Banana Babies

[ruskinPalms]

Hello, I have what I think may be a super dwarf cavendish banana clump. I was wondering if it is possible to dig up the little babies at the base so that I can move them to other locations in the yard.

Pics of the plant and closeup of the pups:

[MattyB]

Yes, you can dig these up easily.   Just try and get as many roots as possible but even if you don't get but a few they'll make it with warmth and water.  I've rooted them out in a bucket of water w/ a weak solution of Miracle Grow fertilizer in it.  Give it a try, they're easy.  I must say though, I think it needs to be spring or summer for it to work for California.

[JakeK]

Wait till the pups grow a bit larger. I usually divide mine when the pups have at least 2 true leaves.

What I do is use a very sharp pruning saw that I do not use for actual pruning. I begin by sawing the area between the pup and the mother making sure I am actually severing the joined tuber and not the bulb of the pup. Then I dig around the outside of the pup and lift them. Banana pups are very forgiving as long as you keep the newly divided pup moist, but not wet and also out of direct sun until it begins to form more roots.

[aussiearoids]

There is a special tool used for removing suckers , its a heavy duty all steel spade looking thingy with a thin triangular head .. bit expensive at over $100AU .

Use a normal shovel and give it a good sharpen with a bastard file  ???  the suckers with thin leaves are the best , large leafed ones are called water suckers and are never used by commercial growers . Best to pick a smaller one say approx 2' tall max , smaller is better .

Work the sharp shovel down straight between the mother plant , you will feel it when you sever the pup , and it will usually just pop right out , if not a dig and lift from the outside of the clump will remove it easily .

If your 'stand' of bananas is getting to big , often a good idea to thin out all excess suckers , cut of top , scoop out a hollow with sharpened spoon , pour in a dash of kerosene  = instant death to sucker  

I am surrounded by the largest commercial banana growing area in Australia.

[ruskinPalms]

Thanks for replies. I think I will be trying to get a few of these to use as free, quick growing tropical foliage for some landscaping beds I am planning to create. I love bananas because they grow so quick and and add substance to otherwise slow growing beds. That clump came from a little 1' tall plant planted last year in march.