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Annie6078OH · 06-15-2009, 08:09 PM

Hello,

This is my third season for my dwarf cavendish (root ball & p-stem weigh close to 200#). I've never expected fruit living where I do, but this banana has always produced beautiful foliage and healthy pups.

This year, only one half-leaf (from where the p-stem was cut to bring in for winter) has sprouted and I see a tip of a new leaf showing. For almost 2 weeks that has been status quo -- the new leaf just doesn't seem to be rising to emerge. I removed a large pup thinking it was taking too much energy away from "mom".

However, tonight I realized where all her energy is going -- she's producing bananas!!!

I'm SO incredibly beside-myself excited, but concerned at the same time. The bananas have split her side and are coming out about 2 ft. up the p-stem (it's only about 3 ft. tall from getting decapitated every year & no leaves so far this year).

Could someone answer a few questions please?
1) Is there any possibility in zone 6a that I'd actually get mature and/or edible fruit -- especially with the fruit coming out only 2 ft. off the ground?
2) If so, I always hear about propping for fruit, but will I be able to do that with that mere 2 ft. of clearance above the ground?
3) I always see photos of the flower hanging down and mine is all curled up (hopefully you can see that in my photos) -- is this another problem?
4) Is there anything I need to do at this point?

I've uploaded a few photos to my gallery if they would help in answering.

It'd be awesome to get edible fruit, but I'm still happy for the beautiful foliage and healthy pups I've been given from this plant. Just wondering if there's any room for hope

Thanks SO much in advance for any assistance,
Annie

06-15-2009, 08:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Annie6078OH Annie6078OH's Photo Gallery Location: Southwest Ohio Zone: 6a Name: Annie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 79 BananaBucks : 17,603 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 24 Times Was Thanked 92 Times in 35 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 33 Times	Advice -- First Time Fruiting Cavendish Hello, This is my third season for my dwarf cavendish (root ball & p-stem weigh close to 200#). I've never expected fruit living where I do, but this banana has always produced beautiful foliage and healthy pups. This year, only one half-leaf (from where the p-stem was cut to bring in for winter) has sprouted and I see a tip of a new leaf showing. For almost 2 weeks that has been status quo -- the new leaf just doesn't seem to be rising to emerge. I removed a large pup thinking it was taking too much energy away from "mom". However, tonight I realized where all her energy is going -- she's producing bananas!!! I'm SO incredibly beside-myself excited, but concerned at the same time. The bananas have split her side and are coming out about 2 ft. up the p-stem (it's only about 3 ft. tall from getting decapitated every year & no leaves so far this year). Could someone answer a few questions please? 1) Is there any possibility in zone 6a that I'd actually get mature and/or edible fruit -- especially with the fruit coming out only 2 ft. off the ground? 2) If so, I always hear about propping for fruit, but will I be able to do that with that mere 2 ft. of clearance above the ground? 3) I always see photos of the flower hanging down and mine is all curled up (hopefully you can see that in my photos) -- is this another problem? 4) Is there anything I need to do at this point? I've uploaded a few photos to my gallery if they would help in answering. It'd be awesome to get edible fruit, but I'm still happy for the beautiful foliage and healthy pups I've been given from this plant. Just wondering if there's any room for hope Thanks SO much in advance for any assistance, Annie