View Full Version : too much weight
manevets
07-01-2013, 08:50 PM
I'm in SW FL growing dwarf cavendish outside. My problem is, aside from having too many bananas (7 stalks, gotta be 1,000 bananas). The first one to fruit started to lean as they grew bigger and eventually snapped. I had to use a hacksaw to cut it out. The bunch of bananas has to weight 50 pounds. I don't think they were ready to be harvested, so I have them inside where it's 78d and I have them sitting up on a chair with good airflow, in a shaded area. I'll give it a week and see what happens. I have another one leaning. I was going to buy a couple of 2x3's and make a support brace but now a third is starting to lean. This all started from a 2 inch plant a few years ago, I moved it to the back yard from a large pot out on the lanai. It fruited once in the pot but they didn't make it to maturity. I have 2 questions. Is there a better way to go about supporting the tree. Perhaps somehow putting a band around the stalks to give them more strength. Like united we stand, divided we fall?. And does anyone know of a large banana hanger that can hold the whole bunch of bananas, about 3 feet long and up to 65 pounds or more? Thanks!
Steve
sunfish
07-01-2013, 09:23 PM
Grow the dwarf variety most do not need supporting
crazy banana
07-02-2013, 12:25 AM
I am using 1.5" PVC pipe with two 2 T-shaped pieces on the top sides and a 45 degree elbow in the middle all on a padded rope. Inflorescence rests on the elbow and gets support right there. Will try to take a photo for you tomorrow, but I saw this at Encanto farms.
crazy banana
07-02-2013, 01:22 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53557&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53557&ppuser=13376)http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53558&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53558&ppuser=13376)
Here you go....
Olafhenny
07-02-2013, 04:47 PM
I second "Crazy's" (sorry, he did not leave his first name :ha: ) suggestion of using PVC irrigation
pipe instead of 2 x 4s or other lumber. It is easily stuck together (no glue!) and disassembled. Pipe
and fittings can be re-used, when different configuration is required and it is cheaper than lumber..
Good luck,
Olaf
manevets
07-02-2013, 07:07 PM
crazy banana, can you take a wider pic showing the entire tree. Does this go around the tree, does it go in the ground?. I tried to get a pic today between downpours, as soon as I can get one from the phone to the computer I'll post one.
sunfish
07-02-2013, 07:23 PM
http://www.bananas.org/f2/got-fruit-do-i-support-when-16467.html#post202653
http://www.bananas.org/f2/support-good-12058.html#post135000
http://www.bananas.org/f2/banana-tree-support-9591.html#post96816
crazy banana
07-02-2013, 07:42 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53559&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53559&ppuser=13376)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53561&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53561&ppuser=13376)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53560&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53560&ppuser=13376)
Here you go..., just plain 1.5" PVC pipe. It does not go around the tree, the top pieces build the bridge between the two legs and they are on a thin rope loosely hanging around the top of the banana plant (see 2nd picture in earlier post) to give it some stability in case of wind.
Bottom can be adjusted to the length you need. My plant in the photo is a Blue Java and the inflorescence height is at about 12'.
Jon from Encanto farms even recommends the 2" pipe for more stability which might be a good idea for you in case of Florida hurricanes.
crazy banana
07-02-2013, 07:44 PM
I second "Crazy's" (sorry, he did not leave his first name :ha: ) suggestion of using PVC irrigation
pipe instead of 2 x 4s or other lumber. It is easily stuck together (no glue!) and disassembled. Pipe
and fittings can be re-used, when different configuration is required and it is cheaper than lumber..
Good luck,
Olaf
"Crazy banana" is just fine and hits the nail on the head.....:ha:
PR-Giants
07-02-2013, 07:58 PM
2 x 4's are much stronger, cheaper, and easier to adjust for plants of different heights.
I drill a few 1/2" holes spaced about a foot apart at the end each board, and use a 3" piece of 1/2" rebar as a pin to form an "X".
The pin and/or legs can be moved to adjust for height.
Simple, cheap, and strong.
The plastic tubes are too weak to be used in windy areas and have always seemed silly to me.
Abnshrek
07-02-2013, 08:12 PM
2 x 4's are much stronger, cheaper, and easier to adjust for plants of different heights.
I drill a few 1/2" holes spaced about a foot apart at the end each board, and use a 3" piece of 1/2" rebar as a pin to form an "X".
The pin and/or legs can be moved to adjust for height.
Simple, cheap, and strong.
The plastic tubes are too weak to be used in windy areas and have always seemed silly to me.
:pics:
manevets
07-02-2013, 08:25 PM
Thanks, I'll have to make a trip to home depot.
sunfish
07-02-2013, 08:31 PM
:pics:
X
BigBananaBoy
07-03-2013, 12:58 AM
X3 :lurk:
X
PR-Giants
07-03-2013, 09:00 AM
X
It's nice to see that someone can visualize an "X" without the need of a photo.
PR-Giants
07-03-2013, 09:03 AM
:pics:
I can see how an "X" is confusing, but I can assure you this was not an attempt to forge your signature.
:ha::ha::ha:
I use pins because no tools are needed to adjust, but a nail can be used instead.
Nicolas Naranja
07-03-2013, 10:20 AM
If you look around on youtube at the various ways the commercial plantations do it you will be amazed. Some have cables that they attach to and others will string together plants.
sunfish
07-03-2013, 03:01 PM
Someone better Email the commercial plantations and tell them they are using the wrong support apparatus
Dalmatiansoap
07-03-2013, 04:14 PM
X3 :lurk:
XXX?
:2738:
Abnshrek
07-03-2013, 10:22 PM
It's nice to see that someone can visualize an "X" without the need of a photo.
You post pictures of everything else why quit now.. :^)
dinker
07-03-2013, 11:24 PM
that is verry cute and he looks like enjoys his job
PR-Giants
08-30-2013, 11:43 AM
:pics:
You post pictures of everything else why quit now.. :^)
:03: :waving: :03:
Assembly required - instructions are not.
2 pieces of structural pine and a pin.
http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae272/keithpr1/2x4-Pin_zpsbb47e20d.jpg (http://s979.photobucket.com/user/keithpr1/media/2x4-Pin_zpsbb47e20d.jpg.html)
Assembed contraption in closed storage mode.
http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae272/keithpr1/2x4Closed_zpsa339fa12.jpg (http://s979.photobucket.com/user/keithpr1/media/2x4Closed_zpsa339fa12.jpg.html)
Assembed contraption in ready for use mode.
http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae272/keithpr1/2x4Open_zps8cb4f6e8.jpg (http://s979.photobucket.com/user/keithpr1/media/2x4Open_zps8cb4f6e8.jpg.html)
Casper Jansen
06-01-2015, 04:43 PM
Hey there,
I know this is an old thread, so thats probably why clicking on the above pictures is not working. However I am interested in knowing anyone with experience of reinforcing their b.tree. My special problem is that I have about 100 trees in need of support due to the approaching rainy season which comes with heavy winds. Additional problem is that I live in the bush in Mali so a trip to the home depot is out of the question. All available is bamboo of about 5 meters, but rather thin. Who has a good solution?
subsonicdrone
06-02-2015, 07:30 PM
if you think the bamboo is too weak use bundles of bamboo and make the
X as described above but use rope to tie the bundles in the x shape
wrap around the bundles, then wrap the rope around itself to tighten
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