View Full Version : Digging Pups
shopgirl2
10-23-2007, 11:14 AM
I have followed instructions in how to dig up banana pups. But, I have Failed! big time! I have severed the pups from the mom tree but no roots in them, nothing! The banana trees are very big around at root, is there another way to safely dig the pup up?
Thank you all.
By the way, I just simply LOVE THIS Site!
bencelest
10-23-2007, 11:37 AM
I wait around until they are over a foot high and I dig maybe a foot and a half around the pup. After removing the soil around you will see the roots.
I tried to leave as much soil as possible intact so as not to bother the roots too much.
Then I use a sharp sawsaw to sever the pup from its mom . I cut as close as possible to the corm as possible.
Some people use spade but I use both spade and sawsaw.
bencelest
10-23-2007, 12:05 PM
My Way of Separating a Pup
Here’s a Sweetheart that is ready for transplanting
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=4569&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4569)
I dig around the pup getting as much soil around. But trying not to damage any roots.
I use a sawsaw to cut the cord from the mother. I first use alcohol on the blade to rid of bacteria and such.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=4570&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4570)
Then I use a flat shovel to severe the pup from the corm. I dug as much dirt as possible taking care not to remove the sorrounding soil on the roots.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=4571&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4571)
Here’s the new pup ready for transplant. See how smooth the cut is.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=4572&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4572)
bencelest
10-23-2007, 12:16 PM
Here’s the new pup ready for transplant. See how smooth the cut is.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=4572&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4572)
Here’s the new plant. It did not even know she was detached from her mother. It is growing beautifully from day one.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=4577&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4577)
Sailfish
10-23-2007, 01:10 PM
there are other threads in the archives that cover options.
I did read one recently and it stated that it can actually take up to 3 months at times, maybe longer for the pup to take off.
must be patient
not keep the soil too wet, but not too dry.
and my limited experience tells you to just give up on the stubborn ones.
once you do that...........they will grow
-------------------------------------------------------
It amazes me sometimes. I'll have a plant I really care about and try to re-pot, re-plant etc, do all the right things..then nothing.
Other times (and this is without fail), i'll literally yank a plant out of the ground, or dig it up, throw it in the worse possible soil, never water, look at them a week later and they just flourish. Go figure.
Sorry if I derailed your thread
microfarmer
10-23-2007, 03:13 PM
I have followed instructions in how to dig up banana pups. But, I have Failed! big time! I have severed the pups from the mom tree but no roots in them, nothing! The banana trees are very big around at root, is there another way to safely dig the pup up?
Sometimes, you have to cut almost under the mother corm to get a piece of corm with roots. I made a bad cut on my Mysore and was heartbroken. I thought for sure I had gotten under the mom enough, but...no... just a clean cut through the P-stem. From now on, I'll be digging the soil to see the attachment point before I make my cut...
shopgirl2
10-24-2007, 11:30 AM
thank you very much for your instructions and graphics. I think I understand better and also how to be very careful when digging around. It can be a delicate thing. thank you again lots!!
MediaHound
10-24-2007, 12:44 PM
The deeper the mother corm was planted, the easier it is to make a bad cut.
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