I am cleaning up all the brown leaves on my bananas now that danger of cold is past. I have read NOT to use the leaves as mulch as it will cause disease but I have also read that when I take down a plant that has borne fruit I should leave the plant as compost. Now I imangine that the latter also allows mama plant to continue to nurture the pups until mama is completely dead, but I would think that then the decaying remains would create the same potential for disease as cut off leaves. All plant parts are going to be compost SOMEWHERE in my garden (house rule) so what is the right thing to do? Should I use banana bits elsewhere or is it ok to use it on the bananas?

In the jungle I guess there is no choice!

Thanks for the advice.

Anita