Too late to prune?

TracyNC1 · 02-14-2009, 10:30 AM

Hi everyone! I recently moved to NC (zone 7) from MN (zone3). I'm happy to see that my red abs. banana survived the winter in iffy conditions (dark outside closet attached to house, much warmer than recommended). However, it has about 3' of old stem with new growth coming out of the top. I'm wondering if I can cut it back closer to the ground without killing it, or did I miss my chance last fall? It is in a container, so a shorter/neater look would be nice if possible.

I'm starting to leave the closet door open during the day, closing it overnight, to give the banana light since it is actively growing.

Thanks for any help!

dablo93 · 02-14-2009, 02:07 PM

zone 3 is cold!:O
but i dont understand why you want to cut it down, it is almost spring so its not bad that there is already a litlle growth

TracyNC1 · 02-14-2009, 02:17 PM

Is it bad for me to admit that the base looks untidy with old leaf remnants? It looked so pretty when the leaves came right out of the bottom, but due to our move and zone 3 weather, it lost a lot of its lower leaves. If it is better to leave it, I'll do that!

Michael_Andrew · 02-15-2009, 10:36 AM

Hi Tracy. I don't consider myself an expert especially enste but I think you can pretty much wack em off anytime and be safe. No one was giving you an answer so maybe if I chime in someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

TracyNC1 · 02-15-2009, 03:46 PM

Thanks - it looked that way from my previous searches but I didn't want to gamble with my favorite plant. After looking at the stem today, I'm wondering if I could achieve the same goal just by peeling off all the old/dead leaves completely? They are completely brown, very thick, and filled with water. I tried to remove them, but I was only able to trim them back a bit due to how thick they were. Maybe a knife is the best tool for such a job, as long as I could be sure not to cut into the main trunk?

Patty in Wisc · 02-17-2009, 12:04 AM

Tracy, all nana plants have some brown on them - it's normal. Mine is growing inside & when a leaf dies I cut it off. Then the 'stub' of that leaf turns brown & if I want it to look nicer, I cut the brown off. Only take off/cut was is brown. If they are full of water they will just rot off. You sure you're not overwatering?
I wouldn't worry so much about the brown. Look at pics of other nanas - esp ones planted outdoors - the leaves are all tattered, but it's OK!

02-14-2009, 10:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
TracyNC1 Location: Huntersville, NC Find me on the map! Zone: 7 Name: Tracy Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 4,340 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Too late to prune? Hi everyone! I recently moved to NC (zone 7) from MN (zone3). I'm happy to see that my red abs. banana survived the winter in iffy conditions (dark outside closet attached to house, much warmer than recommended). However, it has about 3' of old stem with new growth coming out of the top. I'm wondering if I can cut it back closer to the ground without killing it, or did I miss my chance last fall? It is in a container, so a shorter/neater look would be nice if possible. I'm starting to leave the closet door open during the day, closing it overnight, to give the banana light since it is actively growing. Thanks for any help!

02-14-2009, 02:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
dablo93 dablo93 's Photo Gallery Location: Randstad North Find me on the map! Zone: Z8b-Z9a, wet cold winters and mild summers Name: daen Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 909 BananaBucks : 96,761 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 122 Times Was Thanked 262 Times in 166 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 159 Times	Re: Too late to prune? zone 3 is cold!:O but i dont understand why you want to cut it down, it is almost spring so its not bad that there is already a litlle growth __________________ -=

02-14-2009, 02:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
TracyNC1 Location: Huntersville, NC Find me on the map! Zone: 7 Name: Tracy Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 4,340 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Too late to prune? Is it bad for me to admit that the base looks untidy with old leaf remnants? It looked so pretty when the leaves came right out of the bottom, but due to our move and zone 3 weather, it lost a lot of its lower leaves. If it is better to leave it, I'll do that!

02-15-2009, 10:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Michael_Andrew Michael_Andrew's Photo Gallery Location: Toledo, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Michael Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 517 BananaBucks : 68,590 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 248 Times Was Thanked 384 Times in 182 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 226 Times	Re: Too late to prune? Hi Tracy. I don't consider myself an expert especially enste but I think you can pretty much wack em off anytime and be safe. No one was giving you an answer so maybe if I chime in someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

02-15-2009, 03:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
TracyNC1 Location: Huntersville, NC Find me on the map! Zone: 7 Name: Tracy Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 4,340 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Too late to prune? Thanks - it looked that way from my previous searches but I didn't want to gamble with my favorite plant. After looking at the stem today, I'm wondering if I could achieve the same goal just by peeling off all the old/dead leaves completely? They are completely brown, very thick, and filled with water. I tried to remove them, but I was only able to trim them back a bit due to how thick they were. Maybe a knife is the best tool for such a job, as long as I could be sure not to cut into the main trunk?

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02-17-2009, 12:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 346,546 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: Too late to prune? Tracy, all nana plants have some brown on them - it's normal. Mine is growing inside & when a leaf dies I cut it off. Then the 'stub' of that leaf turns brown & if I want it to look nicer, I cut the brown off. Only take off/cut was is brown. If they are full of water they will just rot off. You sure you're not overwatering? I wouldn't worry so much about the brown. Look at pics of other nanas - esp ones planted outdoors - the leaves are all tattered, but it's OK! __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

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