The growth rate of Dwarf Puerto Rican Plantain will vary greatly depending on soil type, sunlight, temperature and other factors. A few leaves are often trimmed prior to shipping to reduce transpiration and travel stress.
At any time you can get a fresh start. Bananas are clump forming plants often producing 3-5 off-sets per year. If your stand has suffered wind damage or you simply want to clean it up, this can easily be done with a large sharp kitchen knife and without the need for garden tools. If your stand is getting too large or you simply want to get a fresh start, simply cut all stalks off at ground level, the plant will then regenerate with new offsets.
When you receive your new banana plant, there is no need to worry about planting right away. Your new plant can be stored for a while by simply placing it in a bucket with about a half inch of water in the bottom and moving it to a shady location, simply keep moist. This will give you plenty of time to select the ideal location for your new banana plant.