Carolina

Hey, forum folks!

Just a few questions for those with the answers.

1) What is a flag leaf and what is its purpose? How can you distinguish a flag leaf from a regular leaf?

2) Does pupping slow down the growth of a mother plant? Would pupping cause the mother to send out little stunted puny leaves? I remember reading somewhere "pup and choke". This is what comes to mind for me concerning a small DC. Otherwise, the plant seems fine.

3) Is 40 and upper 30 degrees at night too cool to leave bananas outside?

4) Is it normal for the lower leaves to turn brown along the edges and then slowly die out? Should you go ahead and cut these leaves off or leave them until they go beyond beautiful?

5) 15-30-15... good fertilizer? Wait for warmer temps before fertiziling? My temps are 65-70 degrees this coming week with lows around 50.

6) Is there anyway to almost guarantee fruiting? Is it true that each plant must put out a certain amount of leaves before fruiting?

I kept 3 DC's overwintered in different locations... on an unheated porch which gets warm during the day (this is the one that has pupped out and is looking scraggly with its last two leaves) ...the others I kept indoors and did well, continued to put out leaves slowly but lower leaves started browning up. None seem to have rotted.

Thanks! Do appreciate!

momoese

#1 As for what the flag leaf looks like read this post:
Finally!
www.bananas.org/showthread.php?t=438

#2 Pupping does have some minimal effect on the growth rate of the
mother. Only a select few should be left to grow for the next season.

#3 Even here in So Cal we get temps in the low 40's. My cold sensitive
reds survived with very little damage to the leaves. Just some browning and shredding from the winds.

#4 The leaf edges turning brown is normal and leaving them on the plant
is what's best for the plant unless your just growing for foliage then
you can prune as you see fit.

#5 I only use organic methods to feed so?

#6 Yes and yes. The best bet is to read this post.
Best bananas for me?

Carolina

Hey.. and thanks!

I'm still unsure about the second part of my question #6, though. How many leaves does a plant have to put out... and would that amount be how many is currently on the plant upon flowering.. or has put out during its life span?

Oh yeah.. one more thing.. what would cause the mother plant to suddenly put out two small puny looking leaves? As I had said.. it sent out two pups just after those two little leaves.

pitangadiego

If you read all the literature, much will say that they flower after a certain number of leaves, but they ALL disagree on how many leaves that is, or give a range of plus or minus 10 leaves, or so. Thus, if you can't determine how many leaves are needed before flowering, then there is no such number of leaves, and all the claims that the number of leaves is the determing factor are bogus. From experience (given decent water and nutrition) a particular variety will flower fairly consistently at the same height. From experience, pups of nearly identical age, will flower at nearly the same time, if all other factors are the same (water, fertilizer, weather, sun, etc).

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momoese

Most plants will try to reproduce when stressed. Some flower and some send up suckers or pups. Maybe the mom is stressed for some unknown reason?

Carolina

Thanks alot, guys!

I'm really getting excited with each day as it grows warmer. I was raised in the Panama Canal Zone and as a kid took all things tropical for granted. Not anymore, though! Bought my first little banana the middle of last summer and am just thrilled to have survived the winter. I'm working on a tropicalesque garden and plan on trying some other varieties besides DC.

A garden shop a few miles from here opened 2 or 3 years ago. They imported 2 large palm trees that are still surviving and appear to be fine. Luckily, so far, we've had mild winters. If I even thought for a minute I could have the same success I'd shell out some bucks! I'm afraid all it would take is one harsh winter... maybe the next one coming. Gah....

BobbyinNY

Believe me Carolina, I know exactly how you feel. I live in New York and I create a tropical paradise every spring - only to spend 2-3 days taking it all down and wintering it over indoors when October comes.