How to Kill Banana Plants
The banana is a tropical plant native to Asia. It produces large yellow fruit high in vitamins. Bananas require a lot of water and nutrients to grow and can quickly deplete the resources in your garden. The plants can also spread and be semi-invasive. Kill banana plants and remove them from your garden before they become a nuisance. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Handsaw or axe
- 1 ounce kerosene
- Broad-spectrum herbicide
- Syringe or funnel
- Shovel
- Pick
Instructions
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Use a handsaw or axe to chop down the banana plant to a height of two to three feet. Pour one ounce of kerosene into the center of the banana stump. The fibrous core of the plant will absorb the kerosene, killing it over the course of seven to 14 days.
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2
Empty kerosene into the furled centers of any banana shoots coming up around the stem. This ensures that the buried corms do not generate new shoots. A corm is an underground bulb that grows from an established banana plant into a new banana tree.
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3
Spray the banana plant with a broad spectrum herbicide as an alternative to kerosene. This method works best with juvenile plants that are only one to four feet tall. Spray the entire plant, including its stalk, with the herbicide. For best results, administer the herbicide on a dry day in the early morning. The herbicide also will kill any connected corms.
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Inject the banana plant with herbicide or kerosene if you do not want to chop it down. Drill a series of holes around the base of the banana plant, angling down into the plant at a 45 degrees. Use a large syringe or funnel and pour a total of one ounce of herbicide or kerosene into the holes. The entire plant will wilt and die within 14 days. Chop down and remove it once it is dead.
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5
Dig up the banana plant. This is the most labor intensive part, but is the only method of removal that doesn't rely on chemicals or kerosene. Use an axe or saw and chop down the plant's stalk. Dig up the stalk's roots with a shovel or pick. Remove any connected corms or they will sprout into new plants.
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Tips & Warnings
The fruit of the banana can be used for a variety of purposes. Some cultures even ferment bananas to create a sweet alcoholic beverage.
References
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Comments
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I cut back some banana trees at my sons house that he rented. When he moved out the landlord held $1300 because I cut the trees back. And no I stupidly did not ask but did plenty of research and found that cutting it back will NOT kill it. Tonight I heard from my son that my landscaping cost him $1300 and wo, that hurt. The landlord is the type who would have found something, anything so he would not have to give back the deposit. My son won in court and the guy still did not pay him but I am feeling real bad tough..
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Thanks. I tried pouring used engine oil but was partially successful. I'll try kerosene or diesel soon.
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I tried the kerosene approach yesterday; I am hoping to see results in 7 to 14 days.
