Bananas.org - W water

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- Container Grown Banana Plants (http://www.bananas.org/f311/)

- - W water (http://www.bananas.org/f311/w-water-45634.html)

What is a water sucker?

They do have their place. If you want some low, bushy bananas near the end of the driveway, they are good for that.

Here's a pic of some water suckers. I hope this clears it up for ya.

Conversely, this is a sword sucker. I hope this answers all of your questions regarding the two, but in the event it doesn't, please go to the bottom of this pic for a better description of both.

Both water and sword suckers have their places. Initially, the water suckers seem to be the logical choice; they have lots of leaves and seem full. Swords on the other hand, are sparse, with retarded looking leaves. Looks can be deceiving!

Water suckers will never develop into full sized plants. They probably will not fruit. While not ideal for a fruiting grower, they can be used in areas where you may want a small, bushy banana plant. This may be under your front windows, or along the driveway, or by the street. They also make great gifts. Incidentally, they may produce sword pups in the future.

Sword suckers initially look like rejects but are the strong, healthy plants that will reach great heights and fruit. For ornamental use, these plants will fill in large areas, make a striking accent, or even shade part of your garden if you have sensitive plants.

In the end, it is up to you to decide what to keep. Early on, your plants will most likely produce water suckers, so if you want to fill areas in, they can be used temporarily. As you get more and more swords, you can replace the water suckers with these.

I hope this helps, but I did need to inject a little humor into your thread. You just left yourself wide open... :ha:

Bravo Doug!........LOL........nice picture!.....:bananarow:

I have had water suckers grow into huge full sized plants and produce fruit. They are just way slower than sword suckers. In my understanding both end up "normal banana plants" just swords are way faster to get there and more vigorous. I'm not an expert. Correct me if I am wrong.

I have a full sized water sucker fruiting right now.

I also find that only very young plants and underfertalized plants make water suckers. All my larger corms/mats that I keep fertalized make sword suckers. Smaller TC plants or small pups will make water suckers in the beginning.

That's what mine did, Ty.

I found this awhile back. Thought it was interesting.

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Yes, quite. Thanks for the link. :bananas_b

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarkie (Post 295478)

Yes, quite. Thanks for the link. :bananas_b

I know it is very very old but still interesting and cool experiment. I agree with the apical dominance since when you cut a Pstem down pups shoot up everywhere.