I live where the winters are very cold and picked up a six-inch banana tree in a grocery store a few weeks ago. It has been growing beautifully. I'm thrilled with it.

I have these questions, which I wonder if some kind person would not mind answering:

1. What are the little shoots that are starting to grow in the soil next to the main plant? Should I cut them off? Replant them? If I leave them, will they drain energy from the main plant?

2. Should I be storing the plant somewhere for the winter? If so, where and how? What would happen if I just left it where it is by the window?

Thnaks so much.

Aloha,
The little plants are called pups, they're babies of your plant. You do not need to remove the pups. They'll help the mother plant grow faster, especially if the plant is small. Banana are one of those that are communal plants, ie...one for all and all for one. So leave them, the more the merrier. If there comes a time when you want another plant, that is where you would get it from, but for now wait until your plant is full grown. When that is depends on the type and species.

As for the location the window is fine. But you can put the plant out, even in Winnipeg, if the temperature is above 50 derees Fareheit, I don't know the conversion to Celsius.

I live in UP MI, USA and I don't store my plants. I care for them throughout the year. It's not to say that it is not possible to store your plant. It's just that the plant will have to start all over again in the Spring and it can be a little complicated getting the right temperature and humidity to store the corm. Unlike it's relative the Canna, Banana tend to rot in storage if the right requirements are not met. You will have more luck at storage if your plant is a temperate tolerant species such as the Japanese Fiber Banana (Musa Basjoo). They can live in the ground in zone 6 (-20 during Winter). But even they need lots of mulch for protection in that zone.

I bring out my plants when frost is over and bring them in before frost, usually October. I don't know how far north you live but if you use this general rule, you'll get by. I've been able to get by at 45 degrees outside at night but that's pushing it.

If you decide to grow your plant indoors, give your plant as much light as possible during the Winter. A bright window will be fine. Keep the plant at temperatures above 45 degrees Farenheit, the warmer the better. 70 degrees is near perfect. If you can afford warmer, all the more better. Growth will slow because of the reduced light (unless you invest in Gro-Lights). That's normal for us up here this far north. I put my plants' pot in a bucket or water dish with about an inch of water for humidity. Humidity is important indoors during Winter when the air is dry. The leaves will get a brown dried edge when the humidity is too low. I spray mist daily during the coldest time of Winter which is usually the driest.

I feed my plants throughout the year with Miracle-Gro liquid feeder. I follow the directions and it's safe. But I do cut the amount during Winter to application every other time instead of every watering. This is so NOT to encourage excessive growth which in Winter can be spindly and weak.

Introduce your plant outside gradually as so not to sunburn the leaves. I put my plants as close to a bright window during Spring to help acclimate them to the increased sunlight. Then when the temps are right I put them in the shade of a filled out tree. It's a touchy feely thing when the plants do go outside and I almost always burn the leaves that grew out during the Winter. I cut them off once new leaves are growing.

I hope this information helps. It's from trial and error. I'm originally from Hawai'i where I grew up with growing banana trees. They remind me of home and gives the yard a tropical look. Good luck! Write if you have additional questions.
Aloha KAHOA

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Thank you so much, Kahoa. The tips you gave me are most helpful. I now feel so much more confident with my new plant. It hadn't even occured to me that I could put it outside so now I'll try. Since the temperature sometimes drops to as much as - 40 C/F I'll definitely bring my plant in for the winter. Merci beaucoup.