Banana question...

[Deleted]

Around my banana, which is about 3-4ft tall, I have 6 'suckers' coming up about 4 inches away from the plant.

Can I a/ chop them off at ground level and that's that, or better still b/ chop them off further down and make new plants (if so, advice welcome)?

My banana is in a reletively confined area - i.e. I couldn't have half a dozen in the one spot, plus I guess they'd sap strength from the main plant.

[Deleted]

[Doris_Pinks]

Dawn,I leave most of mine on as I wan't a group of them!
They are the babies and if you get a knife and cut them away under the soil, you will end up with loads of banana plants to give away!  DP

[Deleted]

Oooh lovely, thanks!

[Roy Bham UK]

:o If you are cramped for space these little darlings can get enormous in a very short time if this heatwave keeps up and you feed and water well.

If you really want to save the suckers you should get at least one root with each sucker when you sever them, otherwise they will struggle to survive.

Try scraping away soil to expose the pup and a few roots, then use a sharp blade like a hoe, spade or trowel to carefully separate.

These 4ft babies can fetch up to £60 in garden centres, you have a little gold mine there Dawn. ;D

[Mrs Ava]

Apparently, if you want them to fruit (fat chance huh!) you should remove all the babies so the parent plant can put all of it's energy into itself and not waste it on reproducing.

[philcooper]

Dawn,

What variety is it?

Phil

[Deleted]

thanks for this advice. Very good question phil - will have to check.

[Deleted]

Found it - its the common Musa Basjoo. Grows huge (climate willing!), so i only have space to keep the one!