Banana Pup Splitting Tutorial
Separating the Baby 'Pup' from the Parent Corm
If you've ever grown bananas then you've come to realize pretty quickly they are going to multiply... sometimes quite rapidly. No, bananas are not related to bamboo, but sometimes you might think it. This blog entry it meant to quickly show you just how easy it is to split bananas from one another and away from the "mother corm."
Utilizing the Proper Digging Tool
First, you need to select the right tool; and it's not your shovel. Your shovel is too wide to get into the narrow space you're probably digging in and will likely do more damage than not. It also cannot give you the proper leverage you'll need. The best tool we've found, one that has been hailed by others as, "perfect for the job," is the digging bar.
You can pick one up at your local hardware store for $30-$40 tops or, even simpler; you can you purchase this digging bar directly from Amazon. Ultimately, you're looking for a bar that has a broad flat tip, not a sharp one; see corresponding the photo for an example. *Image link also goes to the recommended bar at Amazon.com*
When to split the pup off the mother corm
Once you've got the right tool, you simply need to educate yourself on what's going on beneath the surface. The illustration shown here is what a typical banana mat looks like above and below ground (click to enlarge). We'll go over exactly how to severe the pup from the main banana plant (mother corm).
Before you start chopping away, let's go over what size pups you can remove from the mother plant. If it's under a foot tall, forget about it - the corm hasn't had time to develop adequately. If you split one off this size, you're only real chance at getting it to survive is to put it in water until it can develop (if it does at all). Sometime when digging up a banana or splitting a larger pup, you'll discover these smaller pups by accident, so it's worth knowing you can *try* and save them. But as a general rule, don't try and split pups under 1ft tall.
Water vs Sword Sucker Banana Pups
Banana Sword Suckers vs. Water Suckers
Not all Banana Pups are the same
There are also two types of pups you should know about, water suckers and sword suckers. The photo here shows the difference. The sword sucker on the right has a tremendous amount of root structure compared to the water sucker on the left. Guess which one will grow faster once split from the parent plant?
Right... the sword sucker. All those roots mean excellent and fast growth. The water sucker doesn't have much of a corm, and will be slow to grow - and in some cases, it might die off entirely.
Water suckers are often very dependent on the mother corm for their well being. Sword suckers already have developed their own corm, and are better suited for growth away from the mother corm. But on that note, ALL bananas will grow faster when still attached to the mother corm. Once you split a pup, it's going to grow slower than it would if it were still attached. Rest assured though that once it recovers from the shock of being moved/separated, it'll thrive again.
Making the Cut
Severing the Pup from the Parent Banana Plant
Knowing what you do now, the key is to go in at the right angle with your digging bar. If you go in at to shallow an angle you might not get enough of the corm, or too obtuse and you might get too much and damage the mother corm in the process. This isn't an exact science, but the illustration here is an excellent guide to follow. Click the image to enlarge it.
Once you sever the connection, the pup should pull right out of the ground - try and keep as many roots as you can without digging up too much around the banana. The roots are pretty strong and will hold as you pull out the pup. If you're in clay, just us extra caution pulling the pup out since clay is more likely to hold onto the roots.
What to expect after the Banana pup transplant
The pup is going to wilt a good bit after you re-pot it or place it back in the ground. You can help the process by trimming off the leaves (except the newest one at the top), or you can water it slowly and thoroughly until it perks back up. Chances are most of the leaves are going to wither off though, and you'll have to remove them anyway.
After you split a pup, its main focus is going to be with rebuilding the roots.
An extra word of caution to those living in Northern Climates...
If you're splitting the pup off after September in zones 7-9, use caution before putting it back in the ground - especially if it's a small pup. It may not have time to grow new roots for the winter ahead adequately if you wait too late in the season. If you're in a northern zone, you may want to pot your pup up anytime after mid-July and wait and put it in the garden the following year.
If you have questions about splitting pups, drop us a line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time of year is best for splitting banana pups?
Late spring through mid-summer gives the pup the longest growing season to establish roots before winter. In zones 7-9, avoid splitting after mid-July unless you plan to pot up and overwinter indoors.
How big should a banana pup be before I split it?
At least one foot tall. Anything smaller hasn't developed enough corm to sustain itself. You can try rooting smaller pups in water, but the success rate drops significantly below 12 inches.
Will the mother plant be damaged when I remove a pup?
Not if you use the right angle with a digging bar. The mother corm is large and resilient. You're severing a connection point, not cutting into the main plant. The mother will continue growing and producing new pups within weeks.
Should I water a newly split pup immediately?
Yes. Water it slowly and thoroughly right after transplanting. The pup will wilt regardless because it lost its root connection to the mother. Keep the soil consistently moist for the first two weeks while new roots establish.
