banana plant pruning

[maxthedog123]

I've read a lot about pruning banana plants and I'm trying to sort out conflicting advice. Here are my questions:

My banana plant shot a long shoot out to the surface that made a "lilly pad" of sorts. My understanding is I can cut that off and use it to propagate a new plant. Is that correct?

If I leave the shoot, will it make other leaves or just the one leaf? I thought I read someplace that the plant at the substrate would die if I don't trim the leaf. Is that true?

Looking for suggestions on the best way to proceed.

 

[jackiomy]

My banana plant went crazy and I had pads and new plants covering the whole surface of my 60G. Wait til it starts growing roots and small pads from the original pad before cutting it off. My tank broke and I lost almost all my plants except for a few babies and the mother plant and it is already putting up shoots to the surface in my new tank after being in a bucket for 3 weeks!

 

[maxthedog123]

That is awesome. So the pad on top will start sending out new plants? Very cool.

What about the plant on the bottom? Will that keep growing as well?

Is it preferred to cut the shoot or leave it?

 

[maxthedog123]

A nice sized reddish green leaf had developed on the surface. I can't wait for this to start spreading - it will be awesome along with the vals.