Namwah fruiting troubles

RonAP · 07-12-2014, 04:24 PM

Hi everyone I have a question about my Namwah plant. I bought the plant in February of 2013 as a blue java (shocker) and it fruited this February. There seems to be a problem with some of the fruit only filling out half way. The plant received plenty of fertilizer while it was growing and I use it's fallen leaves as mulch. It also receives plenty of sunlight and the mat isn't too big, it has a second fruiting pstem along with 2 large pups and 3 smaller pups. The fruit has been hanging for 5 months and the mother plant only has about 3 healthy leaves left. Any ideas as to what is causing this to happen?

The photos are in my gallery and I don't know how to attach them to the post.

Abnshrek · 07-12-2014, 06:28 PM

So what you feeding it..? They look fine for being patient this long.. :v)

RonAP · 07-12-2014, 06:33 PM

An 8-3-9 for the most part because that's the only thing I've had in large enough quantities to feed them. It's only on about 10 fruit but if you look closely at the picture some have only filled half way. I wish I could get a better picture but the fruit are high in the air.

crazy banana · 07-13-2014, 12:08 AM

They look normal to me. Where are you located? How was your weather since February? It has taken my Namwah bunch 7.5 month to fill in and ripen, but they were also hanging over the winter. A little more potassium could be beneficial but patience and you will be fine.

RonAP · 07-13-2014, 01:21 AM

I am in South Florida Zone 10 and the weather has been very sunny with a lot of rain recently. I just don't understand why almost all the fruit filled properly while some have just struggled since the beginning.

servatusprime · 07-13-2014, 06:08 AM

I can't quite make out everything in the photo. However from what I can see they don't look abnormal. The speed of filling out varies a little bit from hand to hand. How many leaves does the p-stem with the bunch have? More leaves = more fruiting power.

RonAP · 07-13-2014, 12:31 PM

The pstem with the fruiting bunch is down to about 3 green leaves which makes me wonder if it is capable of filling the remaining fruit out. It really is hard to see in the picture but certain fruit have plumped up half way up the finger while the remaining half has stayed thin just like when the flower first opened.

servatusprime · 07-13-2014, 01:40 PM

Yes three will slow things down a bit, but it still can fill out. You will just have to wait it out. Not sure why it's behaving that way. What kind if soil are you growing it in?

RonAP · 07-13-2014, 01:50 PM

It's growing in Floridas natural soil but in my area the soil is actually pretty good and very well draining.

servatusprime · 07-13-2014, 02:59 PM

Well tough to say with out more pictures and knowing exactly what soil you are in. I would wait another month. I live in Fort Myers and my namwah flowered flowered back in late February and I harvested fruit last week. So it seems like your mat is taking a little longer than it should. Maybe your soil drains too well and you aren't getting enough water it's either that or you still need more nutrients. The fact that you only have three leaves seems to indicate that the plant is giving it's all to set the fruit. On my mat of namwah I don't loose leaves very often. It should be pretty hardy for zone ten.

RonAP · 07-13-2014, 03:17 PM

I water the mat every day and I don't loose leaves that often but i guess there weren't that many to start. Would it be okay to fertilize the plant now? Is there any adverse side effects of fertilizing while there is fruit on? Could it also be that another pstem started forming fruit (the flower showed up about 2 weeks ago) or that the mat is young so it's having a hard time with its first bunch of fruit? I live in Hollywood Florida by the way.

bananimal · 07-13-2014, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonAP

I water the mat every day and I don't loose leaves that often but i guess there weren't that many to start. Would it be okay to fertilize the plant now? Is there any adverse side effects of fertilizing while there is fruit on? Could it also be that another pstem started forming fruit (the flower showed up about 2 weeks ago) or that the mat is young so it's having a hard time with its first bunch of fruit? I live in Hollywood Florida by the way.

Ron --- are you getting your 8-3-9 from Diamond R? If so you will do better with the 6-3-16 they sell. Called the Super Fruiter it is perfect for bananas in So Florida. I use it on my avocado and all my mangos. All are loaded with fruit this year. In Hollywood you can grow just about anything tropical.

RonAP · 07-13-2014, 06:02 PM

So is it fine to fertilize even though there is currently fruit on the plant? The fertilizer is Diamond R I just get it from the local rfvc for $20 a bag.

crazy banana · 07-13-2014, 07:40 PM

So in general it seems that a) only three leaves might slow your plant down and b) a different fertilizer could be beneficial. Harvesting a bunch in anything less than 6 month if not living in the tropics like servatusprime mentioned is pretty amazing.
With my Namwah I usually wait with harvest until I see a significant change in color or until I see some splitting of the skins. You are only at the 5 month mark, so I would just wait it out.

RonAP · 07-13-2014, 09:34 PM

So the best thing for me to do is just wait. Thank you guys for the help, tips, and reassurance. I'm still confused as to whether I can fertilize when there is fruit on the plant?

sunfish · 07-13-2014, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonAP

So the best thing for me to do is just wait. Thank you guys for the help, tips, and reassurance. I'm still confused as to whether I can fertilize when there is fruit on the plant?

Yes you can

Nicolas Naranja · 07-14-2014, 03:01 PM

Obviously, I've seen a few hundred Nam Wah bunches. The problem is common on Nam Wah. I've had plenty of bunches where a few fingers just didn't fill out. Most of the fingers on a hand will be plump, and one will be unfilled. I've heard various reasons such as drought or micronutrient deficiency. I'm not real sure about any of that because I have had in wet summers and in dry winters, and well fertilized as well.

JCA433 · 09-26-2014, 07:24 PM

I have the same problems with one of my Namwah bunches . The third bunch on my second Namwah has some fingers that are not filling out much. Every finger is filled out on the other Namwah bunch though and both mats receive the same culture , fertilizer, and care. The first two bunches on this mat were very impressive so maybe less energy was available for the third bunch. It is still very healthy with over 90% of the fingers filling out normal.

07-12-2014, 04:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
RonAP Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 3,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Namwah fruiting troubles Hi everyone I have a question about my Namwah plant. I bought the plant in February of 2013 as a blue java (shocker) and it fruited this February. There seems to be a problem with some of the fruit only filling out half way. The plant received plenty of fertilizer while it was growing and I use it's fallen leaves as mulch. It also receives plenty of sunlight and the mat isn't too big, it has a second fruiting pstem along with 2 large pups and 3 smaller pups. The fruit has been hanging for 5 months and the mother plant only has about 3 healthy leaves left. Any ideas as to what is causing this to happen? The photos are in my gallery and I don't know how to attach them to the post.

07-12-2014, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 349,044 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,444 Times in 5,239 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles So what you feeding it..? They look fine for being patient this long.. :v) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

07-12-2014, 06:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
RonAP Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 3,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles An 8-3-9 for the most part because that's the only thing I've had in large enough quantities to feed them. It's only on about 10 fruit but if you look closely at the picture some have only filled half way. I wish I could get a better picture but the fruit are high in the air.

07-13-2014, 12:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
crazy banana Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,641 BananaBucks : 2,358 Feedback: 73 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,026 Times Was Thanked 2,964 Times in 1,116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,000 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles They look normal to me. Where are you located? How was your weather since February? It has taken my Namwah bunch 7.5 month to fill in and ripen, but they were also hanging over the winter. A little more potassium could be beneficial but patience and you will be fine.

07-13-2014, 01:21 AM	#5 (permalink)
RonAP Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 3,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles I am in South Florida Zone 10 and the weather has been very sunny with a lot of rain recently. I just don't understand why almost all the fruit filled properly while some have just struggled since the beginning.

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07-13-2014, 06:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
servatusprime Find me on the map! Zone: 10A Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 119,923 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 446 Times Was Thanked 913 Times in 262 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles I can't quite make out everything in the photo. However from what I can see they don't look abnormal. The speed of filling out varies a little bit from hand to hand. How many leaves does the p-stem with the bunch have? More leaves = more fruiting power.

07-13-2014, 12:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
RonAP Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 3,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles The pstem with the fruiting bunch is down to about 3 green leaves which makes me wonder if it is capable of filling the remaining fruit out. It really is hard to see in the picture but certain fruit have plumped up half way up the finger while the remaining half has stayed thin just like when the flower first opened.

07-13-2014, 01:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
servatusprime Find me on the map! Zone: 10A Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 119,923 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 446 Times Was Thanked 913 Times in 262 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles Yes three will slow things down a bit, but it still can fill out. You will just have to wait it out. Not sure why it's behaving that way. What kind if soil are you growing it in?

07-13-2014, 01:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
RonAP Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 3,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles It's growing in Floridas natural soil but in my area the soil is actually pretty good and very well draining.

07-13-2014, 02:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
servatusprime Find me on the map! Zone: 10A Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 119,923 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 446 Times Was Thanked 913 Times in 262 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles Well tough to say with out more pictures and knowing exactly what soil you are in. I would wait another month. I live in Fort Myers and my namwah flowered flowered back in late February and I harvested fruit last week. So it seems like your mat is taking a little longer than it should. Maybe your soil drains too well and you aren't getting enough water it's either that or you still need more nutrients. The fact that you only have three leaves seems to indicate that the plant is giving it's all to set the fruit. On my mat of namwah I don't loose leaves very often. It should be pretty hardy for zone ten.

07-13-2014, 03:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
RonAP Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 3,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles I water the mat every day and I don't loose leaves that often but i guess there weren't that many to start. Would it be okay to fertilize the plant now? Is there any adverse side effects of fertilizing while there is fruit on? Could it also be that another pstem started forming fruit (the flower showed up about 2 weeks ago) or that the mat is young so it's having a hard time with its first bunch of fruit? I live in Hollywood Florida by the way.

07-13-2014, 06:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
RonAP Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 3,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles So is it fine to fertilize even though there is currently fruit on the plant? The fertilizer is Diamond R I just get it from the local rfvc for $20 a bag.

07-13-2014, 07:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
crazy banana Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,641 BananaBucks : 2,358 Feedback: 73 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,026 Times Was Thanked 2,964 Times in 1,116 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,000 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles So in general it seems that a) only three leaves might slow your plant down and b) a different fertilizer could be beneficial. Harvesting a bunch in anything less than 6 month if not living in the tropics like servatusprime mentioned is pretty amazing. With my Namwah I usually wait with harvest until I see a significant change in color or until I see some splitting of the skins. You are only at the 5 month mark, so I would just wait it out.

07-13-2014, 09:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
RonAP Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 3,122 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles So the best thing for me to do is just wait. Thank you guys for the help, tips, and reassurance. I'm still confused as to whether I can fertilize when there is fruit on the plant?

07-14-2014, 03:01 PM	#17 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 604,232 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,666 Times in 1,563 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles Obviously, I've seen a few hundred Nam Wah bunches. The problem is common on Nam Wah. I've had plenty of bunches where a few fingers just didn't fill out. Most of the fingers on a hand will be plump, and one will be unfilled. I've heard various reasons such as drought or micronutrient deficiency. I'm not real sure about any of that because I have had in wet summers and in dry winters, and well fertilized as well. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

09-26-2014, 07:24 PM	#18 (permalink)
JCA433 Location: Homestead, Florida Zone: Zone 10 Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 330 BananaBucks : 101,050 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 433 Times in 162 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: Namwah fruiting troubles I have the same problems with one of my Namwah bunches . The third bunch on my second Namwah has some fingers that are not filling out much. Every finger is filled out on the other Namwah bunch though and both mats receive the same culture , fertilizer, and care. The first two bunches on this mat were very impressive so maybe less energy was available for the third bunch. It is still very healthy with over 90% of the fingers filling out normal.

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