too much weight

manevets · 07-01-2013, 08:50 PM

I'm in SW FL growing dwarf cavendish outside. My problem is, aside from having too many bananas (7 stalks, gotta be 1,000 bananas). The first one to fruit started to lean as they grew bigger and eventually snapped. I had to use a hacksaw to cut it out. The bunch of bananas has to weight 50 pounds. I don't think they were ready to be harvested, so I have them inside where it's 78d and I have them sitting up on a chair with good airflow, in a shaded area. I'll give it a week and see what happens. I have another one leaning. I was going to buy a couple of 2x3's and make a support brace but now a third is starting to lean. This all started from a 2 inch plant a few years ago, I moved it to the back yard from a large pot out on the lanai. It fruited once in the pot but they didn't make it to maturity. I have 2 questions. Is there a better way to go about supporting the tree. Perhaps somehow putting a band around the stalks to give them more strength. Like united we stand, divided we fall?. And does anyone know of a large banana hanger that can hold the whole bunch of bananas, about 3 feet long and up to 65 pounds or more? Thanks!

Steve

sunfish · 07-01-2013, 09:23 PM

Grow the dwarf variety most do not need supporting

crazy banana · 07-02-2013, 12:25 AM

I am using 1.5" PVC pipe with two 2 T-shaped pieces on the top sides and a 45 degree elbow in the middle all on a padded rope. Inflorescence rests on the elbow and gets support right there. Will try to take a photo for you tomorrow, but I saw this at Encanto farms.

crazy banana · 07-02-2013, 01:22 PM

[IMG]

[/IMG][IMG]

[/IMG]

Here you go....

Olafhenny · 07-02-2013, 04:47 PM

I second "Crazy's" (sorry, he did not leave his first name

) suggestion of using PVC irrigation
pipe instead of 2 x 4s or other lumber. It is easily stuck together (no glue!) and disassembled. Pipe
and fittings can be re-used, when different configuration is required and it is cheaper than lumber..

Good luck,
Olaf

manevets · 07-02-2013, 07:07 PM

crazy banana, can you take a wider pic showing the entire tree. Does this go around the tree, does it go in the ground?. I tried to get a pic today between downpours, as soon as I can get one from the phone to the computer I'll post one.

sunfish · 07-02-2013, 07:23 PM

Got fruit, do I support it, when and how?

is the support good?

Banana tree support

crazy banana · 07-02-2013, 07:42 PM

[IMG]

[/IMG]

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Here you go..., just plain 1.5" PVC pipe. It does not go around the tree, the top pieces build the bridge between the two legs and they are on a thin rope loosely hanging around the top of the banana plant (see 2nd picture in earlier post) to give it some stability in case of wind.
Bottom can be adjusted to the length you need. My plant in the photo is a Blue Java and the inflorescence height is at about 12'.
Jon from Encanto farms even recommends the 2" pipe for more stability which might be a good idea for you in case of Florida hurricanes.

crazy banana · 07-02-2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olafhenny

I second "Crazy's" (sorry, he did not leave his first name

) suggestion of using PVC irrigation
pipe instead of 2 x 4s or other lumber. It is easily stuck together (no glue!) and disassembled. Pipe
and fittings can be re-used, when different configuration is required and it is cheaper than lumber..

Good luck,
Olaf

"Crazy banana" is just fine and hits the nail on the head.....

PR-Giants · 07-02-2013, 07:58 PM

2 x 4's are much stronger, cheaper, and easier to adjust for plants of different heights.

I drill a few 1/2" holes spaced about a foot apart at the end each board, and use a 3" piece of 1/2" rebar as a pin to form an "X".

The pin and/or legs can be moved to adjust for height.

Simple, cheap, and strong.

The plastic tubes are too weak to be used in windy areas and have always seemed silly to me.

Abnshrek · 07-02-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR-Giants

2 x 4's are much stronger, cheaper, and easier to adjust for plants of different heights.

I drill a few 1/2" holes spaced about a foot apart at the end each board, and use a 3" piece of 1/2" rebar as a pin to form an "X".

The pin and/or legs can be moved to adjust for height.

Simple, cheap, and strong.

The plastic tubes are too weak to be used in windy areas and have always seemed silly to me.

manevets · 07-02-2013, 08:25 PM

Thanks, I'll have to make a trip to home depot.

sunfish · 07-02-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

X

BigBananaBoy · 07-03-2013, 12:58 AM

X3

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

X

PR-Giants · 07-03-2013, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

X

It's nice to see that someone can visualize an "X" without the need of a photo.

PR-Giants · 07-03-2013, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

I can see how an "X" is confusing, but I can assure you this was not an attempt to forge your signature.

I use pins because no tools are needed to adjust, but a nail can be used instead.

Nicolas Naranja · 07-03-2013, 10:20 AM

If you look around on youtube at the various ways the commercial plantations do it you will be amazed. Some have cables that they attach to and others will string together plants.

sunfish · 07-03-2013, 03:01 PM

Someone better Email the commercial plantations and tell them they are using the wrong support apparatus

Dalmatiansoap · 07-03-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBananaBoy

X3

XXX?

Abnshrek · 07-03-2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PR-Giants

It's nice to see that someone can visualize an "X" without the need of a photo.

You post pictures of everything else why quit now.. :^)

07-01-2013, 08:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
manevets Find me on the map! Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 4,207 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 19 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	too much weight I'm in SW FL growing dwarf cavendish outside. My problem is, aside from having too many bananas (7 stalks, gotta be 1,000 bananas). The first one to fruit started to lean as they grew bigger and eventually snapped. I had to use a hacksaw to cut it out. The bunch of bananas has to weight 50 pounds. I don't think they were ready to be harvested, so I have them inside where it's 78d and I have them sitting up on a chair with good airflow, in a shaded area. I'll give it a week and see what happens. I have another one leaning. I was going to buy a couple of 2x3's and make a support brace but now a third is starting to lean. This all started from a 2 inch plant a few years ago, I moved it to the back yard from a large pot out on the lanai. It fruited once in the pot but they didn't make it to maturity. I have 2 questions. Is there a better way to go about supporting the tree. Perhaps somehow putting a band around the stalks to give them more strength. Like united we stand, divided we fall?. And does anyone know of a large banana hanger that can hold the whole bunch of bananas, about 3 feet long and up to 65 pounds or more? Thanks! Steve Last edited by manevets : 07-01-2013 at 08:56 PM.

07-01-2013, 09:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 946,622 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,591 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: too much weight Grow the dwarf variety most do not need supporting

07-02-2013, 12:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
crazy banana Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,641 BananaBucks : 10,030 Feedback: 73 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,021 Times Was Thanked 2,961 Times in 1,115 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,969 Times	Re: too much weight I am using 1.5" PVC pipe with two 2 T-shaped pieces on the top sides and a 45 degree elbow in the middle all on a padded rope. Inflorescence rests on the elbow and gets support right there. Will try to take a photo for you tomorrow, but I saw this at Encanto farms.

07-02-2013, 01:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
crazy banana Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,641 BananaBucks : 10,030 Feedback: 73 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,021 Times Was Thanked 2,961 Times in 1,115 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,969 Times	Re: too much weight [IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG] Here you go....

07-02-2013, 04:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 246,029 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: too much weight I second "Crazy's" (sorry, he did not leave his first name ) suggestion of using PVC irrigation pipe instead of 2 x 4s or other lumber. It is easily stuck together (no glue!) and disassembled. Pipe and fittings can be re-used, when different configuration is required and it is cheaper than lumber.. Good luck, Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

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07-02-2013, 07:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
manevets Find me on the map! Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 4,207 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 19 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: too much weight crazy banana, can you take a wider pic showing the entire tree. Does this go around the tree, does it go in the ground?. I tried to get a pic today between downpours, as soon as I can get one from the phone to the computer I'll post one.

07-02-2013, 07:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 946,622 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,591 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: too much weight Got fruit, do I support it, when and how? is the support good? Banana tree support Last edited by sunfish : 07-02-2013 at 07:28 PM.

07-02-2013, 07:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
crazy banana Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,641 BananaBucks : 10,030 Feedback: 73 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,021 Times Was Thanked 2,961 Times in 1,115 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,969 Times	Re: too much weight [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] Here you go..., just plain 1.5" PVC pipe. It does not go around the tree, the top pieces build the bridge between the two legs and they are on a thin rope loosely hanging around the top of the banana plant (see 2nd picture in earlier post) to give it some stability in case of wind. Bottom can be adjusted to the length you need. My plant in the photo is a Blue Java and the inflorescence height is at about 12'. Jon from Encanto farms even recommends the 2" pipe for more stability which might be a good idea for you in case of Florida hurricanes. Last edited by crazy banana : 07-02-2013 at 07:47 PM.

07-02-2013, 07:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
PR-Giants Commercial Grower Location: Florida & Greater Antilles Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 4,544 BananaBucks : 2,910 Feedback: 16 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,900 Times Was Thanked 12,463 Times in 3,620 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3,204 Times	Re: too much weight 2 x 4's are much stronger, cheaper, and easier to adjust for plants of different heights. I drill a few 1/2" holes spaced about a foot apart at the end each board, and use a 3" piece of 1/2" rebar as a pin to form an "X". The pin and/or legs can be moved to adjust for height. Simple, cheap, and strong. The plastic tubes are too weak to be used in windy areas and have always seemed silly to me. __________________ PR-Giants Photo Gallery 15,000+ Varieties

07-02-2013, 08:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
manevets Find me on the map! Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 4,207 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 19 Times Was Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: too much weight Thanks, I'll have to make a trip to home depot.

07-03-2013, 10:20 AM	#17 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja 's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 460,524 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,663 Times in 1,562 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: too much weight If you look around on youtube at the various ways the commercial plantations do it you will be amazed. Some have cables that they attach to and others will string together plants. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

07-03-2013, 03:01 PM	#18 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 946,622 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,591 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: too much weight Someone better Email the commercial plantations and tell them they are using the wrong support apparatus

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