Quote:
Originally Posted by Gabe15
The plant will need the leaves to fill out the fruit, so I wouldn't cut them off, but perhaps if you make a slit down the side of the pseudostem to allow the bunch to plop out of the pseudostem a bit, it would allow some extra room for the fruit to develop.
There is a cultivar in Hawaii called 'Mai'a Hapai', which means "pregnant banana". It is known for having the bunches choke midway in the pseudostem, creating a large bulge and making the plant look like it's pregnant. In order for the fruit to develop when this happens, a "c-section" must be performed by cutting a slit in the pseudostem and allowing the bunch to fall out of the side. Perhaps a similar job will work for you.
Musa Mai'a Hapai - Bananas Wiki |
I was about to suggest the same. I would make a vertical cut on the side maybe 8" down. Do it carefully, 1 layer at a time and make sure you stop before the bud. It should help the flower get out of the stem. If not, make a couple more cuts. Congrats.