Water suckers

natedogg1026 · 07-20-2008, 11:49 PM

Give me your take on water suckers. Do you chop em off or let em grow. Do you think there is a big difference in water as apposed to a sword. I've always just saved all the pups I can for me or to give away. I've never deliberately chopped one back but maybe I should. Do you think it really slows mama's growth rate? What's your thoughts?-Thanx N advance-Nate

Richard · 07-21-2008, 12:01 AM

What do they look like?

natedogg1026 · 07-21-2008, 12:05 AM

I was just reading where they said to cut em off. I know what they look like, just wanna know if I should start choppin em off and not waste my time with them. Thanx-Nate

austinl01 · 07-21-2008, 12:06 AM

I wonder what the difference is between a water sucker and sword sucker? A pic showing the two would be very helpful for beginners learning about bananas.

natedogg1026 · 07-21-2008, 12:14 AM

A water sucker looks more like a midget plant and is said to be a small fruit bearer and a weak plant. A sword sucker has thin pointy leaves and is said to be what you should save for propagation or as a replacement for mom.

pitangadiego · 07-21-2008, 12:20 AM

They tend to grow well and look nice as small plants because they get true leaves earlier than the sword suckers, but have less well developed root systems and seem to lack vigor throughout their life cycle, in my experience. Remove them and use as ornamentals, but not for fruit production. These are both about 6-8" tall - one obviously looks like a little banana plant (water sucker), and the other will be much taller before it has any true leaves (sword).

thebes11 · 07-21-2008, 08:31 AM

Thanks for the pics! Now I know all the pups around my plants are swords and should be good for fruit. Now the dilemma of letting them just grow naturally and creating a thick banana patch, or relocating them to different places.

snc · 07-22-2008, 03:31 PM

great question,

I was getting ready to discard the swords on my mysores, saba and basjoos. guess will wait till they are decent height and transplant.

do the suckers hinder the moms growth?

Dean W. · 07-22-2008, 04:20 PM

Great thread, I would like to follow it.

heynow · 07-22-2008, 06:30 PM

Praying Hands sword suckers

Dean W. · 07-22-2008, 06:33 PM

Awsome pups!

heynow · 07-22-2008, 06:42 PM

Praying Hands sword suckers

austinl01 · 07-22-2008, 06:55 PM

Thanks for the pictures, guys. That really helps distinguish between the two.

mskitty38583 · 07-22-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heynow

Praying Hands sword suckers

what no corona? LOL!
nice looking nanas!

pitangadiego · 07-27-2008, 12:51 AM

Here is an example of the huge difference in root development and corm size between water and sword suckers. Both are Goldfinger pups removed at the same time from the same parent plant.

Dean W. · 07-27-2008, 12:57 AM

Thanks for posting that.

Dean W. · 07-27-2008, 12:59 AM

Is it possible to grow water suckers and have them form sword suckers?

bencelest · 07-27-2008, 07:50 AM

Good question Dean. My dwarf Cav seems like all it gives are water suckers.

austinl01 · 07-27-2008, 08:08 AM

Wow, the difference is amazing. That picture really shows it all very well. Water suckers must be so weak.

natedogg1026 · 07-27-2008, 02:29 PM

Excellent pics Pitanga! Thanx for illustrating what I was trying to explain.

07-20-2008, 11:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 616 BananaBucks : 8,339 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 3	Water suckers Give me your take on water suckers. Do you chop em off or let em grow. Do you think there is a big difference in water as apposed to a sword. I've always just saved all the pups I can for me or to give away. I've never deliberately chopped one back but maybe I should. Do you think it really slows mama's growth rate? What's your thoughts?-Thanx N advance-Nate __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

07-21-2008, 12:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
Richard Hermitian Operator Richard's Photo Gallery Location: NW San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 9+ / 10- Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,370 BananaBucks : 583 Feedback: 4 / 100% Thanks: 356 Thanked 578 Times in 381 Posts Welcomes: 621	Re: Water suckers What do they look like? __________________ . . . http://www.plantsthatproduce.com

07-21-2008, 12:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 616 BananaBucks : 8,339 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 3	Re: Water suckers I was just reading where they said to cut em off. I know what they look like, just wanna know if I should start choppin em off and not waste my time with them. Thanx-Nate __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

07-21-2008, 12:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
austinl01 Got pink bananas? austinl01's Photo Gallery Location: Little Rock, AR Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Austin Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 505 BananaBucks : 8,394 Feedback: 7 / 100% Thanks: 345 Thanked 195 Times in 105 Posts Welcomes: 111	Re: Water suckers I wonder what the difference is between a water sucker and sword sucker? A pic showing the two would be very helpful for beginners learning about bananas. __________________ Austin Arkansas River Valley Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F Typical Low Each Winter: 13-15°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

07-21-2008, 12:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 616 BananaBucks : 8,339 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 3	Re: Water suckers A water sucker looks more like a midget plant and is said to be a small fruit bearer and a weak plant. A sword sucker has thin pointy leaves and is said to be what you should save for propagation or as a replacement for mom. __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

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07-21-2008, 12:20 AM	#6 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 487 BananaBucks : 4,342 Feedback: 5 / 100% Thanks: 0 Thanked 177 Times in 70 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Water suckers They tend to grow well and look nice as small plants because they get true leaves earlier than the sword suckers, but have less well developed root systems and seem to lack vigor throughout their life cycle, in my experience. Remove them and use as ornamentals, but not for fruit production. These are both about 6-8" tall - one obviously looks like a little banana plant (water sucker), and the other will be much taller before it has any true leaves (sword). __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

07-21-2008, 08:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
thebes11 Scubabanana thebes11's Photo Gallery Location: Atlantic Beach, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Gary Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 86 BananaBucks : 1,249 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 15 Thanked 40 Times in 9 Posts Welcomes: 1	Re: Water suckers Thanks for the pics! Now I know all the pups around my plants are swords and should be good for fruit. Now the dilemma of letting them just grow naturally and creating a thick banana patch, or relocating them to different places.

07-22-2008, 03:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
snc snc's Photo Gallery Location: wilmington nc Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 31 BananaBucks : 1,025 Feedback: 0 / 0% Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Water suckers great question, I was getting ready to discard the swords on my mysores, saba and basjoos. guess will wait till they are decent height and transplant. do the suckers hinder the moms growth?

07-22-2008, 04:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Name: Dean Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,199 BananaBucks : 8,039 Feedback: 6 / 100% Thanks: 645 Thanked 222 Times in 209 Posts Welcomes: 199	Re: Water suckers Great thread, I would like to follow it. __________________ Dean

07-22-2008, 06:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
heynow heynow's Photo Gallery Location: Brandon FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 115 BananaBucks : 1,288 Feedback: 1 / 100% Thanks: 1 Thanked 25 Times in 11 Posts Welcomes: 1	Re: Water suckers Praying Hands sword suckers

07-22-2008, 06:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Name: Dean Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,199 BananaBucks : 8,039 Feedback: 6 / 100% Thanks: 645 Thanked 222 Times in 209 Posts Welcomes: 199	Re: Water suckers Awsome pups! __________________ Dean

07-22-2008, 06:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
heynow heynow's Photo Gallery Location: Brandon FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9b Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 115 BananaBucks : 1,288 Feedback: 1 / 100% Thanks: 1 Thanked 25 Times in 11 Posts Welcomes: 1	Re: Water suckers Praying Hands sword suckers

07-22-2008, 06:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
austinl01 Got pink bananas? austinl01's Photo Gallery Location: Little Rock, AR Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Austin Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 505 BananaBucks : 8,394 Feedback: 7 / 100% Thanks: 345 Thanked 195 Times in 105 Posts Welcomes: 111	Re: Water suckers Thanks for the pictures, guys. That really helps distinguish between the two. __________________ Austin Arkansas River Valley Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F Typical Low Each Winter: 13-15°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

07-27-2008, 12:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 487 BananaBucks : 4,342 Feedback: 5 / 100% Thanks: 0 Thanked 177 Times in 70 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Water suckers Here is an example of the huge difference in root development and corm size between water and sword suckers. Both are Goldfinger pups removed at the same time from the same parent plant. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

07-27-2008, 12:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Name: Dean Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,199 BananaBucks : 8,039 Feedback: 6 / 100% Thanks: 645 Thanked 222 Times in 209 Posts Welcomes: 199	Re: Water suckers Thanks for posting that. __________________ Dean

07-27-2008, 12:59 AM	#17 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Name: Dean Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,199 BananaBucks : 8,039 Feedback: 6 / 100% Thanks: 645 Thanked 222 Times in 209 Posts Welcomes: 199	Re: Water suckers Is it possible to grow water suckers and have them form sword suckers? __________________ Dean

07-27-2008, 07:50 AM	#18 (permalink)
bencelest Banana Nut bencelest's Photo Gallery Location: California Zone 9 Zone: 9 Name: Benny Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,509 BananaBucks : 8,194 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 2 Thanked 159 Times in 138 Posts Welcomes: 0	Re: Water suckers Good question Dean. My dwarf Cav seems like all it gives are water suckers. __________________ Banana Nut

07-27-2008, 08:08 AM	#19 (permalink)
austinl01 Got pink bananas? austinl01's Photo Gallery Location: Little Rock, AR Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Austin Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 505 BananaBucks : 8,394 Feedback: 7 / 100% Thanks: 345 Thanked 195 Times in 105 Posts Welcomes: 111	Re: Water suckers Wow, the difference is amazing. That picture really shows it all very well. Water suckers must be so weak. __________________ Austin Arkansas River Valley Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F Typical Low Each Winter: 13-15°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches Last edited by austinl01 : 07-27-2008 at 04:25 PM.

07-27-2008, 02:29 PM	#20 (permalink)
natedogg1026 Banana addict natedogg1026's Photo Gallery Location: Pittsburg, Kansas Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 616 BananaBucks : 8,339 Feedback: 2 / 100% Thanks: 134 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts Welcomes: 3	Re: Water suckers Excellent pics Pitanga! Thanx for illustrating what I was trying to explain. __________________ Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.