Use a narrow, flat-bladed digging bar see http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=62496

Cut down as close to the parent as possible, and in some cases you need to angle under the parent corm a bit. Experience will tell you how your variety needs to be handled. Cut down at least 12", and after the pup is severed, pry it away from the parent. If more prying is needed, stick the bar in at a flatter angle, under the pup and pry it up.

Two links:

1) http://www.bananas.org/showthread.php?t=1814

2) http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/banana/msg061249171220.html?3

I think the diagram you are referring to is on the second one.

Laurence

Thanks so much for the help! I have 2 pups now...one of which I think I will leave to replace the parent when its gone and one of which I'm going to try and transplant. We'll see how it goes!

HI. I live in Mexico, and have a Banana tree, no idea how old it is, but it produces consistently. It has to be taken down to enlarge the garage. I will try to 'seperate' it and replant somewhere else, but I am worried about WHERE to plant it, insofar as the root system. The spot where I would like to plant it, will be about 4 feet away from a retaining wall; is this enough? are the roots invasive? I think this spot may also be within 5 feet of the sewer line .. is this a problem?

The roots are not invasive od destructive.

I just noticed what looks to be a pup coming out of the ground next to my banana plant. When is a good time to separate it? Does it need to be of some size before I separate it, or can I do it whenever? It is only an inch or two long and the plant is maybe 18-24 inches tall.