The Propagation of Bananas

Seeds

• Seeds of edible banana varieties are usually absent or sterile. The flowers fail to pollinate and the banana fruit develop without seeds. The brown or black specks visible in the fruit are the remains of unfertilized ovules.

Corms or Rhizomes

• Bananas grow from underground stems called rhizomes or corms. Each rhizome contains many different meristems, or growing points. Some banana producers propagate banana plants by dividing the rhizome into smaller pieces, each containing one or more meristems. Small pieces, called "bits," are usually used, each weighing between 2 and 4 lbs., but larger pieces can also be used. Bits grow slowly, taking up to 2 years to production.

Suckers or Pups

• Banana plants produce many suckers or pups from one root or mat. These suckers, removed while the sucker is small, develop into new plants. Sword suckers, identified by their narrow sword-like leaves, are the preferred suckers for propagation. Water suckers, with broad leaves, do not grow into strong, productive plants. Reproduction from suckers produces a new plant the same year.

Tissue Culture

• Tissue culture techniques of banana propagation are extremely productive. Commercial reproduction favors tissue culture because the plants grow quickly and do not pass on diseases, a common problem with vegetative propagation. Tissue culture techniques are relatively new and are not yet used for all varieties.