QuestionQUESTION: our plants seem to be doing ok, but we are wondering if we should move them to the sunnier side of our garden. we thought we had lost them in the winter but they started growing again, and when is it best to move them if we should? Also just some general tips on how to look after them (we are novices at this gardening lark)
ANSWER: Hi Faye, I am assuming they are in the ground, so here goes, the Banana (all varieties) grow from an underground root system called a "corm", this is like a big potato and all the above ground growth stems from it, just like a potato that sends out growth from the eyes; Above ground kill back from cold is common, but the corm often survives to send out new growth in the spring. Dig down deep and lift the entire corm (if possible), if they plants are too established then just sever the pups off, but make sure you cut down along the mother plant and sever it with roots attached from the underground corm; if the mother is too large, it isn't feasable to try to move the entire group or "mat" as it is correctly called. Let me know your exact situation and I will advise you more; let me know how big the plants are, how many pups, this way I can tell you the best way to do what you want to do. Nick:)
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QUESTION: thank you here goes, both of our banana plants are about 2feet high, i dont know what pups are, but the red banana has four smaller stems then the main stem which has new leaves on it. the chinese banana has six small collection of leaves near the bottom of the main stem then new leaves coming up from the middle. I think they are about 1,1/2 - 2 years old. Do you advise them being moved into a warmer spot we noticed today that the right hand side where they are planted gets very little "warm" sun during the day. sorry to bombard you with all these questions we are in the uk so warmth can be a little tricky so we want to optimise this. Do they need a lot of water? and can they be "fed" with anything and should we do this alot when we move them
Answer..they are small enough to lift the entire plant, so dig out the whole root corm with soil attached and move them to warnest part of your garden; water them well after you move them, then wait until they are somewhat dry before watering again, or you can rot the corm. When the plant shows new growth, then begin watering them more frequently, for they like a lot of water, but only after they are established in their new location. Fertilize with a high potassium granular once a month and hit them several times between with a soluble like Peters or Miracle Grow. Nick
