If you kind folks will check the following thread, it tells my little adventure with my red banana:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/664885/
This clump is primarily 3 huge stems. There was a single trunk last year that died off. So, I know that there is a rhizome, or corm, in this huge clump I dug up today. But unless iIcan divide it, I can't move it. It is seriously HEAVY!
So, in short; can I cut between the three trunks and not do a lot of harm? Or, should I try to push them apart?
Thanks for any advice!
Peter
Still another urgent banana diggin question!
Peter, I don't know what the experts will tell you but I just take the shovel and cut straight down to divide mine. I've never lost one yet. Maybe someone else will tell you different.
years ago, when Going Bananas of Homestead, FL was first in business, I went there to buy a few plants. The owner just took what looked like a huge machete and whacked the divisions off his parent plants. Nothing specal and no careful judging where to cut - just a fast, clean cut. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
Thank you both! This plant is my wife's delight. I don't want to loe it! It's shovel time (no machete!).
Peter
I agree with the dividing method but I use an sharpened old lawn edger and sledgehammer to divide my bananas.
OR EXPLOSIVES!!
I use my hubby's "saws-all" to get in the ground deep enough to divide a banana.
What's a saws-all? I assume it saws all! But how?
Sawzall is a trade name for a Milwaukee reciprocating power saw. The term "saws-all" has become used for any reciprocating power saw, just like Kleenex for facial tissue. There are many other brands. After my table saw, this is the most versatile tool in my shop. Great Christmas gift! Get some of the extra long blades.