The plants are off shoots from a plant I purchased at a local Co-op about 3 years ago.
Since I live in northern Minnesota (Zone 3) I bring the plants in the house during winter. they tend to become infested with spider mites but I have gotten them to survive in spite of this.
I don't want to use an insecticide because of the hope that they may one day produce fruit and I don't want to taint the fruit if it does produce.
Am I being too optimistic?

They have not produced fruit in the years I have had them and I am wondering if I may ever see that happen.
Each plant currently has about 5 suckers growing off of the main plant.
Someone has told me in the past that once the suckers start growing or are removed that the main plant will die off.
Is this true or normal?

My questions are, I am curious if I can cut the suckers off of the main plant without removing it from the pot it is in and if their removal will damage the main plant.
Also, is there an insecticide that I can use to keep the mites at bay during the winter months that won't affect the fruit (if it eventually does produce)?

Please help in any way possible.

Thank you.

Though I am not planning a trip to India anytime soon, Where would be a good place to find the Neem you mentioned in your follow up to my question?
Is it readily available at most Garden Centers or Nurseries?

Thank you again for your follow up.

Your original plant should not die back until it has fruited. If it is injured (snapped off) it may regrow or put it's energy into it's pups. Even if it is fine the pups may become numerous and fight for space/food. They can be cut off to the ground to concentrate energy. But that mother is not going to die until it has done what it needs to do. I believe banana producers keep a mother and one daughter so it is half grown when the mother is done fruiting. As it declines the daughter grows up and puts on her own pups. All but one of which are cut off to repeat the cycle.