sashaeffer

Bought and received a mail order Dwarf Cavendish banana plant. It will be a inside only plant and so far has been doing just fine. It's about 5 inches tall with nice leaves but I noticed that none of them have the purple "splotches" on any of them. Do they come along a little later?

After buying this plant, I found some at small independent nursery that are around 1ft tall, and with many leaves all with the familiar purple splotches on the leaves.

Scott/Omaha

varig8

Those are commonly referred to as Blood Spots. They mostly appear on the youngest leaves of only some varieties, Cavendish being one. However, they are most likely produced only as somewhat of a protective measure against the radiation from intense sunlight on these new leaves. Since yours will be growing inside away from any direct sun, it may not develop these blood spots.....If you like this coloration on the leaves, try purchasing either a young Sumatrana, Dwarf Rojo, or Gran Nain x Sumatrana as these all have maroon undersides and permanent "blood spots".

sashaeffer

Thanks for the reply! Although I like the markings of the blood spots, it's not a deal breaker for me. As long as it grows, and hopefully produces some bananas I'll be happy. I know it will grow slow inside, but I'm patient!

Again, Thanks.

varig8

Dwarf Cavendish is one of the best suited for interiors. To circumvent any problems, make sure you use a good quality potting mix, such as Miracle Grow Moisture Control. Do not use SOIL, Garden soil and earth tend to cake up when dry, then when you water, it mostly runs right through, and also dirt tends not to allow any oxygen to the roots. Use a professional potting MIX. Place it into an over sized pot as they will grow quickly and tend to produce suckers the first year way before flowering and fruiting. Put it somewhere it will receive as much light as possible. Do NOT over water. Occasionally spray luke warm water on the undersides of the leaves and down into the tops of the petioles between the leaves to curtail any spider mite infestations that could occur.