I have a dwarf cavendish banana that is growing like crazy and has sent up three babies. The largest baby is now approaching a foot tall and I want to separate it to grow in a pot once it gets about 16-18" tall which at the rate it's growing should be in a couple weeks. Anyone know the best way to separate a baby? I plan on leaving the other two babies to replace the mother plant after it fruits.

I've only got two ideas:
1. Just drive a shovel down between the two and scoop the baby out.
2. Dig out around the baby and where it attaches to the mother plant and try to be more surgical (with a sharp knife) cutting them apart.

 

Opt for your #2. They easily propagate. This link Banana Plant Growing Info provides you more detailed info.

Keep the soil moist, but not wet, as the replant may be slightly stressed for a few days.

 

Thanks for the link. I've seen them doing it in the banana plantations and it seems awfully brutal. For them loosing a few is not a problem but I'd like to get a 100% survival rate.

 

I bit the bullet today and separated a baby plant from the mother. In a few days I suppose I'll know if I did any damage or not.

 

Nice job Dane . Plant looks healthy . . . no signs of wilting although don’t know what time elapsed between planting and photo. My bet is that you’re good to go . . . you’ll probably have a banana plantation someday !

 

The photos were taken about 36 hours after the operation. Both mom and the patient still seem to be doing well. We've had a gray couple of days with almost constant rain and they are really taking off.