supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery

jen · 08-09-2008, 09:06 AM

So I was informed that I needed to support (Thanks Chong) my fruit. I uploaded pictures to my gallery of what we rigged up with the help of some great links and info on this site. I would love some feedback. I know the plant still needs to hang...right? So we tried to be non-invasive and still support it, and make sure it is hanging at a good angle but I don't know if it's hanging enough. Do you think it's okay? The tree was leaning pretty good so we supported the main tree also not just the fruit.

Jen

Gabe15 · 08-09-2008, 09:30 AM

That looks great Jen, so long as it stays sturdy that will do the trick.

Richard · 08-09-2008, 09:55 AM

Definitely a professional installation. You earn 5 stars for the day!

MediaHound · 08-09-2008, 10:17 AM

Good job!
If the wind kicks up do you think it can fall? Sometimes its good to attach it to the plant with a tie of some sort.
You guys are gonna enjoy those bananas! Take lots of pics!

MediaHound · 08-09-2008, 10:19 AM

Also I sometimes like to spraypaint mine with green spraypaint to make it blend in, just an idea. Yours is in the back though so its not like it will stand out in the view from the curb...

jen · 08-09-2008, 10:50 AM

I'm so glad it's okay. I'm not sure about the wind thing I think we should tie it like you suggested just in case. It is such an eyesore and so in the way and I could care less. I love that thing!

Hey, I have no idea how long to leave it. How do you know when the fruit is ready to cut down? I read 70 days. Is that true? That's a long time.

We haven't really gotten a firm ID on the plant but Gabe thinks it's a Mysore and he is pretty much a banana genius from what I gather so Im going on that assumption. He has however reserved the right to change his mind as the flower develops.

Jen

chong · 08-09-2008, 12:05 PM

To be sure that the fruits have fully filled out, you would want to keep the bunch on the plant until one or more of the fruits starts to turn yellow. Then you can cut the entire bunch down. If you want to get the full flavor, you can wait until a hand has turned yellow, unless one of the fruits pop and break its skin(peel). When one of the fruits break its skin, the rest will follow. So, you really need to cut the bunch down, in order to stop the fruits from absorbing more nutrients from the plant.

harveyc · 08-09-2008, 12:16 PM

Nobody has mentioned this yet, but it looks like your PVC pipes are just resting on the concrete. If there isn't anything to stop them from sliding (besides gravity), that can be a problem if the wind blows the plant up towards the house. Also, if you used 45 degree elbows like it looks (and as Jon suggests), the increasing weight could spread the legs of your support out. Maybe your legs are somehow secured, but the Bananas.org watermark obscures the bottom of your photo.

Good luck!

chong · 08-09-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MediaHound

Good job!
If the wind kicks up do you think it can fall? Sometimes its good to attach it to the plant with a tie of some sort.
You guys are gonna enjoy those bananas! Take lots of pics!

Great job Jen!
Jarred has a point. You might want to get a fat rope to tie the stem to the yoke of your prop. Ideally, the prop should be placed below the apex of the arch of the stem. As the fruits fill out, the weight gets heavier, thus will force the plant to lean towards the prop. This will loosen the contact between the stem and the yoke, and cause the prop to breakaway from the plant. I say fat rope, 1/2" should be adequate, because a skinny rope will cut into the stem more easily.

One other thing, you sure take great pictures!

jen · 08-09-2008, 05:46 PM

As usual....THANK YOU! You guys are so much help. No the bottom is just sitting on the concrete and what you said makes sense. We have some errrands to run so we are gonna add some rope to the list and secure it as you described.

Thanks Chong.

pitangadiego · 08-09-2008, 11:32 PM

The only change I would make is to use tees instead of elbows, then you can run a wire through the prop, and around the stem, so that it doesn't fall out of position when the wind blows. At certain times of the year (Santa Ana winds, etc.) that is important

jen · 08-10-2008, 08:03 AM

Good photo to explain what your talking about. Love it. I printed it out and when hubby wakes up I will show him. We have to do something else to secure it either rope or this becasue I do think with it just on the concrete we are asking for trouble. Thanks.

Jen

tlturbo · 08-11-2008, 07:46 AM

70 days? I don't think there are any bananas that will ripen in just a little over 2 months. I have quite a few varieties and they all take right at 4 months to ripen. Sometime a few more weeks. Your location isn't shown on your profile and I'm in S Florida so if you are in a cooler climate, it will probably take longer. Like was already mentioned, unless you have to cut the bunch off, leave it on the plant until you see a banana or two turning yellow. Then cut it off and lay or hang it somewhere - I don't bother to hang it - doesn't seem to make a difference so I just put mine on a piece of cardboard on the porch. BUT BE CAREFUL - the sap from your cuts is sticky and WILL stain clothing (and concrete) badly.

Terry

island cassie · 08-11-2008, 04:23 PM

Yep - I'm with Terry at about 4 months.

Cassie

chong · 08-11-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlturbo

70 days? I don't think there are any bananas that will ripen in just a little over 2 months. I have quite a few varieties and they all take right at 4 months to ripen. Sometime a few more weeks. Your location isn't shown on your profile and I'm in S Florida so if you are in a cooler climate, it will probably take longer. Like was already mentioned, unless you have to cut the bunch off, leave it on the plant until you see a banana or two turning yellow. Then cut it off and lay or hang it somewhere - I don't bother to hang it - doesn't seem to make a difference so I just put mine on a piece of cardboard on the porch. BUT BE CAREFUL - the sap from your cuts is sticky and WILL stain clothing (and concrete) badly.

Terry

Señorita will ripen in 45 days on the average. It is called "Quarenta Dias" (forty days) because they can ripen as early as forty days.

Chironex · 08-11-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chong

Señorita will ripen in 45 days on the average. It is called "Quarenta Dias" (forty days) because they can ripen as early as forty days.

I gotta get one of those Senoritas! Anyone have any pups for trade, sale or as a freebie (I'll pay shipping and handling)?

Thanks!!!

08-09-2008, 09:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
jen jen's Photo Gallery Zone: 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 215 BananaBucks : 93,365 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 56 Times Was Thanked 174 Times in 66 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery So I was informed that I needed to support (Thanks Chong) my fruit. I uploaded pictures to my gallery of what we rigged up with the help of some great links and info on this site. I would love some feedback. I know the plant still needs to hang...right? So we tried to be non-invasive and still support it, and make sure it is hanging at a good angle but I don't know if it's hanging enough. Do you think it's okay? The tree was leaning pretty good so we supported the main tree also not just the fruit. Jen

08-09-2008, 09:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,458,085 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 8,244 Times in 2,201 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery That looks great Jen, so long as it stays sturdy that will do the trick. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

08-09-2008, 09:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 856,818 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery Definitely a professional installation. You earn 5 stars for the day! __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

08-09-2008, 10:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
MediaHound Tally-Man MediaHound's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Jarred Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,273 BananaBucks : 2,438,128 Feedback: 66 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,882 Times Was Thanked 5,105 Times in 1,359 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,088 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery Good job! If the wind kicks up do you think it can fall? Sometimes its good to attach it to the plant with a tie of some sort. You guys are gonna enjoy those bananas! Take lots of pics! __________________ 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.

08-09-2008, 10:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
MediaHound Tally-Man MediaHound's Photo Gallery Location: Florida Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Jarred Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,273 BananaBucks : 2,438,128 Feedback: 66 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,882 Times Was Thanked 5,105 Times in 1,359 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,088 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery Also I sometimes like to spraypaint mine with green spraypaint to make it blend in, just an idea. Yours is in the back though so its not like it will stand out in the view from the curb... __________________ 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.

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08-09-2008, 10:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
jen jen's Photo Gallery Zone: 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 215 BananaBucks : 93,365 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 56 Times Was Thanked 174 Times in 66 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery I'm so glad it's okay. I'm not sure about the wind thing I think we should tie it like you suggested just in case. It is such an eyesore and so in the way and I could care less. I love that thing! Hey, I have no idea how long to leave it. How do you know when the fruit is ready to cut down? I read 70 days. Is that true? That's a long time. We haven't really gotten a firm ID on the plant but Gabe thinks it's a Mysore and he is pretty much a banana genius from what I gather so Im going on that assumption. He has however reserved the right to change his mind as the flower develops. Jen

08-09-2008, 12:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
chong Senior Member chong's Photo Gallery Location: Seattle, WA Find me on the map! Zone: 8-9 Name: Chong Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,851 BananaBucks : 116,662 Feedback: 6 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,309 Times Was Thanked 1,702 Times in 759 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 991 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery To be sure that the fruits have fully filled out, you would want to keep the bunch on the plant until one or more of the fruits starts to turn yellow. Then you can cut the entire bunch down. If you want to get the full flavor, you can wait until a hand has turned yellow, unless one of the fruits pop and break its skin(peel). When one of the fruits break its skin, the rest will follow. So, you really need to cut the bunch down, in order to stop the fruits from absorbing more nutrients from the plant.

08-09-2008, 12:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
harveyc Been nuts, gone bananas harveyc's Photo Gallery Location: Isleton, Calif Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Name: Harvey Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 5,123 BananaBucks : 410,249 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,034 Times Was Thanked 4,467 Times in 1,899 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,785 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery Nobody has mentioned this yet, but it looks like your PVC pipes are just resting on the concrete. If there isn't anything to stop them from sliding (besides gravity), that can be a problem if the wind blows the plant up towards the house. Also, if you used 45 degree elbows like it looks (and as Jon suggests), the increasing weight could spread the legs of your support out. Maybe your legs are somehow secured, but the Bananas.org watermark obscures the bottom of your photo. Good luck! __________________

08-09-2008, 05:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
jen jen's Photo Gallery Zone: 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 215 BananaBucks : 93,365 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 56 Times Was Thanked 174 Times in 66 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery As usual....THANK YOU! You guys are so much help. No the bottom is just sitting on the concrete and what you said makes sense. We have some errrands to run so we are gonna add some rope to the list and secure it as you described. Thanks Chong.

08-09-2008, 11:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,489 BananaBucks : 179,973 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,732 Times in 930 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery The only change I would make is to use tees instead of elbows, then you can run a wire through the prop, and around the stem, so that it doesn't fall out of position when the wind blows. At certain times of the year (Santa Ana winds, etc.) that is important __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

08-10-2008, 08:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
jen jen's Photo Gallery Zone: 10 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 215 BananaBucks : 93,365 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 56 Times Was Thanked 174 Times in 66 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery Good photo to explain what your talking about. Love it. I printed it out and when hubby wakes up I will show him. We have to do something else to secure it either rope or this becasue I do think with it just on the concrete we are asking for trouble. Thanks. Jen

08-11-2008, 07:46 AM	#13 (permalink)
tlturbo WUTSA V8 tlturbo's Photo Gallery Location: Bokeelia, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Terry Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 365 BananaBucks : 162,357 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 87 Times in 51 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery 70 days? I don't think there are any bananas that will ripen in just a little over 2 months. I have quite a few varieties and they all take right at 4 months to ripen. Sometime a few more weeks. Your location isn't shown on your profile and I'm in S Florida so if you are in a cooler climate, it will probably take longer. Like was already mentioned, unless you have to cut the bunch off, leave it on the plant until you see a banana or two turning yellow. Then cut it off and lay or hang it somewhere - I don't bother to hang it - doesn't seem to make a difference so I just put mine on a piece of cardboard on the porch. BUT BE CAREFUL - the sap from your cuts is sticky and WILL stain clothing (and concrete) badly. Terry Last edited by tlturbo : 08-11-2008 at 07:53 AM.

08-11-2008, 04:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
island cassie island cassie's Photo Gallery Location: Dominican Republic Find me on the map! Zone: 11+ I guess Name: Island Cassie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 3,170 BananaBucks : 513,726 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,708 Times Was Thanked 2,079 Times in 874 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 416 Times	Re: supporting fruit with pvc...did I do it right? pics in gallery Yep - I'm with Terry at about 4 months. Cassie

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