Post
by seedscanada » Sat Dec 29, 2012 6:47 pm
Been growing and separating bananas for over seven years here.
When separating or dividing, the banana will die if it was cut from the mother plant, unless the pup has its own roots at the time of separation.
To prep a pup for separation, this year I slid a blade between the mother and pup. Being careful to cut only HALF way through the connecting tissues (or less), the pup is forced to try and support itself by establishing its own roots. A month later, I slid the blade past half way (about two thirds). I never did separate them, cuz now this plant in particular is in my living room in a 20 gallon pail. However this one experimental Cavendish pup is doing amazing! Vigorous growth, by far out growing is brother pup (not double cut as explained) and now half the size of its mother that is a mature plant.
When Separating pups in August from my outdoor Basjoos, 1 of four survived due to lack of roots on the removed pups. One had significant roots, one only some and it died, and two never sprouted roots, cuz that just seems to never happen, although for a while all four potted up were pushing new leaves.
This experience led me to try the double cut method i tried on my Cavendishes. I will do this this year on ALL my pups!
Anyone ever have an Ensete pup out? Not me, yet.
