HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

I'm new to bananas and went to separate some pups from my Dwarf Cavendish and unfortunately, this one separately in a weird way. It has no roots - is there anyway it might survive or is it fodder for the compost pile?

I'd like to keep it if possible since I lost about 6 corms I tried to overwinter - only those I left in pots that I brought into the house survived.

Re: HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

I made a division last summer from my Thai black that was just like that one. I repotted it last week and it was full of roots.

Re: HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

Yep... Plant it, water it, and let it grow...

Worst that happens is that it doesn't come back, but I definitely think it could be saved...

Re: HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

Thanks - it's now in a pot and watered... we'll see if it roots.

Re: HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

I would definitely try it. Had a similar pup last year, but it died because the dog ran into it, not because the way I had separated it.
What has helped my pup was some "Superthrive" .

Re: HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

I don't know if it can be saved, you didn't post a good photo.

I would trim the leaves off and plant it a little deep, if it roots it will be above the cut, use very little water and no direct sun.

I've done this thousands of times and coarse sand/crushed stone will work better than potting soil.

If your plant does eventually root, normally in about 10 days, the center shaft of the pseudostem will typically bind/choke and a new pseudostem will emerge, this is completely normal and the bulge will be easy to notice.

Good Luck & Hope these photos will help.

SRH
apr 21


apr 21


may 7


may 10


Maricongo
jan 16


jan 27

Re: HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

I would say the bottom of this pup is still attached to the mother. I cut a pup off out of a pot and had almost the same thing happen, but I luckily got more corm, and at least one root. I cut it w/ prop-tool and then loosen soil w/ garden spade normally. :^)

Re: HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

Jeanne,

If all you have is pseudostem (rolled up leave bases) then, no luck! But if there is the meristem and a bit of corm attached in there... then you have a chance.

In cases like these, I use a clean, rather porous loam with a little (maximum 15% vol-vol) sterilised organic mulch.

You don't have much leaf area so the plant won't easily go into stress. Plant it somewhat deeply - this reduces water loss; keep soil lightly moist but not wet nor damp; some people use Captan as a prophylactic fungicide (I don't, though - I'm not into pesticides etc..); give no more than 2 hours direct sunlight daily - diffuse light for the rest of the day; and watch it like a hawk...

Actually, I'm doing this to a Gros Michel pup that I (in my over-enthusiasm) badly excised and - so far - it looks good. Fingers crossed!


shannon

Re: HELP - can this pup be saved?
 

pot it up or plant it, bananas are much hardier than you think!