Expert: Timon - 7/17/2004

Question
Hi Timon!

I bought a banana tree several months ago. Right now is about 1 meter high and is growing beautifully. It has several "babies" and I would like to know if I can transplant the babies to a different pot and how to do that without killing them.

Also, I would like to know if the plant will ever growing (mostly because I live in a flat and I know this type of plants can become hughe), or if the only remedy is to cut it off.

Another thing is that the leaves have some black spots. Could you recommend me any vitamins in order to get rid of the spots?

Million thanks for your advise!

Regards,

Silvia


Answer
Hi, Silvia

Banana plants naturally protect themselves from the sun by darkening their leaves. Sometimes brown spots show and sometimes black spots show. Brown is ok, but black means the spot is burnt. I suggest growing the banana plant in less intense sunlight to get rid of the black spots. You can place the banana plant near the west side of your house or near trees that provide some shade.

I have never transplanted babies, but I would do it when they get to be 1/2 a meter tall. A great site that you can check on how to transplant banana babies is www.gardenweb.net Just go to the forums and then to Bananas. People write articles and articles about the Banana Plant.

Hope this helps