View Full Version : Dwarf Cavendish - Help on Storm Damage
Neukman51
05-05-2009, 01:31 PM
Put my three year old Dwarf Cavendish outside too early this spring and it got hit by a very nasty thunderstorm storm with high winds (50+ mph). All existing central stem leaf growth was destroyed so I cut all the leaves off. Several pups were still in good shape.
Now the main stem is starting to go soft at the top, but is still firm at ground level. Should I cut the main stem back to near ground level and hope it sprouts something? Or, simply "write-off" the main stem and concentrate on saving the pups?
Bananaman88
05-05-2009, 02:03 PM
I'd suggest taking a saw or large knife and cutting the main pseudostem back about 2" at a time until you see good green growth in the center. If you see brown in the middle, keep cutting until you see green in the center. If the brown area (rot) goes all the way down then you may have no choice but to use your pups as replacements for the mother plant. This happens sometimes.
Patty in Wisc
05-05-2009, 09:46 PM
Brent is right. Just cut a couple inches at a time till you find all green.
I wouldn't cut any leaves off unless they were brown.
Neukman51
05-06-2009, 08:49 AM
Thanks for the advice. I've cut back about 4" to get to a completely green core on the main stem. The only reason I took off the leaves was that the thunderstorm had destoyed them (e.g. the leaf stems were busted up and hanging straight down along side the main stem).
We'll see what sprouts from the trimmed down stem. Good news is that the pups are healthy and starting to grow vigerously... so even if I lose the main stem, I'll still be able tp save the plant.
Neukman51
06-11-2009, 09:17 AM
Thanks to all for the advice and counsel... after 3 or 4 surgeries over as many weeks; I finally got to green heart growth and a new leave is beginning to sprout.
Photo attached (I hope)...
http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt331/Neukman51/DSC_0004C.jpg
Dalmatiansoap
06-11-2009, 09:23 AM
bravo!!!!
:woohoonaner:
fergus banana
06-11-2009, 10:12 AM
Nice job!
i have a cavendish battling root rot right now after an unsuccessful soil to hydroponic transition - i have him on life support. i hope mine pulls through. never give up on bananas!
Bananaman88
06-11-2009, 11:18 AM
Looks good. It should be fine from this point.
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2020, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.