Thanks Tony for posting that link. It made me update that post which I forgot to do.
RV, My plant never had a bunch of leaves on it but I keep getting bunches and they ripen and are delicious.
The link that Tony posted was from my plant that fell over in the winter. It had about 5 leaves on it when the flag popped out but they browned up quickly because of the cold weather (it was winter) and then it fell over in a storm just a few months after they had popped out. It took them FOREVER but they did fatten up slowly.
I'm sure the more leaves the better cuz these banana people on this site know their stuff. I just wanted to throw in there that even if the situation is not "ideal" you can still have a good outcome. I'm sure your bananas will be great. Keep up posted as it progresses. Good luck!
Jen