Bananas.org - View Single Post - Retaining some pseudostem length after harvest

Natureboy · 11-28-2011, 08:43 PM

In the Waddick/Stokes book "Bananas You Can Grow", they mention the following: "After harvesting the fruit, cut the banana pseudostem back to about 6 ft. This allows the rhizome to reabsorb nutrients stored in the pseudostem. When the pseudostem falls over, cut it to the ground and dispose of it."

I've heard from other growers who leave a few feet of pstem intact after harvesting, but never 6ft. I wonder if there is any evidence supporting the claim above. Sometimes I cut to the ground to allow for more room, while other times I will leave a few feet of pstem, but it's hard to say whether leaving any intact has an impact whatsoever.

Curious what others think about this and if any studies have been done. Might chopping entire pstem and scattering around mat produce the same absorption of nutrients?

11-28-2011, 08:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Natureboy Natureboy's Photo Gallery Location: Titusville, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 9B Name: Nate Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 91 BananaBucks : 47,417 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 124 Times Was Thanked 138 Times in 59 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Retaining some pseudostem length after harvest In the Waddick/Stokes book "Bananas You Can Grow", they mention the following: "After harvesting the fruit, cut the banana pseudostem back to about 6 ft. This allows the rhizome to reabsorb nutrients stored in the pseudostem. When the pseudostem falls over, cut it to the ground and dispose of it." I've heard from other growers who leave a few feet of pstem intact after harvesting, but never 6ft. I wonder if there is any evidence supporting the claim above. Sometimes I cut to the ground to allow for more room, while other times I will leave a few feet of pstem, but it's hard to say whether leaving any intact has an impact whatsoever. Curious what others think about this and if any studies have been done. Might chopping entire pstem and scattering around mat produce the same absorption of nutrients? __________________ Praying hands: a good way to thank God and a darn good banana, too! Current varieties: Dwarf Namwah, FHIA-03 (Sweetheart), White Iholena, Maoli, Orinoco, Manzano (Apple), Praying Hands, Dwarf Brazilian, Pisang Raja, Rajapuri, Ice Cream (Blue Java), FHIA-01 (Goldfinger), Kandarian Last edited by Natureboy : 11-29-2011 at 09:17 AM.