Proper transplanting techniques
 

What is the preferred way to transplant larger bananas? I would especially like to know about planting deeper. My plan was to mound up around the base to stabilize it. I felt that this would be preferred to staking and risking the stalk breaking in the wind. I guess this really isn't planting deeper insomuch as it is just mounding up around the base. Also I felt that I could pull this back later as the plant developed new roots. If roots developed in this area I would just leave it mounded.
Thanks

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

I take bricks or rocks and put around them until the roots get started.

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

I've never had a problem with banana's blowing over after planting them. I simply pack the soil, add water or fish E then ad mulch. Now if your banana is 6ft or greater I can see a need for greater bracing like Shannon describes. :^)

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

Yes the two that I was having trouble with are twelve foot and nine foot. They are slowly stabilizing but I still wonder about the ability to pull the soil up arond the base. Will that cause a problem?

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

My banana's are shallow in soil as far as corm goes. I prefer it that way with the clay around here.. :^)

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

No clay here just loose compost and sand. Does anyone know where the banana stops producing roots?

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

I have a blood Banana that is getting pups on , looking for way remove them without harming the mother plant. Any ideas or help.?
thanks
:0519:Charleen

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

Charleen,

There are several good posts on separating the pups but before you do, know this. I believe that the group is divided as to when this should occur and if it should occur. I guess part of the answer is what do you want or what are you trying to achieve? Again there is a division as to whether or not the pups supports or drains the mother plant. Personally I don't have experience but from my reading I feel the pup does not hurt and it benefits the mother and the pup to leave them attached for awhile at least till the pup is producing true leaves.

Just my opinion and probably not worth much.

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

This should help.
http://www.bananas.org/f2/time-separ...ring-1814.html

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

You can separate the pup once it has developed several leaves with no harm to the parent plant at all; just sever that section of the Corm it is attached to and then dig the entire section up and relocate; there shouldn't be more then 4-5 plants growing in a mat at any given time, this enables more nutrients to be uptaken by the individuals and optimum fruit production will result.

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

Hi everyone -followowingup on Nickmaccann's comment
You can separate the pup once it has developed several leaves with no harm to the parent plant at all; just sever that section of the Corm it is attached to and then dig the entire section up and relocate; there shouldn't be more then 4-5 plants growing in a mat at any given time, this enables more nutrients to be uptaken by the individuals and optimum fruit production will result.
This site BANANA Fruit Facts talks about pruning being important for fruit bearing
Pruning - Only one primary stem of each rhizome should be allowed to fruit. All excess shoots should be removed as soon as they are noticed. This helps channel all of of the plant's energy into fruit production. Once the main stalk is 6 - 8 months old, permit one sucker to develop as a replacement stalk for the following season. When the fruit is harvested, cut the fruiting stalk back to 30 inches above the ground. Remove the stub several weeks later. The stalk can be cut into small pieces and used as mulch.

What do the experts say about pruning?

It will be awhile before i have to worry about pruning for my new plants but my main goal is eating home grown nanas and i have one mat with several pstems -should it be thinned now or next spring?

Re: Proper transplanting techniques
 

All great posts on the subject. I would like to add the importance of temperature. Consistent warm temps seem to help too.