Banana plants are giant herbs that reproduce by sending up new shoots, commonly called “pups” or “suckers,” from their underground rhizome. These pups are a natural part of the banana plant’s life cycle and its method of propagation. Deciding whether to remove them is a common consideration, as it significantly impacts the plant’s health and productivity.
Understanding Banana Pups
Banana pups are new plantlets emerging from the parent plant’s underground rhizome. They serve as a means of vegetative propagation, ensuring the continuation of the banana clump. Two main types exist: “sword suckers” and “water suckers.”
Sword suckers have narrow, sword-like leaves and a strong connection to the parent rhizome. They are more desirable for propagation and replacing the main plant after fruiting, as they are vigorous growers and produce healthier fruit. Water suckers, in contrast, have broader leaves and a weaker connection to the mother plant. They are less desirable due to inferior fruit production and slower establishment if separated.
Making the Decision to Remove or Keep Pups
The decision to remove or keep banana pups depends on your gardening goals, whether you prioritize fruit production or plant multiplication. Removing pups directs the plant’s energy towards the main stem, leading to larger and healthier fruit. When multiple pups compete for limited water and nutrients, the parent plant’s overall vigor can decrease, affecting its yield.
Keeping a selective number of pups can support a continuous harvest cycle. As the main banana stem (which fruits only once) dies back after producing fruit, a healthy pup can grow to replace it, ensuring ongoing production. Some growers maintain a “mat” of three plants: a fruiting “grandma,” a mature “mom,” and a young “daughter” (pup) in development. This strategy allows for consistent fruit production.
Step-by-Step Pup Removal
Removing banana pups requires careful technique to avoid damaging the parent plant. The optimal time for removal is when pups are 1 to 3 feet tall and have developed their own root system. Pups smaller than 12 inches, sometimes called “buttons,” typically lack sufficient roots for independent survival.
Use a sharp, sterilized shovel or sturdy knife. Clear the soil around the pup’s base to expose its connection to the main rhizome. Position your tool between the pup and the mother plant, cutting cleanly through the rhizome. Aim to retain a good portion of the corm (bulbous base) and roots with the pup. Drive the shovel straight down or angle it slightly for a clean separation.
Post-Removal Care and Pup Utilization
After removing a banana pup, the mother plant requires minimal immediate care. The cut area typically heals on its own. Monitor the plant for any signs of stress and ensure it receives adequate water and nutrients.
Removed pups can be utilized in several ways. For propagation, replant the separated pup in a new location or container. When planting, ensure the pup is placed at the same depth it was growing previously, in well-drained soil amended with organic matter. Water the newly planted pup deeply and trim all but the top leaf to direct energy towards root development. Partial shade for the first few days aids establishment. Alternatively, if propagation is not desired, removed pups can be discarded or used as mulch around the existing banana mat, returning nutrients to the soil.