jpfloors

I've searched through the forums every way I could think of and couldn't find any topics on the subject of P-Stem maintenance. When the stem of the leaves on the P-Stem start to die off, crack, flake, get soggy looking, dried out, moldy, etc, etc, etc.... is it best to remove this dead portion to allow for the greens, pinks, and reds of the p-stem to have access to light and keep up with the overall health of the plant itself? Not only for that reason, but selfishly to make it overall look better. To me it would make PURFECT sense because my logic tells me that then the p-stem is getting light which allows that area of the plant to photosynthesise, thus allowing the plant to grow more rapid and healthy. What's others thoughts on this? I guess this Q is coming from the fact that I see so many peoples p-stems looking so nice, neat and GREEN, PINK, and RED; for example: mediahound's pics taken of his oversized pup seperated too high in "what'd you plant today" thread. Any science known about this as well would also be appreciated!

Randy4ut

JP... I,too, think this is best and do it. Hope I am not harming the overall health of the banana. I have been doing this for 4 years now with my basjoo and they seem to do fine. Will be interesting to see what others say, though...

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jpfloors

I as well just started doing that as well. I only have had Dw. Cav. the past few years, but this is the first time I've had many different verieties and I have purchased some so so healthy plants (though very large; 4-9 ft, reffering to the two 25 gals I bought with 5 plants each), and I think that this would help. I did it to all of mine last night. Some had 3 layers of 0.01 mil of dead stuff from each leaf up the p-stem.

Bananaman88

I try to do this too, but it sure can be a pain and time-consuming too! It definitely makes the p-stems look better in my opinion. I do tend to get behind on this task though. I always try to be careful when cutting off old leaf sheaths because there are always frogs, anoles, and geckos hiding in them.

jpfloors

Hahaha, I had the same thing last night with frogs and lizards hiding in them... I just started at the middle of the p-stem and pull with my nails from the edges until I can get a grasp of the dead tissue and pull it down from there and when I got to the rhizome it came right off by slightly tugging diagonally. Some flakes would stay on the p-stem, I just used the palm of my hand and rubbed them off with an up and down motion.

D_&_T

Would leaving them on help insulate the P-stem in cooler climates overwintering?

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pitangadiego

Green is good. Brown and yellow can be removed.

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cactus6103

I agree. I try to keep my plants clean and looking nice. I do not like the sound of wind blowing through dead and dry plant matter. It takes me back to a bad memory of house building up north years ago! Red

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Bananaman88

I feel that to some extent that it does help with insulation. I usually only remove the leaves damaged from cold in the winter and leave the old leaf sheaths until spring. Then I try to keep the old leaf sheaths removed spring through summer.

island cassie

I just tidy up the plants by removing the loose and brown leaves leaving the leaf bases for the frogs to hide in. When the leaves are loose to the base of the plant - then I take them out. No manicuring really!!!

Cassie

islandgirl173

I am having the same problem in SC. The tree stems left from last year are all brown & dead looking. What do I do with them now? Cut them down to the ground? The leaves were cut off as they got brown from cold. Only stalks or plant stems r left which r brown now. What do I do with them? Please somebody has to know!?!

momoese

Starting at the lowest brown leaf stem and working up the plant, pull the brown part away from the p-stem just a bit and cut it off right at the point where the brown turns to green using a single edge razor blade, box cutter, sharp knife, pruning shears, etc. After a week or so the edge that you cut will shrivel and look more natural. That's how I do it. I can do a photo tutorial when I get some time if that would help.

jpfloors

Would definately be awsome to see how someone else does it!!!

islandgirl173

Thanks very much! This is 1st year w so many trees/stems to prepair 4 spring. Last year only 1 stem was left standing. Had 10 or more sprout up from that one w/o any help. Just want to have healthy plants again and save the babies. Can they be seperated and put into pots u think? Peace, Tam

MediaHound

You're all banana feinds!!!

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

jpfloors

Haha, and proud of it!

jpfloors

Sure, I usually put them into pots to recover unless they're larger sized pups, say 1'-2' or taller.

Bananaman88

And your point is....?

MediaHound

The point about P-stem manicuring was a subtle joke. It was funny at the time, I think there were a couple threads it was joked about in...

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

jpfloors

I hope everyone got the joke!