Ever seen a banana in bloom?

[yug]

That information is correct. Only one bloom, one bunch of fruit (unless it is a double mahoi), and then the main plant dies, and one or more of the 'pups' take over. Just prior to the bunch emerging, it puts up a 'flag' leaf to let you know the flower is coming.

[Fuerte Rav]

Originally Posted by yug

Just prior to the bunch emerging, it puts up a 'flag' leaf to let you know the flower is coming.

Hi Yug
Could you expand on this 'flag leaf' please? It's not something I've noticed or was aware of. TIA.

[yug]

Originally Posted by Fuerte Rav

Hi Yug
Could you expand on this 'flag leaf' please? It's not something I've noticed or was aware of. TIA.

Well, the flag leaf is the last leaf to emerge before the flower bud pushes through. The bud may be green, yellow, orange, red, or dark-red. A flag leaf is highly variable, but the ones I've seen are sometimes shaped like a regular leaf, but only about 1/3 the size or smaller. Other flag leaves hardly show any 'blade' at all above the cone covering the emerging flower bud.

Flag leaf is the smaller one leaning to the right.


Flag leaf is the smaller one in the center.


Flag leaf actually attached to the top of the emerging bud.


Flag leaf just to the right of emerging bud.


Pointed top of flower bud emerging.


An ordinary leaf emerges looking like a long rolled up tube (we call them cigar leaves), and once it has attained the proper length, it unrolls into a normal leaf. Each banana will continue pushing up 'cigar' leaves until that last one; the flag leaf emerges followed by the bud. The bud will curve over on one side or the other and begin to open.

Normal 'cigar' leaf on a young banana


Hope that clears it up, unless you have more questions.

[Fuerte Rav]

Thank you very much for such a comprehensive reply, I much appreciate your efforts. I must keep a closer eye on my next plant that comes to fruit!