I have done a STUPID thing. I have (had) an Ensente maurellii for two years, it has been huge and beautiful. Last year I cut it back to about ten inches tall and it was fine. This year when I brought it out of the basement from overwintering, I cut it back way too far...actually to the quick. It bled for about a week or more, has now stopped, is doing nothing. This was about three weeks ago. Have I killed it???
At this point should I take it out of the pot and examine the roots to see if they are dead, rotted...or should I just keep waiting to see if anything happens from this radical surgery.....which I will never perform on the next one!!!
Looking for a Banana Guru.....
I would give it a few more weeks to recover, you may not have killed it after all :>)
Christine
No, it should be fine. You have just shocked it a bit - it should start putting out leaves soon - be patient. Around my area, almost everyone cuts them to the ground in the winter and they are just now starting to put out new growth.
Don't be surprised to see 'pups' or baby banana plants coming up around the base of the plant - hopefully it's in a big enough pot to accommodate the new plants.
Thanks Christine for your response. I hope it will be okay....I will NEVER cut one that severe again!
Hello KayJones! I am glad to hear from you! How do you like your new home in Florida??
As to the banana it is a "red" and I don't think they put out any pups. Is is in a big pot, but I just don't know. At least Christine and you have given me a small bit of hope.
I wonder if I should go sparingly on the water since there is no plant to use it up, and I don't want to cause the roots to rot?
Hi, Jonetta - I LOVE living here - you can grow a dead stick here - well, it will pretty much grow on its own - come on down - we've struck oil! I'm just joking - the oil spill is aweful and will affect so many of my friends and neighbors, not to mention the tourism!
Ya, quit watering it until you see new growth.
I am so glad you love it down there! I am happy for you!!
I just went out awhile ago and poked around on it. The center is hard as a rock. I don't know how anything can grow up from it.....but here is CERTAINLY hoping!!!!
Dumb, dumb, dumb mistake!!
I think of you every once in a while. I think because of following your sadness and loss of your husband so closely. I am sorry I never made it up to the city before you left to give you the cardinal flower seeds. I just should have mailed them and took a chance of them getting ran through the sorter. I don't have any plant this year, but ran across the envelope the other day with your name on it......made me think of you again! I doubt the seeds would be any good by now.
Anyway thanks again for the help with the banana!!!!
I have the plant now, but thanks for thinking of me. Yes, losing my husband was the most devastating thing one can imagine - I don't know if I will ever accept it!