Re: Water suckers
 

Often times when I have water suckers coming up something is wrong. My Ice Cream, which was several years old, was sending out keiki very quickly. After digging it up & cutting into the corm did I find the problem. Weevils.

This year I may have the same issue. The eldest mat now, Dwarf Chinese, is sending out numerous water suckers. Time to dig it up & salvage what is available. It is better to find nanners that are resistant to these things.

Re: Water suckers
 

I've got a lot to learn. I'm writing down these terms to learn what they mean. Good info though for sure.

Re: Water suckers
 

Please forgive my ignorance but I am assuming the sword sucker in the picture is on the right? I have a number of these on my basjoo and I want to know when I should separate them from the mom. I want to be able to eventually transplant them when the time is appropriate. I live in southern Illinois, zone 6a, no frost or freezing yet but will soon. I plan to leave my moms in the ground after cutting down to 12" and mulching heavily.

Do I separate the pups now or do I wait until spring? I would like to transplant them directly in the ground in the spring if it is advisable. Thanks so much for any info...oh yea, exactly what is a pstem?

Re: Water suckers
 

A Pstem is short for pseudostem, it's your banana plant's stalk.
Unless they are musa basjoo, forget leaving them in the ground as they will most likely never make it thru an Illinois winter...(Although in Central Illinois several years ago I did have a few unprotected gladiolus make it thru a winter there. It was a very mild winter, though.)

Re: Water suckers
 

My plants are musa basjoo. Planning on using mulch, straw and Styrofoam box. When should I separate the pups tho? Thanks

Re: Water suckers
 

I would think that if you whack them off now, it will stress the plant over the winter, particularly the pups, but I could be wrong. I'm going to leave all of mine in place over the winter and separate next spring.

Re: Water suckers
 

Wow.... some great info in this thread!!!:woohoonaner:

Pups from most cultivars can be removed successfully regardless of size, with roots or without when given the proper care and conditions.

:08:
Hopefully the Manini on top will be as beautiful as the photo below it.

Re: Water suckers
 

Some vigorous suckers

Re: Water suckers
 

Like always Keith, your pictures are amazing!
:nanadrink:

Re: Water suckers
 

I've grown thousands of Water Suckers and have always had great success with them. Most of the largest plant crop bunches I've grown were produced by Water Suckers and they consistently produce heavier bunches than the large Sword Suckers do. About the only thing that might be considered negative is that they do need to be potted up and grown out a little before planting in the field.


My largest Manini bunch and fruit were produced by Water Suckers.





My largest African Rhino Horn bunch and fruit were also produced by Water Suckers.

Re: Water suckers
 

Forget the corms. I want those Halves! Are you a stacker?

I've got the Walking Liberty, Kennedy and the one with the moon/Liberty Bell.

Re: Water suckers
 

Thank you Keith for the amazing eye candy pictures!....

Re: Water suckers
 

Nice African Rhino Horn one of the musa i am looking for.
Thanks for the nice pics

Re: Water suckers
 

I bet PR-Giants can hook you up with a African Rhino Horn. Send Keith a pm.
:woohoonaner:

Re: Water suckers
 

vvv This is my collection. :D vvv

Re: Water suckers
 

Hello Mark
I have alredy askt some persons here for musa's.
But du to Internationale rule they will not ship to me.

Re: Water suckers
 

Sorry about that. I hope you find one.
:nanadrink:

Re: Water suckers
 

Stupid UN. Where are you?

Re: Water suckers
 

So can Home Despot. Earlier this year I spotted a 1 ft tall pup at the HD in Ft Pierce. Printed ID tag and all. It's growing out in a Jackpot now.

Been checking - no more since then.

Dan

Re: Water suckers
 

Now I'm jealous because I have never had a water sucker! Apparently I'm doing this musa thing all wrong.