Should I Remove Banana Pups? | The Ultimate Guide!

Should I remove banana pups? If you want your banana tree to produce delicious, safe bananas, you may want to consider removing banana pups. 

Banana plants produce pups at different rates. Some plants may produce pups at 9 months, whereas others may take longer, depending on the conditions of where the plant is growing.

To know when banana trees produce pups and why we should consider removing pups and their pros and cons, keep reading as we have covered it all and more.

1. What Are Banana Pups?

Banana pups are tiny budding plants that grow from the bottom of a mature banana plant. Although the pups may seem unimportant, they are, in fact, clones of the matured banana plant that will produce bananas identical in flavor and size.

Remember that not all banana pups are created in the same way, as different varieties of bananas produce pups of various sorts. Some plants produce small clusters of large pups, whereas others produce large clusters of small pups.

2. When Do Banana Trees Produce Pups?

A number of factors, such as soil conditions and climate, determine when banana trees start to produce pups. But generally, when banana trees are between 9 and 14 months, they produce pups. At this growth stage, plants are usually  6 to 8 feet tall with one or two bunches of fruit.

All banana trees do not produce pups at the same time. Some trees may produce as soon as 9 months, whereas others may take up to 18 months.

When your banana tree starts producing pups, keep a close eye on it so that you know when they have to be removed from the mother plant. Some trees produce many pups in a single season, which may overcrowd the parent tree and decrease fruit production if the pups are too close to it.

3. Why Should We Consider Removing Banana Pups?

Here are 3 reasons why we should consider removing banana pups:

1. Health Of Banana Tree 

Although pups may look harmless, they affect the overall health and growth of the banana tree along with the productivity of bananas. If the banana pups are not separated in time, they may compete with the mother plant for resources and nutrients, which may lead to the production of fewer bananas.

2. Pest Infection

If banana pups are attached to the parent plant for too long, then there is a chance that harmful organisms will spread through the whole crop. As a result, it will increase the risk of pest infections and diseases. 

3. Maximize Crop Yield

Removing banana pups is essential to carry out the proper cultivation process to maximize crop yield while ensuring good quality and health. Each pup’s growth must be examined closely so that they can be removed timely. Doing so will ensure that the bananas taste delicious and are free of pests.

4. When Is The Best Time To Separate Banana Pups?

The best time to separate banana pups is when you see that the pup is about one-third the size of the mother plant. Use a spade to dig around the base of the pup, making sure none of the roots are damaged. Once the banana pup is removed, replant it elsewhere to grow another banana tree.

5. Pros And Cons Of Removing Banana Pups

Below, we have mentioned the pros and cons that you should consider carefully before deciding to remove banana pups:

Pros

1. Improve Quality Of Bananas

Removing banana pups means the plant’s energy will focus on a single stalk. This will be beneficial for growers as they can produce larger bunches of bananas, which will be of good quality. As a result, it will lead to an increase in profits for commercial banana growers. 

Cons

1. Time Consuming

Hard work and plenty of time are needed when it comes to removing banana pups. In order to avoid damaging the mother plant or soil, the pups must be separated attentively using the correct technique. If, by chance, you remove too many pups at once, the banana plant may catch diseases or pests easily.

It’s always best to hire a professional gardener when removing banana pups to avoid any damage to the plants.

2. Preventing The Growth Of Multiple Shoots

Removing banana pups will stop the growth of multiple shoots from the mother plant. This will prevent farmers from creating a generic diversity within the crops, decreasing the chances of sustainability in agriculture.

6. How Should You Remove Banana Pups?

Check out our step-by-step guide on how to remove banana pups.

Step 1: Identify the smaller pups growing around the mother plant’s base.

Step 2: Carefully dig around the banana pup to make sure that you do not damage the root system of the mother plant.

Step 3: Use a pruner or knife to chop the pup from the parent plant. But leave a small portion of the pup’s root attached to the plant to ensure growth.

Step 4: Plant the banana pup in another place immediately if you plan to keep it. Make sure you plant it at least 6 feet away from the mother plant.

Step 5: After the plantation process, water the pup and keep doing so regularly until it grows its roots.

7. Factors That Determine When To Remove Banana Pups

1. Spacing

To produce fruit properly, banana plants need sufficient space to grow. Keeping banana plants too close together makes the banana pups grow quickly, which you would have to remove soon.

2. Climate and Growth Habit

The climate in which you grow bananas is essential in determining when to remove the pups. If you live in a warm and humid environment, the banana pups will grow faster and will need to be removed sooner. On the other hand, if you live in a cooler climate, the pups may take longer to mature, and you can wait a little longer before removing them.

3. Soil Quality

The quality of your soil can also affect the growth rate of your banana plants. If you have nutrient-rich soil, the plants will grow more quickly, and the banana pups will also grow faster.

8. What Are The Risks Of Removing Banana Pups?

Here, we have discussed 2 risks that are associated with removing banana pups:

1. Causing Damage To The Mother Plant

Removing banana pups can harm or damage the mother plant. New or inexperienced gardeners may attempt to remove pups that grow on the base of the banana plant, weakening or damaging the mother plant. This will increase the plant’s chances of being infected with pests and diseases.

2. Pups May Not Survive

Banana pups may not survive if damaged while removed from the mother plant. Since it takes time for banana pups to establish themselves in new soil and develop their root system, chances of survival are low if they are not taken care of properly.

9. How Do You Remove Banana Pups Without Any Risks?

These are the 5 things you can do to reduce the risk of damaging banana pups during the removal process:

1.Wait Until The Pup is Matured

It is essential to wait for the right time for the banana pup to mature so that it can survive on its own before you decide to remove it from the mother plant. It is recommended to wait for the pup to reach one-third the height of the parent plant before separating it.

2. Use the Correct Tools For Removal

Use a pair of shears or a knife that is clean and sharp when you remove the banana pup. Doing so will reduce the risks of damaging the mother plant when separating the pups.

3. Try To KeepThe Mother Plant Safe

Put your hands around the base of the banana pup you want to remove while wiggling it front and back gently until it separates itself from the mother plant. Do not put extra pressure on the pup and pull too hard; otherwise, it will harm the mother plant.

4. Plant the Pup Properly 

When the banana pup is removed, plant it inside a hole that is as deep as its root system, and be sure to water it properly to prevent weeds from growing

5. Take Proper Care Of The Pup

The banana pup will need to be kept in a warm environment so that a robust root system is established. Watering the pup on a regular basis is a must, and you can always use banana-specific fertilizer to fertilize the newly planted pup.

10. How Do You Plant The Banana Pups Properly?

Follow the instructions given below to plant the banana pups properly:

1. Plant the banana pup in well-drained soil fixed with rotted manure or compost. Place the pup at the same depth it was growing in when it was attached to the mother plant; do not plant too deeply.

2. When planting more than one pup, allow a distance of 2 to 3 feet between each of them to promote proper growth.

3. If you plant the banana pups in a warm client where they will grow into trees and produce fruit, allow a minimum distance of 8 feet.

4. The pups can also be planted in a pot that has drainage holes. To do so fill the pot with a fresh, well-drained potting mix and then plant the banana pup.

5. Water the pup properly and mulch around it. Make sure the layer of mulch does not directly touch the pup. This process will help to keep the soil moist at a moderate temperature.

The banana pup’s growth will be slow initially, and the leaves may wilt, which is nothing to worry about. You can try trimming all the leaves, except the top leaf, so that your pup gets direct energy to develop properly. The top leaf will work as a shade to protect the newly transplanted pup.

Conclusion: Should I Remove Banana Pups?

We have tried our level best to answer your question, ‘should i remove banana pups?’ Now, it’s for you to decide how to take care of your banana plant. However, I would suggest removing the pups with the help of professionals who will use the correct method and tools to ensure no damage is caused to the mother plant while separating the pups.