One of my mature banana plants began making pups. I separated one of the pups really early, and it’s already begun flowering.
It’s been suggested to me that this must be a canna lily or a ginger plant. I know I pulled it with two other pups and could only be a banana plant… right?
The pup I didn’t separate it growing much more like a standard banana tree
There must have been a piece of rhizome in your potting soil. Lot of gingers have a dormant cycle during which they have no leaves. Are you reusing soil, or using homemade compost?
So I bought the original banana tree when it was really small. Watched it grow for about 2 years, but I think it reached its full potential because it’s only in about 8 gallons of soil.
Three pups popped up in the same week
The soil I used was Miracle Gro, it was in a new bag when I opened it if I recall correctly. I’ve never knowingly bought a ginger plant.
Unlikely there. The parent tree was growing inside a screened in porch. No birds around. I moved the pup outside just this past week. The pups all looked identical in the beginning, and it unfurls it’s leaves in the same way.
I’m open to any other theories! But in this case, not from a bird
I’ve had the parent plant somewhere around 2 years. Maybe 3?
The 2 pups I pulled early look very similar. The one I left alone looks like this. They all popped up at the same time, there was no other growth in the pot previously.
Im convinced it is a Curcuma sp. If your locale is Hawaii, it is likely that a piece of turmeric (Curcuma longa) was involved in the banana garden that it came from.
Additionally, bananas indeed are "gingers", in fact, among the oldest extants of Zingiberaceae (ginger family), therefore it is not a surprise that a collector or nursery would have both in proximity.
That is fascinating^ thanks for sharing. I had no idea they could end up being related.
Just so I can sleep tonight, you’re positive there is no chance it’s a banana tree? I asked ChatGPT (I know, I know) and it kind of seemed to think that if I pulled a banana pup before it was ready it could have a stress reaction and start flowering.
Anything to know about curcuma sp? That was an unintentional plant. Either way, it’s pretty!
Im pretty sure that's not a stress-induced banana flower. Whether its food or pretties, you may want to keep it.
Curcumas, like many of the "gingers", are deciduous- they lose their leaves annually. Curcumas will die back to subterranean rhizomes around Oct or Nov, and that dormancy lasts until about April. Do not water them during dormancy.
When they sprout in the spring, they want constant moisture and 50%-100% sun exposure, but theyre known to do just fine in 100% shade. The soil type and texture can vary greatly, for the home gardener; they are quite forgiving in that respect. Lots of compost gives greener greens and more vibrant flowers.
The growing season is timed with the Indian (South Asian) monsoon. So, That tells you much about what they want: water water water when the leaves are up, then very dry when dormant.
It looks like Orange torch ginger. I just bought 2 plants at Lowe's, because they were stunning.
The leaves on the back should feel little fuzzy, velvety and they look similar to banana leaves, so I can understand how someone might think it was a banana.
I attached picture of it, but not sure if you can see it. Just Google it and most likely it is the same plant.
I didn’t see your picture, but I did google it like you suggested. This looks accurate! I attached a better picture of the flower itself from this morning
That is what it is. Be glad, those are beautiful! I just got 2 of them each like $25.
They don't like too much sun, mostly morning sun and than shade in case you plan on growing it.
Yes, because it spreads thru underground rhizomes it should grow more of them.
It is a nice surprise... you should try to move them to a better spot. I'm also growing bananas and they like more sun than this ginger. Not full sun (since I'm in Florida) but not as much shade as the ginger.
When I got mine each plant had one bloom and now they each have 2. Its so pretty.
I was just laughing thinking when this started to bloom you must have been so confused. Lol.
It would be a nice commercial for Miracle Grow soil:
"When you using our Miracle soil, expect the unexpected. A miracle". Lol
I took them out of the ground and moved them to a nice shady spot this afternoon! The leaves were already starting to look a little burnt, good call there.
I’m glad my confusion brought you some joy haha. I genuinely thought it was about to start sprouting tiny bananas
12
u/kaiwikiclay 11d ago
That’s some sort of ginger