Rupert (W.Yorkshire) wrote:
"a.c." wrote in message
ups.com...
(3rd attempt today)
1) Does anyone know if there are any uses for a banana stalk if I
decide to cut my 2m+ plant to the ground to make it easier to protect
and to encourgae more clumping.
2) What trigger is required to promote fruiting, e.g. X number of days
at X degrees, or something else?
Thanks.

Obviously I'm just dreaming given that I intend to leave my plant, (as
yet intact) outside in a pillar of straw, where temperature dropped to
-5 degrees earlier in the year. (West Flanders, belgium)

I assume you are growing Basjoo or Sikkimensis?
You could dry the stalk and use the fibre to weave a mat or roof tiles
etc:-)
I tried eating a bit and it is foul --very bitter.
If you chop the thing down to the ground then although it will regrow you
will not get fruit . The thing should flower at about 3 metres ,although a
lot depends on the heat and water. I could waffle on for ages about nanas
but this link answers your second question in more detail
http://www.jungleseeds.co.uk/BananaArticle.htm

Thank you so much for that.
I had bought it at a sort of gardener's car boot sales and up to now
had no real idea as to which type it is. Looking at the pics on that
site, I'd say I've got Basjoo
Pity about the in-edibility bit. I noticed the smell from a stalk that
got ripped off and thought it reminded me a bit of cane sugar... but
with the bitter taste you mention, obviously I'm recalling a different
scent from way back when I used to live in Central America.
On the plus side, should my straw pillar fail and I have to cut it down
to the ground, I do know where there are a few weave-based industries
nearby and so could try to sell them a raw material they've probably
not tried before (-:
Though with only one stalk to weave from.....
There could always be always next years clump.