sharpstick

(yeah, I know they aren't really trees)
I've had 3 out of 4 trees with fruit stalks recently break about halfway up the trunk. I think one of them was from a thunderstorm, but most seemed to be for no apparent reason. I carefully propped the tops up on barrels so the circulation was hopefully still possible and the fruit stalks were off the ground. A couple were able to complete ripening, but one of them was too damaged and the top and stalk dried up and died.
A couple times, the tree was leaning precariously and I supported it with ropes tied to nearby trees. I think keeping it all the way vertical prevented falling over or breaking. Maybe I should make a splint to tie the entire trunk too next time?
I don't know what varieties they are, but they are large and small fruit, trees were about ten to fifteen feet tall.
Tampa Florida USA (It has been a rainy summer here)

pitangadiego

Propping it the highest point of the flower stalk works really well. The tripod made by the two legs and the banana trunk is very stable.

Even if the stalk gets folded, as long as there is any connection in the flower stem they will still ripen. The more you move them, the greater the chance the remaining connection will be severed.

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sharpstick

Do you do this after it breaks, or try to put one on all fruiting trees?

Mark Dragt

I think it is growers choice. If you grow plants that tend to toppling or breaking I would say yes. High wind = yes. Short plants in a sheltered area I would say no. So many variables. Plant height, brunch size, weather, soil, and so on. The above picts are the best I have seen. Cheap and very easy to use. Very effective. Easy to reuse. If there was a "This Is How You Do It" thread, the two picts above would be in it.

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Mark's Banana Forest Paradise