Fear of cutting back!

17 years ago

My potted orinoco is approx 15 ft tall, including pot. It should be close to blooming and hopefully won't do so within the next month before time to toss it in the greenhouse. We keep the GH coolish, not warm enough for bananas to continue growing... maybe a single leaf, maybe two, over winter.

Generally what I would do is cut them back and stick pot and all in the GH. However, I'm afraid of cutting off that potential bloom! I've thought about cutting it off just below the lowest leaf, but that would leave it too tall for the GH should it throw another leaf or two. Of course, I then could simply cut off any new leaves. Or, I could cut it back just under the oldest leaf, pull it from the pot and simply lie in on the ground in the GH.

What would you guys do?

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Comments (4)

tropicpalms
17 years ago
are all of your ceilings in your house only 8 ft? The reason i ask is I was in the same situation with the same banana ( i posted pics like 2 weeks ago) last year this time I couldnt leave it out or cut it... so I have a raised roof to about 20' so I brought it in and in a huge trashcan as a pot. it did ok grew slowly and as soon as i brought it outside bam! it bloomed and flowered and made some bananas and still is currently! Thanks -Justin in VB
moonie_57 (8 NC)
Original Author
17 years ago
I think I'm done with overwintering plants in the house. My husband would kill me after the years I spent whining for a GH, then have them in the house?

I scrolled down to look at your pics. Nice!
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sandy0225
16 years ago
cut it back minimally to whatever height you absolutely have to--since that's all you can do. After cutting it back, cut open the part you cut off and make sure the bloom isn't inside.If it is, then go ahead and cut the thing way back and wait for pups, if it isn't, you're good to go!
tropicalzone7
16 years ago
I would just cut the leaves off and lay it down on the floor of your greenhouse. You definately don't want to cut off that bloom.

Good luck!