Bananas.org - Flower questions

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Flower questions

I have a dwarf Cavendish that is flowering right now it appears to have two flower heads but they didn't develop a much of a stem.
I've included pictures.

Any ideas. Should I cut off the closest two leaves? Will it still develop and ripen. Also worried about the winter onset. What happens if temps drop too much before the fruit ripens. Will they continue ripening in the spring if I can keep them from freezing? I'm in Tallahassee, zone 8b

Re: Flower questions

I think if you cut it your asking for trouble.. :^)

Re: Flower questions

I'm also in Tallahassee, and I'm impressed that you're getting any kind of flower out of a Cavendish. I've gotten fruit from my Orinoco, Ice Cream, Raja Puri, and even my ornamental Rojo, but not my dwarf Cavendish. Congratulations!

Re: Flower questions

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek (Post 230719)

I think if you cut it your asking for trouble.. :^)

I'm with him. Leave it alone.

Re: Flower questions

Is the plant choking or something? My DC flowers are out and hanging down before the bracts start to open at all. Granted I'm in central Florida, but that just doesn't seem right to me. Congrats nonetheless!

Re: Flower questions

Sorry I didn't get an email so I didn't realize anyone had posted.

Very excited about a fellow tallahassean. I just ordered one of each you mentioned so also excited they are fruiting for you.

My cavendish I (read my husband) toted an 8 foot stalk in last winter during the coldest week. it laid on it's side on my dining room floor because I couldn't stand it up. It took both of us to carry it and we won't be doing that again. I do have some pups I split off so those small plants will be coming inside. (these are pups I split off much earlier this year)

I think I have decided to leave mama in the ground. I am going to put up a small cold frame around her, wrap her trunk in christmas lights, then frost cloth then plastic. I'm going to do whatever it take to try and keep them above freezing. I have read that if I can keep the bananas from freezing they will ripen in spring.

Lemmysports yes it appears to be choking.

I also agree with sunfish it is a double mahoi sport (of course I had to look that word up cause I had no idea what he was trying to say).

the flower continues to open. I don't know how long it will take them to get to the full sized green stage.

They also don't get full sun but we are very near a lake and the spot is near the house though not next to it. I hope this will provide some added protection.

I been working (although lackadaisically) on bananas for years with not much luck, but they have always been labeled cavendish. Now that it bloomed and I found this site I realize I might have more luck with different special varieties and have gotten the banana bug. I have ordered like 7 varieties that I'll be playing with next year.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Any more suggestions or comments will still be much appreciated.