Question
I live in western New York state, in a very old, drafty house. I've been through a few dwarf musas, but I think I have finally worked out how to keep them happy during our very cold, dark winters. I now have two and they are spending the summer outside in bright shade. They are both putting out suckers and I think I need to repot them. Would they be too crowded if I put them together in a large container? I'm giddy about how well they are doing, and I want to keep them happy. Also, when I repot them, should I cut the offspring away and pot them seperately or just let the plants take care of that themselves?

Answer
Hi Christine, you never questioned to whether they will ever give you Bananas, and I am sorry to say, they won't; but if it is just the Tropical ambiance you are after, then you are on the right track. I would keep one per container, for the Corm (root system) will need all the room it can be given (per plant).  Wait until the pups are a third the size of the parent before separating them, and be careful to snap them from the parent before digging the rest of the plant up. Take your shovel and insert it down parallel to the mothers trunk with a hard push, then with a sideways motion separate it from the mother, then go ahead and dig it up. Nick