The banana tree has a small shoot. I have no idea what to do with it or if I should leave it alone.

Don't know, either Raquel, but there is a banana page on Goypedia Click on the "Featured on: musa" link which is now to right of this pic, to visit it. Perhaps, you may find something among the questions and answers there, but cannot remember offhand, myself. Otherwise, I am sure that members such as Delonix1 or Mushybanna would not mind you PMing them for advice. Good Luck!! :-))

It's actually not a banana, Raquel. It's a Giant Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai). The leaves look like a banana, but they only come out in two directions, while banana leaves come out all around the "stem".

Thanks David, I will definitely do that!

No way, Tugbrethil!! A Giant Bird of Paradise...how cool is that??!! But mine has never flowered....?? My mom gave me this as a gift from the 99 cent store - it was just one leaf in a very small pot - and it grew into the plant I have today...she will be thrilled to hear it's a Giant Bird of Paradise. I will have to look that up and learn more about it!

I just saw the musa (why is it called musa??) page and I can see the difference between those banana trees and my own plant. Hmmm! How embarrassing, given that my grandfather had banana trees on his farm!! Now to look up Giant Bird of Paradise.... =) (I thought the leaves were a bit sparse BUT I thought it being in a pot made it like that...and you're right Tugbrethil, the leaves only come out in two directions, or rather, straight up, and then "lean" either to the left or the right...!)

You may have to wait a bit for blooms, Raquel. They have to grow to about 12 feet tall before flowering!

Oh no!! I doubt it will ever grow that tall in a pot...oh well...at least I know what it is!! =)

Ah, this has been very interesting. Raquel, I've moved this pic from the Goypedia "Musa" page to the "Bird of Paradise" page now, lol!! Good Luck with your Strelitzia!