When will it flower?

lpatelski · 08-18-2013, 04:46 PM

Measuring at the end of the pstem, two of my Orinocos flowered at 7'5" and 7'10"; they both have very small hands at about 9 fingers each. The one with the largest bunch flowered at 8'8".

I keep thinking one of these will flower next. The tallest is 9'10" at the end of the pstem and the leaves reach up 7' above that. It shows no signs of letting up. Is it getting bigger in prep for a large flower?

PR-Giants · 08-18-2013, 05:02 PM

Beautiful Plants

Circumference at 1 meter and pseudostem height are useful indicators.

lpatelski · 08-18-2013, 08:13 PM

So based on pstem height vs circumference at 1 meter:

first to flower: Pstem 7'10" / 13 1/2" circumference
in metric 2.4 m / 34.3 cm
-------------------------------------
Second to flower: Pstem 7'5" / 12" circumference
in metric 2.3 m / 30.5 cm
-------------------------------------
Third to flower: Pstem 8'8" / 16" circumference
in metric 2.6 m / 40.6 cm
-------------------------------------
no flower yet:
Pstem 9'10" / 16 1/4" circumference
in metric 3.0 m / 41.3 cm

PR-Giants · 08-18-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpatelski

So based on pstem height vs circumference at 1 meter:

first to flower: Pstem 7'10" / 13 1/2" circumference
in metric 2.4 m / 34.3 cm
-------------------------------------
Second to flower: Pstem 7'5" / 12" circumference
in metric 2.3 m / 30.5 cm
-------------------------------------
Third to flower: Pstem 8'8" / 16" circumference
in metric 2.6 m / 40.6 cm
-------------------------------------
no flower yet:
Pstem 9'10" / 16 1/4" circumference
in metric 3.0 m / 41.3 cm

I don't grow the Orinoco, so I can't be of much help.

If you collect enough data, you should find that C@1m is a much better indicator of health and bunch size than is pseudostem height.

All of your C@1m seem very skinny.

I think Ed has an Orinoco getting ready to bloom and he should be fairly close to you.

Pre-Flag ?

Olafhenny · 08-19-2013, 07:39 PM

Hi Linda,

I have to agree with KJ, those are beautiful, clean looking plants.

Living in HZ6 I certainly do not grow any bananas to fruit, let alone having experience with
the Orinoco. But if it is true, what KJ suggests, that they are quite skinny for their height,
it may have something to do with their being close together and, fighting for light, they tend,
like most plants, to shoot upward. That may also account for the relatively small hands.

I grow bananas strictly for their, in these parts, exotic foliage and as such I appreciate the
graceful shape of your Orinocos.

Best,
Olaf

PR-Giants · 08-19-2013, 10:57 PM

My Hua Moa at 6' 9" had a C@1m of 16", six weeks later the C@1m was 23".

My Namwah was 9' 5" when it flowered with a C@1m of 22.5", which was skinny when compared to the pups.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olafhenny

it may have something to do with their being close together and, fighting for light, they tend,
like most plants, to shoot upward. That may also account for the relatively small hands.

I have no explanation for this, but my largest plants and bunches come when tightly packed (4' spacing) and heavily shaded.

I completely understand Olaf's point and would have agreed with it if I had not seen it with my own eyes.

Olafhenny · 08-20-2013, 01:16 AM

Thanks KJ, there is a lot to learn especially from Bananas, which grow outside of their
natural environment. Because Ornatas are quite small I have wintered a couple of them
near a window indoors, where they did quite well.

One of them had spent the last summer in my “tropical planter and was completely
overwhelmed by New Zealand Purple Castor Beans and Canna Australia. Out of sight, out of
mind it rotted away in the shade. After I brought it in the mother would not recover, but
sprouted two pups. They grew nicely, but when moved outside into full daylight they
deteriorated for a while, until they had grown accustomed to the bright light, and started
sprouting again,. – for a while. Then I believe the full sun shining on the pot “cooked” the
corm as the temperatures rose and it crumbled again, until I moved it into partial shade.
Now it is perking up once more.

The other one, with the pot shaded all the time and the leaves in sunshine, has meanwhile
grown into a beautiful plant. It is now taller than any of the ornatas I have seen abloom in
Vietnam, where I got mine from and it still is not showing any flag leaf. I am hoping, that it
will have a flower, before I have to bring it inside.

Olaf

PR-Giants · 08-20-2013, 10:28 AM

I cut down a tree in the jungle in order to make a hole in the canopy and planted 8 bananas in an 8' x 8' plot. I did not account for the trees to the North, South, and East being so much taller, so now I have huge plants growing on a 75 degree Westerly angle.

It looks a little odd, but they should be fine.

lpatelski · 09-28-2013, 12:10 PM

The answer is...11'6" in height and 18" at 1m. 09/27/13 I am in trouble with this late bloomer.

Abnshrek · 09-28-2013, 12:22 PM

If its an orinoco they can vary greatly.. The one's on the coast fruit from 5-7' w/o any care. The 6 pups I planted off my mat that fruited @ 12.5' last year are stacking hard (leave stacking) @ 5' since they are in depleted soil. My only wonder is if the shorter ones taste as good? :^)

Olafhenny · 09-28-2013, 01:21 PM

Hi Linda,

I have a similar problem with my Ornata, which is supposed to be a small indoor banana.

Instead of flaring out, as bananas, including Ornatas, usually do this one reaches straight up, from soil level >7feet.
Add to that the pot and things get ‘nip and tuck’ for my 10’ ceiling near the window and not even a flag leaf in sight.
The yellow ruler is 1m (40”)

Compare the above with this Ornata “at home" in a park in Vietnam and you will appreciate, why I am starting to wonder.

Abnshrek · 09-28-2013, 06:50 PM

Orinoco Stacking @ 4'.. :^)

Snookie · 09-28-2013, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

Orinoco Stacking @ 4'.. :^)

October 11th at 5:32pm:}

Abnshrek · 09-28-2013, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snookie

October 11th at 5:32pm:}

Is that a birthing guess? lol.. :^)

lpatelski · 11-03-2013, 04:35 PM

48 Orinoco bananas, and one more flowering to the side. How do I keep them from freezing? Bag them with the citrus anti-freeze blankets?

Olafhenny · 11-03-2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpatelski

48 Orinoco bananas, and one more flowering to the side. How do I keep them from freezing? Bag them with the citrus anti-freeze blankets?

Hi Linda,
that might help to -3^C (26^F) maybe even to -5^C (23^F) depending on how long the
cold spell will last, That should give you another month or so.

See my Experiment: How much cold can a banana take?.

These plants have been exposed to subfreezing temps for a full 10 hours, bottoming out
at at -3^C (26^F) and only the parts which were exposed to the wind were damaged.
I meanwhile chopped down the one plant, which was more damaged (see pictures in the
other thread) and put it into hibernation, but the one, which was protected by the castor
beans (and nothing else) still keeps on "growing" and will still live on until the next frost.

Good luck,
Olaf
PS: I have never used a citrus anti-freeze blanket, thus I have no idea, how much
protection one would add.

sunfish · 11-03-2013, 10:11 PM

Cold Protector

Cold Protector

Olafhenny · 11-03-2013, 10:40 PM

Tony,

that sounds pretty citrus-specific. Had anybody to your knowledge ever tried it on bananas
and other plants?

It may well be, that leaves of banana plants are not capable of absorbing that stuff.

The citrus, which I am trying to raise, the Fortunella japonica (Thunberg) Swingle is reputed
to be hardy to -10^C (14^F) that would be well below the protective range to 27^F (-3^C)
of Citrus Blanket. Would it have any effect there too?

sunfish · 11-03-2013, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olafhenny

Tony,

that sounds pretty citrus-specific. Had anybody to your knowledge ever tried it on bananas
and other plants?

It may well be, that leaves of banana plants are not capable of absorbing that stuff.

The citrus, which I am trying to raise, the Fortunella japonica (Thunberg) Swingle is reputed
to be hardy to -10^C (14^F) that would be well below the protective range to 27^F (-3^C)
of Citrus Blanket. Would it have any effect there too?

It's all new to me

08-18-2013, 04:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
lpatelski Location: Valdosta, GA. 31606 Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 8b : 15 to 20 (F) Name: L.Patelski Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 161 BananaBucks : 34,188 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 631 Times Was Thanked 206 Times in 93 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 210 Times	When will it flower? Measuring at the end of the pstem, two of my Orinocos flowered at 7'5" and 7'10"; they both have very small hands at about 9 fingers each. The one with the largest bunch flowered at 8'8". I keep thinking one of these will flower next. The tallest is 9'10" at the end of the pstem and the leaves reach up 7' above that. It shows no signs of letting up. Is it getting bigger in prep for a large flower? __________________ 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Growin’ a bunch Orinoco "Ice Cream" Namwah Williams hybrid FHIA 17 Dwarf NamWah

08-18-2013, 05:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
PR-Giants Commercial Grower Location: Florida & Greater Antilles Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,642 BananaBucks : 276 Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,930 Times Was Thanked 12,696 Times in 3,716 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3,215 Times	Re: When will it flower? Beautiful Plants Circumference at 1 meter and pseudostem height are useful indicators. __________________ PR-Giants Photo Gallery 15,000+ Varieties

08-18-2013, 08:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
lpatelski Location: Valdosta, GA. 31606 Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 8b : 15 to 20 (F) Name: L.Patelski Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 161 BananaBucks : 34,188 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 631 Times Was Thanked 206 Times in 93 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 210 Times	Re: When will it flower? So based on pstem height vs circumference at 1 meter: first to flower: Pstem 7'10" / 13 1/2" circumference in metric 2.4 m / 34.3 cm ------------------------------------- Second to flower: Pstem 7'5" / 12" circumference in metric 2.3 m / 30.5 cm ------------------------------------- Third to flower: Pstem 8'8" / 16" circumference in metric 2.6 m / 40.6 cm ------------------------------------- no flower yet: Pstem 9'10" / 16 1/4" circumference in metric 3.0 m / 41.3 cm __________________ 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Growin’ a bunch Orinoco "Ice Cream" Namwah Williams hybrid FHIA 17 Dwarf NamWah Last edited by lpatelski : 08-18-2013 at 08:35 PM.

08-19-2013, 07:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 253,286 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: When will it flower? Hi Linda, I have to agree with KJ, those are beautiful, clean looking plants. Living in HZ6 I certainly do not grow any bananas to fruit, let alone having experience with the Orinoco. But if it is true, what KJ suggests, that they are quite skinny for their height, it may have something to do with their being close together and, fighting for light, they tend, like most plants, to shoot upward. That may also account for the relatively small hands. I grow bananas strictly for their, in these parts, exotic foliage and as such I appreciate the graceful shape of your Orinocos. Best, Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

08-20-2013, 01:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 253,286 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: When will it flower? Thanks KJ, there is a lot to learn especially from Bananas, which grow outside of their natural environment. Because Ornatas are quite small I have wintered a couple of them near a window indoors, where they did quite well. One of them had spent the last summer in my “tropical planter and was completely overwhelmed by New Zealand Purple Castor Beans and Canna Australia. Out of sight, out of mind it rotted away in the shade. After I brought it in the mother would not recover, but sprouted two pups. They grew nicely, but when moved outside into full daylight they deteriorated for a while, until they had grown accustomed to the bright light, and started sprouting again,. – for a while. Then I believe the full sun shining on the pot “cooked” the corm as the temperatures rose and it crumbled again, until I moved it into partial shade. Now it is perking up once more. The other one, with the pot shaded all the time and the leaves in sunshine, has meanwhile grown into a beautiful plant. It is now taller than any of the ornatas I have seen abloom in Vietnam, where I got mine from and it still is not showing any flag leaf. I am hoping, that it will have a flower, before I have to bring it inside. Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

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08-20-2013, 10:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
PR-Giants Commercial Grower Location: Florida & Greater Antilles Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,642 BananaBucks : 276 Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,930 Times Was Thanked 12,696 Times in 3,716 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3,215 Times	Re: When will it flower? I cut down a tree in the jungle in order to make a hole in the canopy and planted 8 bananas in an 8' x 8' plot. I did not account for the trees to the North, South, and East being so much taller, so now I have huge plants growing on a 75 degree Westerly angle. It looks a little odd, but they should be fine. __________________ PR-Giants Photo Gallery 15,000+ Varieties

09-28-2013, 12:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
lpatelski Location: Valdosta, GA. 31606 Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 8b : 15 to 20 (F) Name: L.Patelski Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 161 BananaBucks : 34,188 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 631 Times Was Thanked 206 Times in 93 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 210 Times	Re: When will it flower? The answer is...11'6" in height and 18" at 1m. 09/27/13 I am in trouble with this late bloomer. __________________ 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Growin’ a bunch Orinoco "Ice Cream" Namwah Williams hybrid FHIA 17 Dwarf NamWah Last edited by lpatelski : 11-03-2013 at 04:30 PM. Reason: continue

09-28-2013, 12:22 PM	#10 (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 : 221,973 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,443 Times in 5,238 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: When will it flower? If its an orinoco they can vary greatly.. The one's on the coast fruit from 5-7' w/o any care. The 6 pups I planted off my mat that fruited @ 12.5' last year are stacking hard (leave stacking) @ 5' since they are in depleted soil. My only wonder is if the shorter ones taste as good? :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

09-28-2013, 01:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 253,286 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: When will it flower? Hi Linda, I have a similar problem with my Ornata, which is supposed to be a small indoor banana. Instead of flaring out, as bananas, including Ornatas, usually do this one reaches straight up, from soil level >7feet. Add to that the pot and things get ‘nip and tuck’ for my 10’ ceiling near the window and not even a flag leaf in sight. The yellow ruler is 1m (40”) Compare the above with this Ornata “at home" in a park in Vietnam and you will appreciate, why I am starting to wonder. __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

09-28-2013, 06:50 PM	#12 (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 : 221,973 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,443 Times in 5,238 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: When will it flower? Orinoco Stacking @ 4'.. :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

11-03-2013, 04:35 PM	#15 (permalink)
lpatelski Location: Valdosta, GA. 31606 Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 8b : 15 to 20 (F) Name: L.Patelski Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 161 BananaBucks : 34,188 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 631 Times Was Thanked 206 Times in 93 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 210 Times	Re: When will it flower? 48 Orinoco bananas, and one more flowering to the side. How do I keep them from freezing? Bag them with the citrus anti-freeze blankets? __________________ 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Growin’ a bunch Orinoco "Ice Cream" Namwah Williams hybrid FHIA 17 Dwarf NamWah

11-03-2013, 10:11 PM	#17 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,032,117 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: When will it flower? Cold Protector Cold Protector Last edited by sunfish : 11-03-2013 at 10:15 PM.

11-03-2013, 10:40 PM	#18 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 253,286 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: When will it flower? Tony, that sounds pretty citrus-specific. Had anybody to your knowledge ever tried it on bananas and other plants? It may well be, that leaves of banana plants are not capable of absorbing that stuff. The citrus, which I am trying to raise, the Fortunella japonica (Thunberg) Swingle is reputed to be hardy to -10^C (14^F) that would be well below the protective range to 27^F (-3^C) of Citrus Blanket. Would it have any effect there too? __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

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