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View Full Version : Too late to prune?


TracyNC1
02-14-2009, 10:30 AM
Hi everyone! I recently moved to NC (zone 7) from MN (zone3). I'm happy to see that my red abs. banana survived the winter in iffy conditions (dark outside closet attached to house, much warmer than recommended). However, it has about 3' of old stem with new growth coming out of the top. I'm wondering if I can cut it back closer to the ground without killing it, or did I miss my chance last fall? It is in a container, so a shorter/neater look would be nice if possible.

I'm starting to leave the closet door open during the day, closing it overnight, to give the banana light since it is actively growing.

Thanks for any help!

dablo93
02-14-2009, 02:07 PM
zone 3 is cold!:O
but i dont understand why you want to cut it down, it is almost spring so its not bad that there is already a litlle growth;)

TracyNC1
02-14-2009, 02:17 PM
Is it bad for me to admit that the base looks untidy with old leaf remnants? It looked so pretty when the leaves came right out of the bottom, but due to our move and zone 3 weather, it lost a lot of its lower leaves. If it is better to leave it, I'll do that!

Michael_Andrew
02-15-2009, 10:36 AM
Hi Tracy. I don't consider myself an expert especially enste but I think you can pretty much wack em off anytime and be safe. No one was giving you an answer so maybe if I chime in someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

TracyNC1
02-15-2009, 03:46 PM
Thanks - it looked that way from my previous searches but I didn't want to gamble with my favorite plant. After looking at the stem today, I'm wondering if I could achieve the same goal just by peeling off all the old/dead leaves completely? They are completely brown, very thick, and filled with water. I tried to remove them, but I was only able to trim them back a bit due to how thick they were. Maybe a knife is the best tool for such a job, as long as I could be sure not to cut into the main trunk?

Patty in Wisc
02-17-2009, 12:04 AM
Tracy, all nana plants have some brown on them - it's normal. Mine is growing inside & when a leaf dies I cut it off. Then the 'stub' of that leaf turns brown & if I want it to look nicer, I cut the brown off. Only take off/cut was is brown. If they are full of water they will just rot off. You sure you're not overwatering?
I wouldn't worry so much about the brown. Look at pics of other nanas - esp ones planted outdoors - the leaves are all tattered, but it's OK!