I trim mine off after about 8-10" of male blooms. If you cut them to close to the bunch, the stem will sometimes dry up into the bunch and ruin some of the bananas.

I only have small new plants.(first time grower)
Does one always have to cut off male blooms and how do you distinguish them?

Wendy, guys don't have babies and male banana flowers do not make bananas.

Whoops! Thank you.
I presume the male flower is that long purple thing I can see in pictures hanging off the botton of the hand
Do most people cut it off and at what stage in its developement, if it should be cut off?
Wendy

Leave about 8-12" after the last banana, and then cut it off.