Like most fruit trees, a banana plant sends out suckers. With grafted fruit trees, it is recommended that you prune and discard the suckers, but banana plant suckers (called “pups”) can be split from the parent plant and grown as new plants. Continue reading to learn how to divide a banana tree.
Banana Plant Splitting
In time, whether your banana plant is container grown or grown in ground, it will send out banana plant pups. Container grown banana plants may sprout suckers as a sign of stress -- from being pot bound, under watered or unhappy for some other reason. Sending out suckers is their way of trying to survive conditions that they are struggling in. The new pups will grow new roots that can suck up more water and nutrients for the parent plant. New pups can also begin to grow to replace a dying parent plant. Oftentimes though, a perfectly healthy banana plant will produce pups just because reproducing is a part of nature. When your banana plant sends out suckers, it is a good idea to examine the parent plant for signs of stress, disease or insects. You should also examine the roots of container grown banana plants to see if they are pot bound.
How to Divide a Banana Tree
After examination of the parent plant and root structure, you may choose to divide banana plant pups from the parent plant. Separating banana plants will give both the new pups and the parent plant a better chance at survival, as the new pups can take away water and nutrients from the parent plant causing it to die back. Dividing banana plants should be done only when the pup being divided has grown to at least a foot (30.48 cm.) tall. By that point, the pup should have developed its own roots so that it is not depending solely on the parent plant for survival. Pups that are removed from the parent plant before they develop their own roots are not likely to survive. To separate banana plants, gently remove the soil around the plant’s roots and sucker. When the soil is removed, you can make sure that the pup you are dividing is growing its own roots. If not, put the soil back and give it more time. If the pup has nice roots of its own growing separate from the parent plant, you can divide it and plant it as a new banana plant. With a clean, sharp knife, cut the banana plant pup off of the parent plant. Be careful not to cut any of the roots of the banana pup. Once cut, gently separate the roots of the parent plant and the banana plant pup. Try to get as much of the pup’s roots as you can. Then simply plant this new pup in a container or in the ground. Your new banana plants may wilt a little for the first week or two but will usually recover. Using a rooting fertilizer when dividing banana plants can help reduce the stress and shock of division. Also, water your new banana plants and the parent plant deeply and frequently after splitting to promote strong root development.
-
Grow a Bathroom Oasis: 8 Best Bathroom Plants With No Light or Low LightSome apartment dwellers grow the best bathroom plants with no light or low light. Read how one of our favorite plant lovers does it in the big city.
-
"My Worst Mistake" – Gardeners Share 10 Hard-Learned LessonsGardeners never stop learning, and sometimes our mistakes are the best teachers. But why not save time and heartache by learning from other gardeners' failures?
-
Japanese Banana Plant – Caring For A Musa Basjoo Hardy Banana VarietyThe Japanese banana plant lends that tropical island flair to gardens as far north as zone 5. If that sounds too good to be true, read on!
-
Banana Tree Fruit Issues: Why Do Banana Trees Die After FruitingBanana trees not only are beautiful tropical specimens, but most of them bear edible banana tree fruit. If you have ever seen or grown banana plants then you may have noticed banana trees dying after bearing fruit. Click this article to learn more.
-
Growing Ornamental Bananas – How To Grow A Red Banana PlantThere are many types of banana which produce copious amounts of fruit. But did you know there are also various types of the ornamental red banana plant too, specifically grown for their attractive red foliage color? Learn more about them here.
-
Thai Banana Fruit – How To Grow Thai Banana TreesIn Thailand, bananas are everywhere and synonymous with the tropical region they thrive in. If you're yearning to introduce a more tropical look to your landscape, try growing Thai bananas. What are Thai bananas? Click here to find out about Thai banana care.
-
Common Diseases Of Banana: What Causes Black Spots On Banana FruitBanana plants are prone to a number of diseases, many of which result in black spots on banana fruit. What causes black spot disease in bananas and are there any methods for treating black spots on banana fruit? Click this article to learn more.
-
Banana Tree Problems: What Causes Bananas With Cracked SkinIt takes some work to grow bananas and, even so, they are susceptible to their share of diseases and other banana tree problems. One such issue is bananas with cracked skin. Why do bananas split on the bunch? Find out about banana fruit cracking here.
-
Fusarium Wilt Of Banana: Managing Of Fusarium Wilt In BananasAlso known as Panama disease, fusarium wilt of banana is difficult to control and severe infections are often deadly. Click on this article to learn more about banana fusarium wilt disease, including management and control.
-
Banana Plant Diseases And Pests: Troubleshooting Problems Affecting BananasBanana plant problems can derail a successful plantation, and any of the problems affecting bananas may afflict the home gardener as well, so it's important to learn to identify banana pests and diseases to nip them in the bud. Click here to learn more.
