rhansen

About 18 months ago we landscaped our yard and added 2 Red Banana palms. They were about 6 ft tall when we planted. One grew to about 18 ft and the other only about 12. We live in southern california so they did pretty well through the winter. The winds tear them up pretty good, but they are pretty hardy and have come back without issue.
But something unusual happened this fall. The larger plant grew a massive flower-type head and seems to have stopped growing. It's fairly large (about 18 in dia) on a long stalk from the center of the tree. I've left it on to this point, but it is now softening and I don't see any new leaf growth.
Should this be taken off? If so, where? Should I take all of the leaves down short?

None of the folks I've talked to have ever seen this before. Any help would be appreciated.

chong

Welcome Rhansen!

Once a banana blooms, no new leaves will emerge. That is why flower is called the terminal bud. The flowers will be followed by the fruits. Once the fruits mature, that particular pseudo-stem will die. Depending on the variety, most plants will produce suckers, or side shoots, that will continue its life process. Some bananas do not produce suckers, but produce seeds and that is how they are propagated. Do not cut off the plant or flower until the fruits are mature or ripe. Unless of course, if you do not like the way it looks. But personally, I think it's beautiful! And I would like to congratulate you for the bloom. I can guarantee you that I will not be the only one to congratulate you for this.

Prop up the bloom/fruit bunch if it becomes too heavy, or it will topple down.

Gabe15

Welcome!

That particular banana species you are growing (Ensete ventricosum) will no longer produce any leaves, and will die after it is done flowering. There is nothing you can do to avoid this, so enjoy the flower! When it is all done and starts to die, cut down the plant and either let it rot in place, or dig it up and plant a new one. You may be able to harvest some seed from the fruits, but if you cannot find any seeds then you will need to buy some seeds to start more plants or just buy more plants.

__________________
Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

griphuz

From what I understand (Red banana) it is actually Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelli', but the same goes: The pseudostem will die, and hopefully seeds will be formed. If you're lucky however it will produce new shoots after flowering, I think Maurelli is able to do that right?
Another issue: If you sow the seeds, most will be the normal green form of Ensete ventricosum, and not the red Maurelli.
Kind regards and yes: congratulations with your magnificent flower!
Remko.

just j

nice flower!!! Gabe is right the plant will die and it wont produce a pup but who cares u got a flower thats the whole point of growing one and u will get seeds from it to plant lots of them just be happy u got to see a huge flower off yours i have waited years and didnt see one yet