View Full Version : First banana tree sucker. What type?
While fertilizing my nanas today I noticed the first sucker from my first trees. I'd like to keep only one offspring from each of my 3 trees due to limited space.
I don't know if the sucker is a sword or just a regular one. Is it too small to tell yet?
http://i.imgur.com/jtTF5It.jpg
sputinc7
07-12-2017, 02:34 PM
It is a sword, but wait... sometimes the first one is not the strongest one. I would keep 2, anyway.
It is a sword, but wait... sometimes the first one is not the strongest one. I would keep 2, anyway.
Ok I'll wait.
Keep 2 sword offsprings on each nana tree? I don't think I have the room for more than one offspring of each.
http://i.imgur.com/zeC6Izq.jpg
chris_zx2
07-12-2017, 05:20 PM
Ok I'll wait.
Keep 2 sword offsprings on each nana tree? I don't think I have the room for more than one offspring of each.
You're in FL, just wait till its a foot tall then decide. They do better when attached to the mother while young.
You're in FL, just wait till its a foot tall then decide. They do better when attached to the mother while young.
Yeah, I want to keep one attached growing off the mama. After the mama fruits, I'll chop it down and let that growing attached pup become the replacement.
I don't want to try leaving two pups attached because I think they will be too confined in that available space.
sputinc7
07-12-2017, 06:12 PM
Those are looking good!
I guess my thinking is that many times, one starts growing up and once it is several feet tall the next one comes up, even though it was always there. More of a neverending supply kind of thinking. Then you have one fruiting, one 2/3 the way there and one a foot or so tall...
I do see your dilemma with the room and all...
Those are looking good!
I guess my thinking is that many times, one starts growing up and once it is several feet tall the next one comes up, even though it was always there. More of a neverending supply kind of thinking. Then you have one fruiting, one 2/3 the way there and one a foot or so tall...
I do see your dilemma with the room and all...
That makes total sense and kind of what I'm looking for. Always have the next gen growing. If that's a viable method then I'm game.
Having the main plant and 2 pups of decreasing size as you explained might work. I'd like to avoid a pup that is too large early on maybe retarding the growth or fruit production of the mama. I don't know if that is a legitimate concern though. Space being the other limiting factor too.
A side question for you. I see your up in Palm Bay. Any idea if nana's grow well in the Vero Beach area? My brother just moved up there and I'd like to give him extra pups If I have them. Mine trees are Pisang Ceylon, hua moa and Apple.
sputinc7
07-12-2017, 08:32 PM
Vero beach is zone 10A so most any type should do well, unless there's a hurricane. I am in 9B here. Only a few degrees difference.
Kegas76
07-13-2017, 12:22 PM
http://i.imgur.com/zeC6Izq.jpg
Am I the only one seeing some rippling in the 3 newest leaves and a midrib twist in the last full leaf?
I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so someone else please chime in. Perhaps a small dose of boron+calcium?
Juicy Bananas
07-13-2017, 01:23 PM
Yes, boron. The first photos suggests this. The sheath s are pulling away from the pstem.
Am I the only one seeing some rippling in the 3 newest leaves and a midrib twist in the last full leaf?
I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so someone else please chime in. Perhaps a small dose of boron+calcium?
Now u have me curious. I've been fertilizing them monthly with Fruit/Banana Fuel which does contain boron+calcium. The plants have grown profusely since their previous drink of fert so they may be lacking some atm. I did fertilize them again yesterday with a greater amount proportionate to their current size so that may help if there is indeed an issue with malnutrition.
Some closeups of the leaves:
http://i.imgur.com/0eFLF4A.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/7YrSIYb.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/eYVBumN.jpg
I might have a worm/caterpillar starting to chew on the plant again. If that's the case I'll give it a quick douse of Bug-b-Gone and that will take care of it.
Yes, boron. The first photos suggests this. The sheath s are pulling away from the pstem.
Hmm. I figured they where just falling off due to being the oldest leaves on the plant.
Update: I took a closer look and found the newest growth is being chomped on again by caterpillars so I sprayed them. I hate those things.
Richard
07-14-2017, 12:45 AM
While fertilizing my nanas today I noticed the first sucker from my first trees.
Bananas are not trees.
I've got a t least 3 new suckers growing out of my two largest nanas. I'll post pics of them in a few days. I want to leave one growing on each plant and remove the rest to give away.
So I want to determine which pups to keep and eliminate. They say the 1st sword is not the best.
I'm going to keep only one on each plant for now.
This image shows the first sword I got (large one in center) that is pictured at the start of this thread. There are 2 more now but I'm not sure they are swords.
Once I get better at recognizing each type I wont need to ask for such help.
Keep one or eliminate all?
http://i.imgur.com/XjLCBVy.jpg
This is my other nanas pups.
Are any swords?
Keep one or eliminate them?
http://i.imgur.com/ZnzkB26.jpg
Gabe15
07-22-2017, 01:23 PM
They are all sword suckers, I would make your determination of which to keep by pruning those more towards the inside of your circle, that way the mats will radiate outwards.
They are all sword suckers, I would make your determination of which to keep by pruning those more towards the inside of your circle, that way the mats will radiate outwards.
Good advice. Thx
Richard
07-22-2017, 05:47 PM
I don't know if the sucker is a sword or just a regular one. Is it too small to tell yet?
The sword vs. sucker labeling is folklore. Just water and fertilize regularly and it will be fine.
http://growingfruit-images.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/3X/e/d/ed06524584a2fa19133ea8396b49af11a1825ad1.pdf
Deadon2
07-22-2017, 11:52 PM
Anything popping up in the mat, near the mother tree, is a sword. Once you transplant it, it wont do much until it establishes its own mat. That takes about a year. I would guess it would be the same for a sucker.
Zacarias
07-23-2017, 04:46 AM
Are we sure it's not overfertilization that's wrinkling/rippling on the leaves?
Are we sure it's not overfertilization that's wrinkling/rippling on the leaves?
I've been following a guideline gimentioned to me by Richard.
I'm Fertilizing once a month. Last time I fertilized a couple weeks ago. I filled 5 gal bucket with water, 1/3 cup of Fruit/Banana Fuel. I split those 5 gallons between the two large plants. Gave the small one a gallon or so.
Maybe Richard could chime in about my dosing.
sputinc7
07-23-2017, 09:57 AM
I can tell you from personal experience that over fertilizing can cause that, especially potassium.
I can tell you from personal experience that over fertilizing can cause that, especially potassium.
Well I guess I could reduce the concentration. But once a month is the recommended frequency.
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