The Banana Tree Tropical Forum

Greetings all....newbie here. Just wanted to get started on how to tend to my banana tree as best I can. I am in Illinois, so it is in a pot indoors right now. I've had it for two years now, in its pot. The main stem is about 2-3 feet tall with several new babies coming up at the bottom which are getting large fast. So whats the plan ? Should I, or can I, cut out the new shoots and repot those and leave the main stem, or leave them alone? The pot is really getting full and overcrowded. How do I propegate those new shoots, when, and any recomendations on soil for the new pots ? Thanks so much......jb

Welcome, Well i am fairly new to it but have about 8 months under my belt w/ my bananas i am in s. fl with no cold but i have my first bananas suckers coming off of my ice cream banana. I asked the guy i bought them from about suckers and he told me to leave them be until the stalks are appx. 1" thick or more and then remove them from their mother. Mine were skinny for several months and then shed these leaves the other day and BAM i have 3 little banana trees now. Still don't have the specifics on seperating from the mom and hopefully someone else can fill us in from there.

Thanks....if you hear anything more please let me know. I'm not sure if the new shoots are connected to the mother stalk, or if they have their own little tubers, roots or whatever...new to bananas, and haven't dug around in the pot to find out because I'm waiting for spring. Then I can move it back outside and can attack it to find out whats going on down there. Want to repot it anyway but not in winter and not in the house. Figure I would let it ride out its winter stage. Doesn't seem to be too dormant though. Been indoors for a few months now but still putting out new leaves......jb

do you know what kind of banana it is? usually you should leave the pups on the mom till they are about 1-2 feet tall. then seperate them.

Hi all, and top o' the day to you mskitty!

Do you have a picture? That would help! Iam still a newby but,
Other wise I would reccomend not to separate them from mom till spring. Repot if you must, but they'll probably be fine till spring.
Hope this helps!............Cincygirl

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YES! YES! and more YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEESSSSS!!!!

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i thought that was you...how your nanas doing? brutus my saba has gotten his first leaf! yeah. one of the dwarf orinicos that i got from banamial is starting to get a leaf.wahoo! the other 2 d.orin. are shooting up a p- stem. and all the ornatas i got from chris are getting huge. one of my bronze ornatas is fixing to open its first leaf. oscar is like 4 ft. tall now and i cant wait for spring to plan one of everything in the yard. i missed you guys. my monstera is fixing to shoot out 2 new leaves and i have new leaves on everything else. so in the time i havent been posting ive been playing in the nana room..

Oooh Mskitty my bananas are growing to, I dont see where to put any pictures on the forum! Just so you could see them! Iam sooo excited!

My Orinocos are growing and my saba! I have an unknown that has RED in the petiole! YES!!!

I still want to try growing one the hydroponic way! Maybe this year!

Good seeing you! Cincygirl

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Welcome JB! I'm new to this too. Bananas and this forum too. How awesome that you are getting pups. I can't wait for that day! Good luck!

Cincy.. you are one brave nana lady if you go hydroponically with a banana plant! I'm not sure but maybe you'll be among the pioneers?! Are you still thinking about that setup?

Big banana hugs all around!
Deb

Good morning Everyone!
Cookiecows Iam wanting to try that set-up. I'll buy one (maybe) to see how it works! But ive been all over the web to see if i can make one without buying the one i saw! Afterall its only buckets, water, pump, and somekind of light weight stone(lava rocks?).

My son told me about a shop in kentucky(newport or covington) that is a complete hydroponic/aquaponic store. gonna have to check them out.

It just might work with the bananas! Iam a lil' apprehensive too; but curious!

Seeya later Alligator......................Lynn

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Lynn...
I'll see if Ric can help you out with info so maybe you can use what you have at home with minimal purchases from maybe Lowes or Home Depot?
Deb

Lynn..

You have what looks like a huge store locally that looks like tons of fun! ...
http://www.wormsway.com/stores/KY.asp

Deb

Thankyou Deb, The store looks very interesting! And close to me in different diections!LOL
I stored it in my favorites.
Thank Rick too; My husband has no idea how to do this! He's a sweetheart though, and likes my adventurous spirit!

Your friend........... Lynn

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hydroponics for nanas....now ive heard everything.

. just joking!!!! i think its cool. hey instead of taking tomatoe seeds up in the space shuttle, maybe they should try nana seeds to see if when brought back to earth if the germination would be a lot easier. something to think about. wonder what nasa would think???? any way how u guys doing today???