What Should I do with Multiple Pseudostems
 

I bought this Banana a little over a week ago and it got planted today. It has 4 different pseudostems (the tallest is about three feet tall); I know ideally there should only be one at this size. I am wondering what should I do with all the pseudostems?



Thanks for the help

(I fixed the link so the photo is there)

Re: What Should I do with Multiple Pseudostems
 

I would separate and replant each pstem individually 6' apart.

Re: What Should I do with Multiple Pseudostems
 

Hey DuscksinOr,

I wasn't able to open the image link you posted, but I can still give you some info on this. All non-seeded bananas rely on new shoots to reproduce, since they are seedless. A single plant will eventually go on to produce an entire stand of plants, which are often called a "mat." So, it's very common to have multiple pseudostems growing in the same container. If you're hoping to get fruit, however, I would recommend not having more than two other pseudostems growing with the main one. The more pseudostems there are growing in the pot, the more crowded and dwarfed the main plant will become. If you've got 4 about the same size, the best thing to do would be to divide them and put the strongest one in a pot by itself. It will take about 2-3 weeks to get back up to speed, but without the crowding, they take off!

Having multiple pseudostems that are about the same height and size is most common I've seen in super dwarf varieties like Truly Tiny or Super Dwarf Cavendish. I hope this helps!

Re: What Should I do with Multiple Pseudostems
 

I updated the post so the photo will show. I forgot to specify that I am growing the Banana for fruit. How should I go about spliting the plant up and would I be able to make 4 plants out of it? This is my first banana plant I have ever grown (I now have 2 other varietes). :woohoonaner:

Re: What Should I do with Multiple Pseudostems
 

How to separate pups? Great question. You may hear a bunch of responses that will work. My way is a little different. I use a garden hose with a spray nozzle, a large wet dry shop vac, and a large kitchen knife.

Spray the soil away with the hose while sucking up the water and dirt. Keep going till you can see the connection of the pup to the main plant. Once you can see the connection you cut it. You will have a ton of roots exposed. Try to just cut the roots on the pup. If the pup is still stuck in the ground by the roots, cut the roots. It will grow plenty more. If you just horse it out of the ground you have a chance to pull the root out of the corm and invite rot to get started. Once you get done you can just dump the dirt and water back in the hole. Easy.
:woohoonaner:
I call it hydro-vac pup removal.