About 18 months ago we landscaped our yard and added 2 Red Banana palms. They were about 6 ft tall when we planted. One grew to about 18 ft and the other only about 12. We live in southern california so they did pretty well through the winter. The winds tear them up pretty good, but they are pretty hardy and have come back without issue.
But something unusual happened this fall. The larger plant grew a massive flower-type head and seems to have stopped growing. It's fairly large (about 18 in dia) on a long stalk from the center of the tree. I've left it on to this point, but it is now softening and I don't see any new leaf growth.
Should this be taken off? If so, where? Should I take all of the leaves down short?
None of the folks I've talked to have ever seen this before. Any help would be appreciated.
