Question
I live in PA and I have a dwarf banana in a pot outside.  The plant is doing great but has a sucker growing out the side of the base.  What should I do with the sucker?

Answer
Hi Todd,

The sucker is called a side shoot. These side shoots can be used to propagate new plants or left in the original pot.

To separate the two, unpot the plant, probe down into the soil a bit and use a sharp knife to separate the side shoot from the mother plant. Slice away some of the mother plant's root so it remains attached to the side shoot.

Put the mother plant back into its original pot. Move the side shoot with attached root into a small pot filled with a porous, peat-based potting mix.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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