Luckily it’s mostly cold enough to not grow at all during the less sunny times of year, and it seems to be pretty tight spacing between leaves that grow in summer, so far at least:
One interesting thing was that the first two leaves that grew this spring, which presumably had formed in the p-stem over the winter, were the saddest little skinny things:
But after that they just kept getting bigger and bigger. Here’s the most recently unfurled leaf, likely the last one to fit under the rafters:
The close packing is characteristic of the D. Cavendish and most other dwarfs. “Stretching” was a poor choice of words on my part - “more height” would be better.
The Cavendishes and other “AAA” genetic cultivars all have relatively wide leaves.
Great job @swincher! Glad this thread came alive again. I kinda put banana plants away last couple years. This year got another DC and still have a few manzano pups growing nice. From what I have seen, in person, on here nad bananas.org over the years. expect 7-8 feet. you will see a flag leaf.
Some sad news, my Dwarf Cavendish suddenly died over the last few weeks. I noticed today that it seemed shorter than before, and upon closer inspection it was clear the entire plant was already dead from the corm up.
Here was mid-January:
Two weeks ago:
And today:
The center is brown and rotten:
Even the pups all suddenly died:
As I cut down further, it smelled sickly, like it was fermenting almost:
Oh well!
Thank you for sharing that again! I have a copy and was trying to follow the guidance closely.
I’m guessing the colder winter this year made it more susceptible to some kind of pathogen in the soil.
It’s also possible there’s a perched water table at a deep enough depth that it isn’t bothering the avocado and citrus trees, but close enough to cause a problem for the banana. Based on geological maps, I know there’s an impermeable glacial clay layer at some depth below the subsoil, but I’ve never dug deep enough to encounter it.
The area of improved soil around the planting was watered regularly, but tested as being low-medium moisture between waterings, and the plant seemed healthy and happy until about a month ago when it began a rapid decline.
If my blue Java puts out a pup this spring I would be glad gift it to you. Mine is on the start of year 3. It has produced “gift” pups both of the springs I have had it.
I leave it outside on the deck until just about first frost. Then cut it down to about 12”. Last winter and this winter; it seems like it. Don’t know if that fits any protocol but seems to keep it going. It goes dormant for about 8 weeks and then regrows like a champ. I throw it on top of a warm aquarium in the winter where it gets to share the lights.
You bet.
@swincher , That sucks! they are not as hardy as others. I just got back from Thailand, I checked on my in ground apple banana all the leaves are gone like before i left almost a month ago…but it hasn’t died back too much I will chop the top like you did.
Chances are if the roots haven’t rotted it may send up pups when it warms up which should be soon for you!
It looks pretty rotten, so I doubt it will sprout, but I’m waiting until I decide what else to put in that spot before I dig up the corm. I’m thinking maybe melons, but not sure if they may be susceptible to the same pathogens.
I grew ‘icebox’ watermelons undercover for the first time last year and was delighted with six
2-lb watermelon minies. Great for shading ground to maintain moisture and went to town in full sun, rich soil, and warm temperatures. Your kids would love to watch their progress.
I bought mine as nursery transplants last year but this year I’m starting from seed. Would be happy to send you a few seeds of each if you’d like.
I already have a few watermelon starts going (the “Jadu’i” Palestinian melon), so I’ll probably just use those, but I’ll reach out for seeds if they don’t survive transplanting!
Read the backstory on Jadu’l melon, 'Small Jadu'i' Watermelon – Experimental Farm Network Seed Store. Great project!
The base is very solid here. Still I will chop back and see what the middle looks like! this is from yesterday afternoon.
That’s a happy looking mango next to it, too!
Thanks, yeah that and the carrie mango were doing just fine over winter. A lot warmer then last winter!
You’re good, I think! I dug out the corm today, and mine is D E D, dead. The pups had some promising color, so I cut one open with a shovel. It was softer than it should have been and appears to be full of mycelia:
I also may have solved the mystery of why it seemed over-watered, even though I very rarely watered it recently. Last season, it sent large roots around the root balls of all three in-ground trees (a citrus and two avocados).
I had been watering those trees a lot recently because they were pushing a spring flush, and seemed thirsty since the soil moisture was staying persistently low around them, even while the banana didn’t seem to need water. Now I know why! The banana was stealing their water, albeit to its own detriment. Hopefully balance has been restored.
I’m sorry to see that happen. Glad you figured it out though.
Raised beds are a good idea too. If it happens again.
Wow, I was just looking back on when that banana was put in. It was planted Sept 27! For it to be that late and survive our winter I am very impressed! It’s an apple banana btw , hardy to zone 8.
