Steppenwolfe

Ok, Im pretty sure there is a forum like this floating around but I couldn't find a search box so I decided to make a quick post.

So I just received a dwarf banana plant last week & it went through some travel stress; looks like its bouncing back now though. I see a new leaf sprouting through the center so thats always good news right? lol

But the reason I'm here is because I also see what I've come to learn are called pups. There is about maybe 2-3 on the bottom. I've seen videos of ppl removing them online and placing their pups into new pots over planting areas once the pup is a foot long. My question is, what is the purpose for removing the pups? I saw one article where a man said the only way the mother can fruit is without the pups. I don't know how true that is, nor do I care to produce fruit that much since I'm indoors anyway…But it would be nice to know.
However I do want to know the main reasons behind this removal? Is it just for aesthetics? Being that I'm indoors I can't see it being room for pups to be included in the same pot due to lack of space…Since thats the case should I just remove pups now since I don't plan to keep them?

Thanks in advance to everyone who read this and the few that who will respond lol

Waiiiit one more question. When fertilizing my plant should I just throw the fertilizer on top of the mulch and water or remove mulch, fertilize and then add mulch again? lol

chris_zx2

Check out this post: Time to separate the pups for the Spring
But basically removing pups will give the mother more energy to grow. Most people say to leave 1 or 2 and you don't want to remove pups till there 1-2' tallbif you plan on saving them.

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--Chris
So far:
Dwarf Cavendish -- Basjoo -- Bunch of Truly Tiny

Kat2

It make it easier for others to help you if you edit your profile to say the city (or general area) where you're growing your banana along with the zone.

Is your banana in a pot? It sounds like it isn't so did you enrich your soil before planting? Musas enjoy being fed. If you're topdressing with coffee grounds, manure or compost, you should pull back the mulch to keep your bed looking neat. If you're using a liquid or even granules, it's up to you but I'd make a few holes large enough so the goodies get down to the roots ASAP rather than sitting in the mulch. Mine aren't mulched so I don't have the issue.

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Snarkie

Hi there-

Welcome to the Banana Express!

Removing the pups allows you to get more plants and increase the size of your grove. Since you're indoors, that's not much of an issue to you. It will allow you to give them away to friends and neighbors as well.

I use MiracleGro on mine and it seems to be working well.

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Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1


The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

JP

Hey.

Try adding your location in your profile. Post pics too! It will help us help you!

Snarkie

Good point JP.

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Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1


The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

cincinnana

Welcome to the Jungle......

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