Banana tree support
 

Just wondering what you all use to support your banana trees when they are carrying a heavy load of fruit.

Also, I have a large fruiting banana tree that is getting close to my home's structure. Im worried that I need a few more inches of space so the bunch is not resting on the roof. Is there a way I can 'push' the banana plant a few inches in a given direction without harming it?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and if you can provide pictures.. that would be even better! :)

Re: Banana tree support
 

This has been covered numerous times here on the board...possibly as recently as last week if I remember correctly. Use the search feature and you should find quite a bit of info on this.

Re: Banana tree support
 

I had a big bunch last year and it started to fall so my husband built a support (with instruction from all the great banana people on this site) using plastic pipe.
Jon at Encanto Farms web site has a better picture and instructions.
http://webebananas.com/culture.html it's about half way down the page "propping".

Here is a picture of mine.

Jen

Re: Banana tree support
 

see http://webebananas.com/culture.html section 4

Re: Banana tree support
 

There was also an Article in the BQ I think.

Re: Banana tree support
 

Thanks for all the suggestions! I am going to get some PVC pipe to hold up the bunch.

However, I still may have a problem with my manzano banana tree. The flower seems to be heading straight for my roof. There is a slim chance it will curve in more than expected and miss my roof, but I still would like to see if I could nudge the whole plant or bunch over a little bit without harming anything. Any suggestions?


Also, my newly discovered double mahoi banana tree will definitely not be able to support two bunches of fruit. Im not sure PVC pipe alone will be enough either. Please excuse the crude drawing, but I figured I'd scan an idea that I had for use as additional support.



Hypothetically, I would rest a 1x4 against the banana tree directly under where the fruit bunches are hanging, but not touching the stem.(I would use the pvc to support the stem). I would then place a 2x4 with one end in the ground and the other up against the 1x4 for support. I could also strengthen the structure further with more wood.

Im worried that the weight of the bunches combined with the flat surface of the wood might hurt the banana tree.. what do you guys think?

Re: Banana tree support
 

The important point in designing a support it to take the weight off of the pseudostem. Think about removing the whole bunch and hanging it somewhere (by ther stem). That is the affect you want. Your support should carry the weight of the bunch of bananas at the highest point of the stem, so that you are in effect hanging the bunch. With the weight supported there is no stress on the pseudostem. The 45 degree elbow in the top of the support allows you to spread the legs apart at an angle. When they are also angled away from the pseudostem, you end up forming a tripod which will help support the pseudostem, as well, and help it resist the wind. Tying the support to the stem also makes it likely that the support will not fall off even if the wind picks it up.

If you support it anywhere lower, you are only moving the stress point when it is likely to snap off.

The pseudostemn can support itself. It is the leverage of hanging 50-100# of bananas on the end of something long and weak that creates the problem. It is all leverage and physics. Try holding that bunch of bananas with you arm extended straight out to your side. Much harder to do than bearhugging the bunch. The same thing happens when you hang it at the end of a long pseudostem, and putting it in the wind makes it that much worse.