View Full Version : When to cut off the male flowering part.
lpatelski
07-13-2013, 10:42 AM
:lurk:I am sure there is no science to this, but I imagine there are plenty of opinions.
How far down the flower stalk do you allow the male flowering part to go before you cut it off?
Six inches, One foot, two feet?
http://i856.photobucket.com/albums/ab122/spatelski/P7130185.jpg (http://s856.photobucket.com/user/spatelski/media/P7130185.jpg.html)
I am sure mine can be cut off at this point, but can you cut it off too soon or too late? I also read that leaving it on can cause disease to spread.
What is the best distance or time?:waving:
venturabananas
07-13-2013, 10:55 AM
There actually is some science behind cutting off the male bud or leaving it on. Some studies show no benefit, others show a slight benefit. Whether it is worthwhile at all will depend on the variety and the environment. But cutting it off certainly isn't a requirement to get ripe bananas.
sunfish
07-13-2013, 11:39 AM
1'6"
PR-Giants
07-13-2013, 02:09 PM
When & Where
I recently read a study that showed dramatic increases in bunch weight after removing the male bud. The attention to detail in this study was also quite impressive.
I'm testing it, so I'll know soon enough.
crazy banana
07-13-2013, 03:58 PM
When & Where
I recently read a study that showed dramatic increases in bunch weight after removing the male bud. The attention to detail in this study was also quite impressive.
I'm testing it, so I'll know soon enough.
I would be interested in it. Can you post a link to it? Thank you.
Worm_Farmer
07-13-2013, 04:06 PM
My personal experience with cutting off the male bud has been bad. It seems like every time I cut off the bud the stalk will start to rot all the way up to the fruit causing the hands to drop off before they turn yellow. In turn I no longer cut the buds off.
lpatelski
07-13-2013, 04:19 PM
Thank you Worm_Farmer,
South Georgia is very wet right now and I do not want to cause the stem to rot. I may try to cut it off at a 45 degree angle and dab the wound with tree wound goo to keep out pathogens.
Nicolas Naranja
07-13-2013, 04:35 PM
I cut mine off early. l'll take the bud and last hand or two on Nam wah.
PR-Giants
07-13-2013, 05:35 PM
I would be interested in it. Can you post a link to it? Thank you.
I'll probably post after I have the results, I prefer to verify it first.
bananimal
07-13-2013, 05:59 PM
I cut it off flush to the bunch as soon as the last hand has emerged. My weather is dry enough to do this and not worry about fungus. And if, say, the last 1 or 2 hands have runty fingers I cut just before the first runty after it shows itself.
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