I separated pups from a potted Musa zebrina last fall. I have pictures of that process on my home computer but I'm not there right now. I'll see if I can add the "in process" pics later. On the other hand I have a pic of the potted zebrinas before (August 2004) and then just 11 months later (July 2005) which I've thumbnailed below. Click on the thumbnails for larger photos:

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Anyways, this is how I did it successfully. I laid the potted zebrina on its side and removed the pot. I then used my hands and cleared as much of the dirt from around the corm (the solid swollen underground bulb-shaped stem) to expose it. I then took a butcher knife and cut the pups off (in one slice) from the main "mom" plant by cutting slightly into the main corm. What I mean by that is make sure that you cut enough into the main "mom" corm so the pups have some to live off of.

I then laid the newly separated plants on their sides with the freshly cut corms facing up and let them (the cut corm) dry overnight. That way it reduces the risk of that newly cut area doesn't rot. The next morning I replaned each into their own pot and they continued to thrive. Since then I planted the main plant into the ground in our front yard.

-Todd

Nice- Both of mine are sprouting pups- And I've been wondering what to do.. I may leave them on the little dwarf- Might look cool to have a forest of those tiny little guys, but the ones on my big plant (can't think of the name right now) I'd like to cut off, repot & possibly sell. It's got 3 right now- the oldest has 2 'real' leaves so from what I've read I can take it off.

Has anyone tried any rooting hormone to give the pups a jump?

Ok... Here are my pictures I was talking about of how I separated those zebrinas in my previous comments above.

The pics are thumbnails so click on them if you want a bigger picture:

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-Todd

Hello All,

I always sprinkle the pups' corms with rooting hormone before planting them. Can't hurt. I've had pups survive that I thought for sure would die (for lack of roots)and I credit the rooting hormone. Also, here in my zone 7/8, I do not remove any pups from my nanners in the ground after the last week in August as it does stress the mother plant when you remove the pups and she needs to be getting strong to winter over. My thoughts. GD

Thank you all SO much. I have two banana trees in pots and both have several pups. I should be able to get about another four plants after all is said and done......if I do it right.

THANKS AGAIN

I would wait until next spring when the growing season starts. Its kind of late (IMHO) to seperate. I'd say the pups will have have a better chance of survival in the spring. I could be wrong though. Just my .02

Maury

Someone posted a great diagram a while back about the cutting angle. I've seperated out 4 pups from my humble little cavendish so far. I let them get about a foot tall, then I insert the knife at an angle making sure to get at least a good piece of the mother corm, then I leave it alone for a week or two (per another great GW'ers suggestion!!) and then I gently pry it up and repot it. All are doing great, and I didn't really have to disrupt the mom by taking her out of the pot, etc. I think this method would work great with taking a pup out of a mat, too.