I usually cut the flower off once the male flowers appear but leave about a foot of stem so that the cut won't start to rot and work its way upward toward the bananas.

Steve

Thanks for the answer.

I saw an episode of Eat The Weeds where the guy ate the large flower on the end of his banana stalk. Has anyone ever tried it? I'm glad to hear you can safely remove it without any harm coming to the bananas.

I have seen the banana flowers for sale at the Asian Supermarkets around here. I think they stir fry them.

I cut the flower off of my plant about 2 feet below the last hand of fruit about a week ago and rot has already worked its way about a foot up the flower stalk. Is there any way I can prevent it from reaching the fruit?

Try powered sulphur. You should be able to find it at the box stores or your local feed store. Cut off the rotted part and then stick the stem in the bag of sulphur up to 2 or 3 inches of stalk. Leave it. If it rains and it washes off the sulphur, do it again.

Steve