Cutting back a water mama to allow a sword?

Snarkie · 07-05-2016, 02:25 PM

I have a couple of water suckers that are pretty much doing nothing. They're about 18" tall, but are sending up swords. Should I whack the mama cabbage off the top and let the sword take over?

RAINFOREZT · 07-06-2016, 09:14 AM

Feed them ..and see what happens do not cut mama.

Richard · 07-06-2016, 12:56 PM

So called water suckers are just a symptom of poor care and fertilization. Feed them properly and the sprout will develop normally. I have not had water sucker symptoms for well over a decade.

a.hulva@coxinet.net · 07-06-2016, 11:47 PM

If you don't need any more plants, I would remove the biggest pup and leave one of the smaller ones. Another approach that I use is to take a machete and slice between mother and the pup but leave it in place. This way you don't disturb the roots of either one and they will continue to grow until you decide what you want. I agree with Rainforezt not to cut off the mother.

cincinnana · 07-07-2016, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarkie

I have a couple of water suckers that are pretty much doing nothing. They're about 18" tall, but are sending up swords. Should I whack the mama cabbage off the top and let the sword take over?

If your talking about your Basjoos along your driveway.... let them be.....feed them and watch your mat grow larger. Basjoos have a lot of looks when growing and usually a lot is happening underground catching up to the new runner.

If you unearth the plant at the end of the season you will see what I mean.

I agree with the other guys.

Snarkie · 07-07-2016, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the info. This was a pair of twins that are doing absolutely nothing, but now have a sword sucker coming up. I like the idea of cutting between them, so if the sword gets taller than the mama's in a week or two, I will try that approach.

07-05-2016, 02:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Snarkie The Cat Whisperer Location: Charlotte, NC Zone: 8b, pushing 9a Name: D.A. Hänks Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,119 BananaBucks : 189,962 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times Was Thanked 1,976 Times in 1,145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times	Cutting back a water mama to allow a sword? I have a couple of water suckers that are pretty much doing nothing. They're about 18" tall, but are sending up swords. Should I whack the mama cabbage off the top and let the sword take over? __________________ Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America "Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

07-06-2016, 09:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
RAINFOREZT RAINFOREZT's Photo Gallery Zone: 10 Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 485 BananaBucks : 118,988 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 634 Times Was Thanked 642 Times in 210 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 145 Times	Re: Cutting back a water mama to allow a sword? Feed them ..and see what happens do not cut mama.

07-06-2016, 12:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 994,995 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Cutting back a water mama to allow a sword? So called water suckers are just a symptom of poor care and fertilization. Feed them properly and the sprout will develop normally. I have not had water sucker symptoms for well over a decade. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

07-06-2016, 11:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
a.hulva@coxinet.net Location: Edmond, OK Zone: 73034 Name: Al Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 456 BananaBucks : 62,372 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 3,693 Times Was Thanked 779 Times in 317 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 437 Times	Re: Cutting back a water mama to allow a sword? If you don't need any more plants, I would remove the biggest pup and leave one of the smaller ones. Another approach that I use is to take a machete and slice between mother and the pup but leave it in place. This way you don't disturb the roots of either one and they will continue to grow until you decide what you want. I agree with Rainforezt not to cut off the mother.

07-07-2016, 11:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
Snarkie The Cat Whisperer Location: Charlotte, NC Zone: 8b, pushing 9a Name: D.A. Hänks Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,119 BananaBucks : 189,962 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times Was Thanked 1,976 Times in 1,145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times	Re: Cutting back a water mama to allow a sword? Thanks for the info. This was a pair of twins that are doing absolutely nothing, but now have a sword sucker coming up. I like the idea of cutting between them, so if the sword gets taller than the mama's in a week or two, I will try that approach. __________________ Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America "Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

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