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Originally Posted by EnlightenedGardener
Hi everyone! I have this same question but I'll add a few more specifics.
My variegated musa Florida is quickly approaching my 8 ft tall ceilings - probably a month or two before contact. I would like to cut it back but I want to know:
1. If I cut back closer to the soil line, is there a chance that it will choose to send out pups instead of regrowing in the center? I'd like it to continue growing as a single plant for now.
2. Depending on whether I cut higher or lower, will this affect the size of the new leaves? I'm imagining that if I cut it back to about 4 ft, it will continue growing larger leaves, but if I cut back to 1-2 ft, it will need to start completely over and will revert to smaller leaf size.
I really love the look of the plant when it has more, smaller leaves and am hoping to encourage that. Although, ideally I will make best friends with someone who has a 20+ ft greenhouse to let it go wild in!!
Any advice about the effects pruning methods will have on leaf size or suckering are greatly appreciated! Thank you all  |
Can I ask for pictures? Show us that tall beauty!
1. In my experience no, it will regrow from the center.
2. I have researched this. I could not find documentation on how leaf cuts affect the length of leaves of the Musa Aeae. I only found that the older outer layers will All die off, and it will continue to issue leaves from the center with fertilization. Thailand.
Pruning methods that are documented that don't kill banana trees: Cutting the leaves in half after unfurling. A Youtuber restricted water to slow down growth (but has not shared updates since 2017). A nursery stores the tree in a corner of a greenhouse but it results in bruising and brown leaves, but the leaves were smaller.