Banana is a tropical plant that is widely cultivated in India and in tropic countries like Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, etc. It is rich in micro and macronutrients.
Banana Pups are branches, or offshoots, that develop from the bottom of a Banana plant. These are also known as suckers or babies.
If you want to change Banana Pup’s location either because of the environment or landscape, it is important to know the correct procedure for transplanting the pups.
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How to Transplant Banana Pups?
The most important thing to consider when you plan to transplant a Banana Pup is its health. Choose the pup that is at least 1 foot (30cm) tall and has its own roots to survive after getting separated from the mother plant. When you have the right Banana Pup, separate it from the mother plant and pull it out along with some roots. Now insert your pup in well-draining soil. Water it properly to keep the soil moist. Allow it to adapt to the new environment.
Examining the Mother plant
Begin your transplant process by first thoroughly examining the mother plant. Look for a pup on the mother plant that is at least 1 foot tall.
Dig deep so that you reach the point where the pup connects with the mother plant.
Next, using a sharp garden knife, separate the pup from the banana mother plant.
Do not take too many roots from the mother plant while cutting the pup to not threaten the survival of the Banana mother plant.
Soil and Nutrients
After you have correctly removed the pup, plant it into well-draining soil. The soil you use should be amended with manure or compost as a fertilizer.
The soil pH for your Banana Pup should be between 5.5 to 6.5. Use ¾ pound of NPK fertilizer and spread it all around the newly transplanted Banana Pup.
Water Requirements
The newly planted Banana Pup requires deep watering but do not flood it. Provide the plant with enough water so that it remains moist but stop further watering when you start to observe puddling.
Water the plant at the base so that it goes deep, and roots can easily take up the water for further growth.
You can also dig a ditch at the side of the plant so that roots can take up the rainwater that gets collected.
For the first week after transplant, it is recommended to provide the plant with additional water.
Once you start to observe new growth, reduce the amount of water but don’t halt it completely.
Planting the Pup
After you have the right pup you wish to transplant, eliminate all the wilted leaves from the pup before putting it in the soil mixture. Plant the pup at a similar depth as it was in its previous container.
For your Banana Pup’s healthy growth, use a deeper and broader container than the root system. This is helpful for the further development of the plant.
The hole you dig for putting in the pup should be deeper and bigger than the plant’s root ball.
Also, ensure that the container has drainage holes for the removal of excess water.
Location
Transferring your plant to the right location is extremely important for its healthy growth.
Position your newly transplanted Banana Pup at a place where it receives 12 hours of sun.
However, remember not to put it in direct sun. A spot having partial shade will be ideal.
Positioning
If you intend to transplant more than one Banana Pup, it is vital to leave some space between the pups. A space of 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) between each pup is perfect.
Similarly, if your area is in a warm climate and you expect it to develop flowers, you must place them further apart. The spacing of around 8 feet will work just fine in this situation.
Best Time to Transplant
The Banana Pups love moisture and warmth, so it is best not to transplant them in the winter or fall season.
It is essential to consider this because the plant wants an optimum environment for developing new growth.
The ideal time for transplanting this tropical plant is in early summer or late spring. These seasons will provide the plant with the right conditions to recover and grow.
The best time is as soon as the pup has developed a proper root system. For this, simply dig out the pup and observe the roots carefully.
If you notice that the pup has its own roots, it is ready to go. However, if you do not see any roots, put the pup back with the mother plant and give it some more time to develop roots.
Which Banana Pup to Choose for Transplant?
There are two varieties of Banana Pups, sword sucker, and water sucker. It is to be noted that only one of these thrives after transplant.
The sword sucker is the one with the most powerful root system in contrast to the water sucker pup. Therefore, it is the sword sucker pup that will do best after transplant.
As it has a tremendous root system, it will do well when separated from the mother plant. This huge root system means faster and healthier growth after transplant.
The water sucker pup does not have a strong root system, and hence it will grow very slowly.
There are cases in which the water sucker dies after the transplant because of the weak root system.
The water sucker pups depend entirely on their mother plant for growth.
On the other hand, the sword sucker is strong and has developed its own root system to survive without the mother plant.
Frequently Asked Questions about Transplanting Banana Pups
How to care for Banana Pup after the transplant?
After you transplant your Banana Pup to a new environment, it is going to wilt slightly. But don’t worry, as it happens with many plants after transplant. To help Banana Pup with this, you can trim off the wilted leaves to allow room for healthy leaves. You should also water it thoroughly so that the root system receives a good amount of water to support the plant for healthier growth.
How to remove a Banana Pup for transplant?
Water the plant you want to remove the pup from a day earlier. This makes digging easier and helps it recover fast. Carefully remove the pup that is 4 to 5 feet in length, ideally the sword sucker, as it has broader leaves and a healthy root system. Dust off the soil from the pup using a brush and transplant it into the hole you dug for the pup in a new container.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.