Could you tell if there were many roots attached to the pups? It sounds like it's not getting enough water to the leaves, so I would suggest keeping it well watered, and maybe shade it some if it's in bright sun.

More importantly, I suggest asking this question at the bananas forum, since there is not much banana discussion here.

Good luck!

Alex

Most often, they look dreadful after transplanting.

It's a common practice to "chop off their heads" when you move them. You end up with something that looks somewhat like a knobby cabbage. I know because that's what I acquired when I bought a "pup" years ago.

Success likely has something to do with the size of the pup when it's moved, possibly more. So do check with the Banana Forum.

Jean,
who formerly gardened in Long Beach, CA, for 30-some years.

Thanks for the replies!

I'll cross post in the banana forum. Sorry, I didn't even see one.

Jean is right. If a banana has few roots, cut off most of the leaves. Maybe all of the older ones and half the length of the newest one. You can leave all the cylindrical stalk though. Bananas are tough as nails. In warm weather they are harder to kill outright than to keep alive. Seemingly hopeless parts tossed onto the compost pile not uncommonly "come alive" in rainy weather.

There is a 1920s book on subtropical homestead gardening with instructions along the following lines (paraphrased from old memory):

"Get your banana "pups" from a neighbor or nursery. Toss them under some bushes out of the sun. Dig a big deep trench where you want the bananas to go. Over the next few months throw every bit of yard debris, kitchen trash, old newspapers, bedsprings, etc. into the hole. When the hole is finally filled to the top, seek out the pups in the leaves under the bushes and plant them in their new prepared bed."

Hi! did your plants survive? I am having the exact same problem. I chopped up a large banana tree I had and replanted the stalk in fresh soil and pots, but the leaves just look awful. Any guidance would be appreciated. I cannot find your comment on the "banana plant forum"