How to train your banana

[Ed62slow]

The last couple of years my banana decided to flower on the fence line causing me to lose some hands. Last year I tried pulling the trunk to give me room, but the fruit still rubbed when it was windy. This year the bloom was headed over the fence because of the trunk being so close to the fence. I had to intervene...I don't like losing fruit.

Day 1 is pulling the flower gently back upright toward your new location. Day 2 looks like day 1 you just add more pulling pressure. Day 3 and you have the goods.
Day 5 supporting flag leaf

A couple of pointers are that you can change the direction of the flop but after that you can't pull the flower stem more as it doesn't like to twist. Make sure you flop towards the crease of the leaf stems, like it naturally would. The only con I found from this is the flag leaf will break as it doesn't have the weight of the flower stem holding it in place (they both flop in the same direction). My tools for success are simple a rope for pulling and a nice soft microfiber towel for support. I was initially scared that I might hurt a couple hands doing this process but as of today 4 are showing with zero injury. Will post updates once all the hands appear.

[Akula]

That’s pretty neat. Thanks for sharing your technique.

[Ed62slow]

One month in and here they are, 8 hands and 100 + fingers. The bottom hand has enough room for swaying and growth without touching the fence. This is my biggest bunch ever and it would've been ruined by the fence...so stoked it worked.