How often should you prune a banana plant?

xcadaverx · 09-24-2020, 10:17 PM

I’ve seen quite a few conflicting reports. Some say that pruning to 4 leaves per tree causes vigorous growth, while others say it causes the plant to simply grow taller and delay fruiting. What’s the real deal? Sources would be great!

*Dearly Depotted* · 09-27-2020, 11:46 PM

Hi! I have heard from a gardener on YouTube called Leadfarmer73. He says to only leave 2 leaves on your plant at a time. It will cause your plant to grow faster. I don’t know if it will cause it to grow the fruit faster. Hey, at least I can say that doing this will cause the plant to grow much faster! So check him out on YouTube! I hope that helps!

Backyard Banana Joe · 09-28-2020, 09:27 AM

I don't think a plant can really function well with only two leaves...... I am now leaving about 7 or 8 leaves on my young growing plants....... Jon (Pitangadeigo) will say leave everything that's green. I think do what you want. You can experiment and see what looks good\ helps your plant. I personally wouldn't like to look out and see a banana tree with only two leaves...... More like 8.

I kind of keep my trees in shape- if there is a leaf out of place, I will cut it off. I balance my plants so they look "even". I dunno, matter of preference I guess.

Backyard Banana Joe · 09-28-2020, 09:29 AM

I think fertilizer and adequate water are more important.... You can prune the heck out of a banana tree but if it isn't being fertilized or watered it won't effect the growth. It will actually probably harm it......

*Dearly Depotted* · 10-02-2020, 06:05 AM

One more thing about leaving only 2 or 3 leaves on is it does help to grow roots a little faster. It does actually work! My plants really grew much faster than before using this method! ! Yes it does look funny I’ll admit! I thought that Leadfarmer73 was crazy when he first said to try this. Don’t forget I have a shorter season and have to bring in plants for winter. The bigger I can get them the better.

cincinnana · 10-02-2020, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcadaverx

I’ve seen quite a few conflicting reports. Some say that pruning to 4 leaves per tree causes vigorous growth, while others say it causes the plant to simply grow taller and delay fruiting. What’s the real deal? Sources would be great!

What grow zone are you in?

I must have missed it in your posts

xcadaverx · 10-02-2020, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Dearly Depotted*

Hi! I have heard from a gardener on YouTube called Leadfarmer73. He says to only leave 2 leaves on your plant at a time. It will cause your plant to grow faster. I don’t know if it will cause it to grow the fruit faster. Hey, at least I can say that doing this will cause the plant to grow much faster! So check him out on YouTube! I hope that helps!

Thanks for the reply- I appreciate it. I created this thread because it seems that each farmer on youtube has a different opinion as to what you should and shouldn't do, in regards to pruning and pup removal. I'm really hoping to get some more definitive literature/source on these topics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincinnana

What grow zone are you in?

I must have missed it in your posts

I'm in San Diego, Zone 10a, although I'd lean more towards 10b/11 based on the amount of sun I get.

Thanks for the replies

cincinnana · 10-02-2020, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcadaverx

Thanks for the reply- I appreciate it. I created this thread because it seems that each farmer on youtube has a different opinion as to what you should and shouldn't do, in regards to pruning and pup removal. I'm really hoping to get some more definitive literature/source on these topics.

I'm in San Diego, Zone 10a, although I'd lean more towards 10b/11 based on the amount of sun I get.

Thanks for the replies

Follow what the farmers say for your area.....

Farmers know best.

You are doing great .......post some photos of your plants sometime.

09-24-2020, 10:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
xcadaverx Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 784 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	How often should you prune a banana plant? I’ve seen quite a few conflicting reports. Some say that pruning to 4 leaves per tree causes vigorous growth, while others say it causes the plant to simply grow taller and delay fruiting. What’s the real deal? Sources would be great!

09-27-2020, 11:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 467 BananaBucks : 16,337 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 362 Times Was Thanked 250 Times in 177 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: How often should you prune a banana plant? Hi! I have heard from a gardener on YouTube called Leadfarmer73. He says to only leave 2 leaves on your plant at a time. It will cause your plant to grow faster. I don’t know if it will cause it to grow the fruit faster. Hey, at least I can say that doing this will cause the plant to grow much faster! So check him out on YouTube! I hope that helps! __________________ I really want to be able to grow some real fruit off my plants this time! Never been able to before! So wish me luck on my quest....

09-28-2020, 09:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
Backyard Banana Joe Location: Orange County, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 1,192 BananaBucks : 34,606 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,017 Times Was Thanked 1,538 Times in 768 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 155 Times	Re: How often should you prune a banana plant? I don't think a plant can really function well with only two leaves...... I am now leaving about 7 or 8 leaves on my young growing plants....... Jon (Pitangadeigo) will say leave everything that's green. I think do what you want. You can experiment and see what looks good\ helps your plant. I personally wouldn't like to look out and see a banana tree with only two leaves...... More like 8. I kind of keep my trees in shape- if there is a leaf out of place, I will cut it off. I balance my plants so they look "even". I dunno, matter of preference I guess.

09-28-2020, 09:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
Backyard Banana Joe Location: Orange County, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 1,192 BananaBucks : 34,606 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,017 Times Was Thanked 1,538 Times in 768 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 155 Times	Re: How often should you prune a banana plant? I think fertilizer and adequate water are more important.... You can prune the heck out of a banana tree but if it isn't being fertilized or watered it won't effect the growth. It will actually probably harm it......

10-02-2020, 06:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 467 BananaBucks : 16,337 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 362 Times Was Thanked 250 Times in 177 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: How often should you prune a banana plant? One more thing about leaving only 2 or 3 leaves on is it does help to grow roots a little faster. It does actually work! My plants really grew much faster than before using this method! ! Yes it does look funny I’ll admit! I thought that Leadfarmer73 was crazy when he first said to try this. Don’t forget I have a shorter season and have to bring in plants for winter. The bigger I can get them the better. __________________ I really want to be able to grow some real fruit off my plants this time! Never been able to before! So wish me luck on my quest....

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