Author Topic: Cheap banana brace ideas?  (Read 2051 times)

Coach62

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Cheap banana brace ideas?
« on: September 23, 2018, 03:43:57 PM »
Well, a year after Irma wiped out all of my mature banana plants, it suddenly seems that ALL of my remaining plants are getting ready to bare fruit.  I suddenly find myself in need of several banana braces and don't want to spend a fortune.

Anyone have any good ideas for cheap, effective banana braces?

One idea I had was to get 2 2X2's and tie them together with rope in an X pattern, this would be easy to adjust and pretty cheap.

Any other ideas appreciated!
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scashaggy

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2018, 05:49:42 PM »
That's pretty much what I do. 

pineislander

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2018, 06:50:12 PM »
Two bamboo poles lashed together. Most folks who have bamboo clumps eventually have dried culms which should be removed to prevent crowding. A pruning saw works well to cut them out.
 

spaugh

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2018, 06:53:40 PM »
I used the 2x2s and drill a hole larger than screw in one and screw into the 2nd one to make a X pattern and they can be spread out.  You need to get the crotch of the supports the right height.
Brad Spaugh

Coach62

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2018, 07:50:50 PM »
I used the 2x2s and drill a hole larger than screw in one and screw into the 2nd one to make a X pattern and they can be spread out.  You need to get the crotch of the supports the right height.

Took me a while to figure this one out.  So you use a wood screw?  I assume you leave it snug, but not tight?

My thought with using lashings was that it would be very easy and quick to move lashings in case I'm going from a 10' plant to a 6' plant.  But the screw idea has merit for sure. 

Does anyone use pipe insulation or some padding on the brace?
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sunworshiper

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2018, 08:08:46 PM »
I've used plastic pvc pipe before - two long poles and some corner pieces to make a cross bar.

Coach62

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2018, 08:14:40 PM »
I've used plastic pvc pipe before - two long poles and some corner pieces to make a cross bar.
How would you adjust the height?  I have numerous varieties of differing heights.
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sunworshiper

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2018, 09:03:31 PM »
The height can be adjusted somewhat by the angle of the poles put the ends farther from the plant to make it shorter can vary by a couple feet that way.

spaugh

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2018, 09:18:33 PM »
I used the 2x2s and drill a hole larger than screw in one and screw into the 2nd one to make a X pattern and they can be spread out.  You need to get the crotch of the supports the right height.

Took me a while to figure this one out.  So you use a wood screw?  I assume you leave it snug, but not tight?

My thought with using lashings was that it would be very easy and quick to move lashings in case I'm going from a 10' plant to a 6' plant.  But the screw idea has merit for sure. 

Does anyone use pipe insulation or some padding on the brace?

Quarter inch by 4" lag bolt should be good.  Yes, leavenslightly loose so they can move.  Its pretty darn simple to make.  2 2x2s and alag bolt.
Brad Spaugh

Daintree

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2018, 09:27:28 PM »
Are they close to a building? I have my banana stake up in my greenhouse by tying a t-shirt around the trunk, then tying the t-shirt to a rope which is tied to the wall of the greenhouse.

Good luck!

Carolyn

weiss613

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #10 on: September 24, 2018, 05:17:24 PM »
Buy nylon strapping 1-2”. Wrap one loosely around the top of the stalk right below the part that’s hanging.
with bananas. Then wrap 3 straps in 3 directions around that top strap. Run each strap to a tree or a fence. They can be far away doesn’t matter. Now those bananas wont fall forward or to the sides and you won’t strangulate the stalk.

Ulfr

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #11 on: September 24, 2018, 07:48:47 PM »
I just cut and keep forked branches when clearing. Work well  :)

pineislander

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2018, 07:57:09 PM »
In Central America they use twines to tie all the trees together making a mutual support web.
See video @ 8:00 minutes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj9sh1dHIkU

FruitFreak

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Re: Cheap banana brace ideas?
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2018, 10:09:32 PM »
2” PVC all the way!!  If you don’t want to pay for fittings you can drill holes and tie to each other with large zip ties.  Long lasting and very sturdy.
- Marley