GeckoGirl

Hello all! I'm new to the forum and pretty much new to bananas although we did have an unidentified smaller variety that was well established in our backyard at our old house. I had bought 3 "Musa Gros Michel Heirloom banana tree" plants back in March and I potted them all in individual 7 gallon pots. They were quite small (maybe a foot tall) at the time and green with no purple to be seen on the leaves. Now they are several feet tall but I see quite a bit of purple or dark red splotches on the leaves. I'm wondering if this is typical of a Gros Michel? It's very hard to find pics of older plants. Thanks for any help in trying to ID these. I will try to post pics when I get a chance if I can figure out how to do so.

edwmax

Yes, the wine stains are normal for the Gros Michel and Cavendish groups and a few other varieties. A picture would help.


It would be good to make a post the Member Introduction section and tell us a little bit about your self. Where are you located (generally & growing zone)?



Welcome to the forum.

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GeckoGirl

Thanks! I did make an introduction post as per your request. We are in Lehigh Acres Florida (SW Florida). I’m not for sure on growing zone but I’m pretty sure it’s 9a or 9b? I can’t remember.

beam2050

depending on your zip you are either 10a or 9b. goes you could just as well call it 10a either way

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npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5

GeckoGirl

Sorry for the delay, we were on a bit of a vacation in Orlando. I'm trying to figure out how to upload pics now. I created an album and then clicked "upload photos" and then I filled out everything and clicked "upload" but then it takes me back to an empty page and doesn't show that they uploaded =(

GeckoGirl

Ok I used photobucket since I've used it in the past so hopefully this works... For size reference, these are in 7 gallon nursery containers.

Iowa

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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

GeckoGirl

Are they not showing up? They are showing up on my screen.

sputinc7

They sure look like Gros Michel to me... Where you are, you can, and should, plant them in the ground. They will likely do better.

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If you lose your head and give up, you neither live nor win.

https://sputinc7.wixsite.com/covwc

Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel.
What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.

GeckoGirl

Yes, they will eventually go in the ground but when I got them it was pretty cold outside even for here so I had to have them in the house some nights because they were sooo small (maybe 2-3 leaves). Then I figured I'd give them some time in the pots to establish themselves (they weren't looking so hot for awhile) and move them into the ground when they start to get too big for the pots.

sputinc7

They are ready now... You are missing the best time for growth here in Florida.

__________________

If you lose your head and give up, you neither live nor win.

https://sputinc7.wixsite.com/covwc

Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel.
What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.

GeckoGirl

Oh, ok. I figured while they were small they would be more susceptible to the cold and could use the extra boost from the Miracle Grow that they are planted in, but if you think they will be ok for next winter outside then I will go ahead and plant them in the ground now. I will make a new post in a different section to see if there is anything special I need to do when planting these in the ground. Thanks so much for the help!