I haven't any experience with the banana, however, I'm overwintering one inside because I didn't realize that I could have left it in the ground. I potted it and now have it in my garden room that gets most of its light from overhead and a bit from the northern exposure. Long story short...for a while it sat there with one leaf and one leaf that hadn't unfurled. The tag said that it liked water...so...I started to water it weekly....the leaf unfurled and now another one has started to pop out. I'm so happy because I love this plant. Try keeping it at least moist. (LONG STORY!!) Margaret

brian, your plant and your suckers are just way to small to try to get anything with enough root and corm to make it. in 2 months your main plant should be 6-7 foot tall and that sucker should be 2 foot tall. at that time you can remove it including part of the corm and replant it. leave the new pup in mostly shade because it will be stressed by the cut. when it starts showing growth, move it back into the sun. by all means put it in the ground, it will be fine over the winter with mulch and plastic to keep it from rotting. mine was 8 foot the 1st year, 10 foot the 2nd year, and 12 foot the 3rd. it will become a large clump. my musa zebrina i have thinned in the fall every year, ( it becomes clumpy too ) with just a shovel by just cutting them in thirds, like you would elephant ears. just remember to fertilize weekly and water frequently in this heat, they will grow very fast if you do this. if you have had this one several months and it is only 2 foot tall, you need to fertilize more. of course if you had it indoors most of that time it is understandable. good luck, sue

What I see happening to our Basjoos during very hot days, is not so much browning, but (using term loosely) "wilting"...ish. They also turn a darker green. So when I get home after work, I soak their pots (yes, too chicken to plant in ground) and mist their leaves. In a short time, they perk right back up again and the normal green returns. Needless to say, the older leaves to get browned edges. But the new leaves are bright green as normal. So in your case, I wonder if the problem is that they are not getting enough water? I know that our Basjoos really drink a whole lot of water. I'm literally deep-watering every day! If I forget, they sulk a bit! hehehehe ;)p

Brian is right on. Buy them now, stick them in pots full of a rich organic mix and let them grow inside. If they get pleny of sunlight and a decent amount of water, by the time spring comes around the corm will be nicely developed and it will have enough leaves for vigorous growth when you transplant it into the ground. Very occasionally Home Depots in GA will carry them. Your best bet around here is to find a nursery that can order one for you, or search online and get one shipped to you. Good luck.