapups.com/short-cycle/

__________________
Who keeps calling me nuts??