View Full Version : Pruning pups from Ice Cream
I was going to leave the pups on here for another month. After watching Scot Nelsons video for the thousandth time I decided to remove all but the biggest pup to keep more energy in the mother and improve airflow around the plant. I got this plant soon after joining here last September fom Sandy. It was a7' plant cut down to about 30 inches for shipping, the postal system was kind to this one. Here's "before":
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=20784&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=20784&ppuser=4095)
For some reason the picture of the pups wouldn't load,the biggest was about 4' tall and made all that growth in no time flat maybe 5 weeks. There were 5 others from about 1' and up 4 which should do well. I was afraid they were draining excessive energy from the mother who I'm hoping will flower. Check out the base of the plant.........it makes me at least hopefull something good is going on "down there". Here's how it looks now, no air flow problems here.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=20780&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=20780&ppuser=4095)
The leaves taken from the lower portion of the mother will be wrapping tonights pork roast so a double thanks to Sandy0225
Jack Daw
08-08-2009, 04:31 PM
Has IC fruited for you, Bob?
No this is the first time I'm trying. Remember, I only joined here last September and started collecting after that. My biggest concern is the overwintering method........big dog(dormant) or in a large pot. I'm hoping and expect that I now have several plants that COULD flower next year.
Richard
08-08-2009, 04:49 PM
Routing out those pups took some effort!
Jack Daw
08-08-2009, 05:16 PM
No this is the first time I'm trying. Remember, I only joined here last September and started collecting after that. My biggest concern is the overwintering method........big dog(dormant) or in a large pot. I'm hoping and expect that I now have several plants that COULD flower next year.
Interesting. I wanted to try with smaller varieties first, like Dwarves, RP..., but this might be worth it. What sets me back big time is the ripening period. How do you want to manage that? I read somewhere that 5 to 7 months is the usual time before the fruit is edible.
I've seen similar high plant management on some basjoos planted north of here. They chop the plants after each 15th leaf to the P-stem height of apx. 1,5m. But the risk of demaging the flower bud is... very high, especially when the plant is old enough to fruit.
Have you given it a thought? I'm interested in hearing your opinion on this, it's essential in our climates.
I think about it all the time. The only thing we can do is hope it flowers very early and if need be make some season extending enclosures such as a plastic hoop house or some other structure. I've been giving away some of my other larger varieties(not all) and leaning towards dwarves as well. Veinte cohol is supposedly ready 2 months after flowering so this is a good option. Other than that we are at nature's mercy. If I am lucky enough one day to get a flower I'll be prepared for extreme measures.
Richard, I took the time to thoroughly sharpen my spade before digging. It was well worth it.
Jack Daw
08-08-2009, 05:25 PM
I think about it all the time. The only thing we can do is hope it flowers very early and if need be make some season extending enclosures such as a plastic hoop house or some other structure. I've been giving away some of my other larger varieties(not all) and leaning towards dwarves as well. Veinte cohol is supposedly ready 2 months after flowering so this is a good option. Other than that we are at nature's mercy. If I am lucky enough one day to get a flower I'll be prepared for extreme measures.
Richard, I took the time to thoroughly sharpen my spade before digging. It was well worth it.
If? When, my friend, when. :lurk:
You're right man........stay positive. Thanks.:woohoonaner:
bepah
08-08-2009, 05:39 PM
Fo what its worth:
I have IC in the yard. One is fruiting for me at thistime. I cut pup out about 3 timers a year, waiting for them to ber about 3 feet tall, or so.
I am in a Zone 9b and only fertilize with compost twice a year. They get water daily during warm weather and 1 or 2 times a week during cool weather (usually November to March).
I have so many pups, I cannot find homes for them and end up with more than I can possibly use.
My 9b is dryer than a 9b in FL or TX during the summer.
Cutting pups for IC is pretty easy. Dig in with a cutter close to the mother plant, then dig around the pup in order to preserve as many roots as possible. If you have no roots, don't worry. Get the pup into a pot of the appropriate size, and do not water for a few days, in order for the pup to callous, then being a watering program that gets it wet and then dries out.
I am getting about 90% success using this technique..
Good luck.
ewitte
08-08-2009, 08:14 PM
My 9b is dryer than a 9b in FL or TX during the summer..
doubtful this summer lol
Heater
08-08-2009, 08:18 PM
I am in a Zone 9b and only fertilize with compost twice a year. They get water daily during warm weather and 1 or 2 times a week during cool weather (usually November to March).
I have so many pups, I cannot find homes for them and end up with more than I can possibly use.
Good luck.
Send those unused pups to my house!! I have never had IC in my yard yet.
Patty in Wisc
08-08-2009, 09:01 PM
That is a tough decision Bob - grow inside or dormant. I've done Frank's method 2 winters ago. It will take some growing time away. Will it have high enough ceiling to grow in winter?
I often hear it takes 12 - 18 months of tropical or sub tropic weather to get a flower.
My friend in SC says his matures 3 - 4 months after flowering (where he can cut the stalk) & then more time to ripen which you could do in a garage or your porch.
If you bring it inside & it grows well, I hope you get a flower early next summer!
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