First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

While fertilizing my nanas today I noticed the first sucker from my first trees. I'd like to keep only one offspring from each of my 3 trees due to limited space.

I don't know if the sucker is a sword or just a regular one. Is it too small to tell yet?

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

It is a sword, but wait... sometimes the first one is not the strongest one. I would keep 2, anyway.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Ok I'll wait.

Keep 2 sword offsprings on each nana tree? I don't think I have the room for more than one offspring of each.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

You're in FL, just wait till its a foot tall then decide. They do better when attached to the mother while young.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Yeah, I want to keep one attached growing off the mama. After the mama fruits, I'll chop it down and let that growing attached pup become the replacement.

I don't want to try leaving two pups attached because I think they will be too confined in that available space.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Those are looking good!
I guess my thinking is that many times, one starts growing up and once it is several feet tall the next one comes up, even though it was always there. More of a neverending supply kind of thinking. Then you have one fruiting, one 2/3 the way there and one a foot or so tall...

I do see your dilemma with the room and all...

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

That makes total sense and kind of what I'm looking for. Always have the next gen growing. If that's a viable method then I'm game.

Having the main plant and 2 pups of decreasing size as you explained might work. I'd like to avoid a pup that is too large early on maybe retarding the growth or fruit production of the mama. I don't know if that is a legitimate concern though. Space being the other limiting factor too.

A side question for you. I see your up in Palm Bay. Any idea if nana's grow well in the Vero Beach area? My brother just moved up there and I'd like to give him extra pups If I have them. Mine trees are Pisang Ceylon, hua moa and Apple.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Vero beach is zone 10A so most any type should do well, unless there's a hurricane. I am in 9B here. Only a few degrees difference.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Am I the only one seeing some rippling in the 3 newest leaves and a midrib twist in the last full leaf?

I'm a bit of a hypochondriac so someone else please chime in. Perhaps a small dose of boron+calcium?

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Yes, boron. The first photos suggests this. The sheath s are pulling away from the pstem.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Now u have me curious. I've been fertilizing them monthly with Fruit/Banana Fuel which does contain boron+calcium. The plants have grown profusely since their previous drink of fert so they may be lacking some atm. I did fertilize them again yesterday with a greater amount proportionate to their current size so that may help if there is indeed an issue with malnutrition.

Some closeups of the leaves:







I might have a worm/caterpillar starting to chew on the plant again. If that's the case I'll give it a quick douse of Bug-b-Gone and that will take care of it.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Hmm. I figured they where just falling off due to being the oldest leaves on the plant.

Update: I took a closer look and found the newest growth is being chomped on again by caterpillars so I sprayed them. I hate those things.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Bananas are not trees.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

I've got a t least 3 new suckers growing out of my two largest nanas. I'll post pics of them in a few days. I want to leave one growing on each plant and remove the rest to give away.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

So I want to determine which pups to keep and eliminate. They say the 1st sword is not the best.

I'm going to keep only one on each plant for now.

This image shows the first sword I got (large one in center) that is pictured at the start of this thread. There are 2 more now but I'm not sure they are swords.
Once I get better at recognizing each type I wont need to ask for such help.
Keep one or eliminate all?




This is my other nanas pups.
Are any swords?
Keep one or eliminate them?

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

They are all sword suckers, I would make your determination of which to keep by pruning those more towards the inside of your circle, that way the mats will radiate outwards.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Good advice. Thx

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

The sword vs. sucker labeling is folklore. Just water and fertilize regularly and it will be fine.

http://growingfruit-images.s3-us-wes...11a1825ad1.pdf

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Anything popping up in the mat, near the mother tree, is a sword. Once you transplant it, it wont do much until it establishes its own mat. That takes about a year. I would guess it would be the same for a sucker.

Re: First banana tree sucker. What type?
 

Are we sure it's not overfertilization that's wrinkling/rippling on the leaves?