yeah... you gotta fix that. it will surely fall over. i have a similar situation--i run a strong string with a hose-piece around the tree (the hose prevents the twine from cutting the stalk), as close to the top as possible, and then around a neighboring fencepost, pulled very tight. it works very well.

I've seen people use a 2x4 under the leaning side.

I use a 2x4 with a carpeted "T" piece at the end. Works pretty well.

Kate

Michael, there's nothing out there that I could tie it to.

Christine & Kate, what prevents the tree from just falling to one side?

I'm thinking of getting two 2x4s and bolting them together close to the distal end to form a cross support for the tree. You all are suggesting supporting the tree, not the stalk, right?

Hopefully it'll still be standing tonight when I get home and I can shoot a picture....

Tom

Tom

Your idea sounds good about the two 2x4s. I have seen something similar in other countries, where bananas are a main crop.

The heat and winds are bad lately. We supported the fruiting stalk with a one 2x4.

Silvia

I lost a tree Saturday. It was too high to support the stalk and the dang thing bent in 2. Unfortunately the bananas are on the west side of the house and it's almost like a wind tunnel during bad storms.
Next time I'll try the 2x4 with the carpet.

Tom, Your plan sounds perfect. Be sure to get the crotch of the X snugly under the fruiting stalk.
I've used the 2 suggestions above (tied back to a stronger tree and the 2x4 stuck firmly under the fruiting stalk) both with good result.

Would it be better to support the tree or the fruit stalk?

I'm at work right now and Big Brother blocks the pictures so I can't see any that are posted here until tonight, and I plan on getting the materials to fix this problem on the way home today....

Tom
I think your best bet is support both because the tree is leaning. Good luck with your project. I am sure you will come up with the right solution.
Silvia

Pondering this situation I've come to realize I created the problem. When I decided to put the bananas in the raised beds I didn't consider that most of the soil in there was potting mix. Even compacted over the past five years it doesn't provide a strong basis for root anchorage like a podzolic Florida soil would. Having said that I guess I'll end up supporting them all when they are fruiting :-(

Okay, so here's round one. I thought first and foremost it best to support the tree, what next?

Tom

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We just support the fruit stalk but do it close to the tree. We used to use a 2x4 with a carpeted V section bolted to the end to prevent the stalk from slipping to the side. But we loaned it to a neighbor and it never came back. When we needed one in a hurry, we did the quick fix with just a T covered with a piece of scrap carpet and it works fine.

wh not run a line to that palm?

Tom,

I think you did the right thing by supporting the trunk. The fruit stalk should naturally be be strong enough to support the fruit. It is only because the trunk is leaning that it needs extra support. The fruit stalk is pretty solid on its own.

John

Michael - that's not my tree....

John - thanks, it'll do for now. I'm not wild about having the board apply pressure directly against the tree but I knew that if I didn't do something soon I'd lose the tree/stalk. I've ordered a set of 15" anchors because want to have better options in the future to deal with this problem. I like Michael's idea better of running line through garden hose but I plan to stake the tree in place, that will be round two! Pictures to follow in a couple of weeks....

Tom

BTW, Silvia, Kate and Treefrog, thanks for your suggestions too. And Tree, WHERE the heck you been? Nice to see you posting again :-)

Tom

Well, I said I'd post some updated pictures in a few weeks since others will run into this problem sometime so here we go.

My second Mahoi put out its fruit stalk much sooner than I'd expected so I decided to try staking the tree to compare how the two plants do. I purchased some 15" anchors and staked this one. The placement of the lines is not optimal but was necessary as I really couldn't place the lines in my neighbor's yard where it would have posed a problem mowing....

The first Mahoi is doing well with its 2x4 supports.

Tom

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Hi Tom,

Man, I'm impressed that you are producing fruit that quickly in those beds. When I was there in April, there were onions in the beds. How large a plant did you transplant?

bernie

Hey Bernie, you just didn't notice the naners, the onions were in the two adjacent beds between the naners, notice they are still empty awaiting some sort of planting? :-)

Tom-nice job on staking.
I just read what you wrote a couple of weeks ago about planting them in raised beds with potting mix. Maybe that potting mix is part of the problem but I'm at my 3rd house growing bananas I've had bananas fall over at all 3. Bananas just fall over!
But here is an FYI. I used a 2 by 4 with a Y end on my leaning tree a few weeks back. Now the tree doesn't need the 2 by 4...it is more upright...supporting itself. what do ya know???

I've had the same problem. The carpeted V under the stalk did the trick. I just noticed someting about all the pics. They all seem to be in the shade, as mine are. Maybe they are not developing a strong enough plant.
john

I just shot the pictures late afternoon so it would be easier to see the support systems. They are shaded until mid-morning so I think they are ALL reaching slightly to the east to pick up more sun, but they get full sun from mid-morning until late afternoon. Since it's open down there it could also be that the wind is a factor, but it's usually blowing north to northeast off the lake, and the trees are leaning southeast.