View Full Version : 3rd time to fruit Ae Ae
Steve L
07-23-2013, 07:45 AM
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This is the third time that I have been able to fruit an Ae Ae. Last year, I fruited one at about 14 feet of pseudostem with 9 hands and 42 lbs. of fruit. I grew that one in full sun and it was a strong grower from the beginning. This current Ae Ae has only 8 feet of pseudostem and 7 hands but the hands don't contain nearly as many fingers as last year. I grew this one in mostly shade and I think that is why it fruited so short with not a lot of fruit. It has been in the ground 3 years.
Steve
bananimal
07-23-2013, 08:08 AM
Steve --- Good point about how much sun. The green in the leaves will grow the plant well with full sun. Too many folks try to baby the Ae Ae and wind up killing it when it gets cool. Doesn't matter if the white parts get burned a little.
Maybe this is why I lost 13 out of 16 pups last winter since the base of the 2 mats is always in the shade of the fence.
Last winter was way too cool for way too long. Doesn't affect the other mats. They all sucker like crazy.
All 4 mangos went thru 3 or 4 new leaf flushes and dropped the small fruits each time. All except the Glenn. Very aggressive variety that shot 4 taproots thru the pot and produced 2 doz excellent fruit from the first flush.
Steve L
07-23-2013, 09:01 AM
The white on the leaves burns when they are first exposed to full sun but after 3 or 4 more leaves come out, they don't burn nearly as much. It grows faster and produces more pups in full sun. The big enemy of this banana is the cold and wet weather in winter. I wrap the pseudostem when temps are going below freezing. The corm needs to be protected as well. It rots from the inside out during the cold and wet time so you have to keep a watchful eye and treat with a fungicide or sulfur powder to knock out the rot.
Steve
Abnshrek
07-23-2013, 09:49 AM
Looked much shorter than your last one.. Congrats.. :^)
Steve L
07-23-2013, 09:58 AM
Looked much shorter than your last one.. Congrats.. :^)
Like about 6 feet shorter.
Bananaman88
08-02-2013, 03:39 PM
Great job, Steve! I was just thinking earlier today that I needed to give you a call since we haven't talked lately. Hope you are doing well!
Steve L
08-02-2013, 03:52 PM
Hey Brent. All is well in Lake Charles. Just need some rain.
Bananaman88
08-03-2013, 09:59 AM
Same in Houston. We are about 10" below normal.
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