island cassie

I don't know the facts on this - but I always assume that the energy that would have gone into producing endless male flowers, is better directed into the fruit that have set. So, when there is a clear length of stalk of about a foot or more below the last fruit, I cut the stalk next to the bud. Leaving this length lessens the chance of rot spreading up to the fruit if the stalk should rot, gives you something to hang the bunch by when ripe, and stops the mess on the ground that the male flowers and bracts leave behind. Others may have other ideas but this works for me.