stem breaking problem
 

I'm having problems with a few of my bananas. The stem bends from the weight of the bunches.
This happens to my neighbors as well.

I stake mine as well as irrigate and fertilize.
This has happened to Goldfinger, Grand Naine and now Pisang Ceylan.

My neigbours neither stake, irrigate or fertilize. They have small bunches but the stems break about half way down when fruit get within a month of maturity. Their varieties normally don't need staking. (Lady finger-Brazillian)

Could it be a deficiency of some sort.

Pisang Ceylan with heavy bunch.


Cheers

Re: stem breaking problem
 

I don't know the answer but that sucks anyway... I hope someone can help you here...

Re: stem breaking problem
 

Your brace has sharp corners. Try a round rod or PCV pipe. One rule of machanical engeering is (sharp corners kill).

Re: stem breaking problem
 

It also helps to brace the inflorescent and not the tree itself. My Ice cream often snap in half when they are not braced correctly.

Re: stem breaking problem
 

The goal of "bracing" or "Propping" is to get the weight off the pseudostem. That mean that you have to support the weight of the bananas at the very highest point of the stem.





Pisang Ceylon will always need propping.