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Old 10-03-2010, 05:49 PM   #5 (permalink)
chasbear
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Location: Bukidnon Province, Philippines
Zone: Equatorial
Name: Charles
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Default Re: Anyone know what this is on my basjoos?

Spider mites we don't get here, and this is the home of many insects! In fact our bananas rarely get insect infestations and we don't have to do much in combating them. Fungus, however, is a weekly ritual of battle in our area; Sigatoka to be precise. I don't know if yours is also this type of fungus, but fungus is my 1st suspect in your case. You describe exactly the way that our plants become infected, i.e. the youngest, most delicate 3-4 leaves (wouldn't insects think these are the most tasty and tender?) are exposed to the air-borne spores of the fungus. Later as the leaves mature and harden off (insect comment: eww!) the fungus begins to grow and become visible as in your case, along the outer edges.

A sulfur-based spray (Dithane?) is the most common and inexpensive type we use, and only spraying it on those 3-4 youngest leaves, as the mature ones won't be cured. We do have a rigorous rotation of 4 types of fungicides, but for a home gardener not really that necessary.
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