foots

Hello all, I would like to get other growers views on this.

I know that the leaves or used in the photosynthesis process, and is a very important factor for the well being of the whole plant.

I've also hear that cutting some leaves off (the older ones) that it can help put more energy into the growth of the plant.

What are some of your thoughts on this if you're looking for good growth.

Should you just leave the plant alone and only cut off damaged leaves while it's growing?

Or should you trim off some of the older lower leaves while the plant is growing?



Now what I've been doing is cutting off the lower leaves when they start to be shaded from the sun from the newer top leaves.

In doing it like this, I usually have from 6 to 9 leaves on my plant most the time.

Here is a photo of my Blue Java after trimming...

[IMG][/IMG]

__________________
What I'm growing:

From Pup/Source
California Gold, Mysore PC, Dwarf Orinoco, Dwarf Namwah, Blue Java, Raja Puri, Misi Luki from Ty Taylor, (Tytaylor77)

From Pup/Source
2nd Blue Java from John LaTorre, (Johnsk9)

From TC/Source
Dwarf Brazilian from Larry, (sddarkman619)

wstrickland1

Nice looking plant!
I'm pretty sure that most here will tell you not to cut them off until they really look done. The more the merrier.

Akula

If the leaf is green then it is beneficial to the plant. I cut the leaves for aesthetic reasons if they collapse or break but generally try to keep them on the plant as long as possible. If the plant has flowered I maintain all leaves as long as they are green.

Gabe15

The only reason to cut green leaves is to prevent the spread of certain diseases, which are rare in hobby/garden situations. If it’s green, leave it.

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

pitangadiego

If it ain't yellow or brown, it stays. You start skipping meals and see how you perform.

__________________
Encanto Farms Nursery
http://encantofarms.com
We Be Bananas
http://webebananas.com

Backyard Banana Joe

I would agree leaving () on all leaves is the best, but I cut off a leaf if it's in the way or it's broken.

I think cutting the leaves to keep six or seven does make the plant grow faster, but the bunches are smaller because the plant was stressed trying to keep enough leaves to function.

foots

Thanks to all that responded. This was the insight I was looking for. Being new to growing bananas and seeing many different things on the internet and YouTube about growing them is what made me ask. Take care all.

foots

__________________
What I'm growing:

From Pup/Source
California Gold, Mysore PC, Dwarf Orinoco, Dwarf Namwah, Blue Java, Raja Puri, Misi Luki from Ty Taylor, (Tytaylor77)

From Pup/Source
2nd Blue Java from John LaTorre, (Johnsk9)

From TC/Source
Dwarf Brazilian from Larry, (sddarkman619)