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sandy0225 · 05-01-2008, 06:39 AM

I usually try to repot them in fresh potting soil with plenty of perlite in it, (even styrofoam peanuts if they're the kind that doesn't biodegrade will increase air spaces)when they start that. It seems to me that usually when it happens in my greenhouse, they've been overwatered when they are too cool/dark weather to be growing actively-- and in soil that is really pressed down with little air space. I don't like your soil mix, it holds too much water for winter/cool weather potting.
Also in case it's fungal/bacterial--Why don't you dip them briefly in a bleach/water solution as you repot them? I'd use physan 20 here, but most people don't have it. So you could use like 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, dunk them in, then take them out and lay them in the kitchen sink, etc. Leave them there wet with the bleach water for five minutes for it to work, then rinse them off real good in clear water to get all the bleach off, and repot them in the new soil. And either disinfect those pots by soaking them in the bleach water for 10 minutes, or toss them and use new ones when you repot. Don't even reuse the tags unless you soak them first, and maybe even spritz a little bit of it where the plants were sitting or put them somewhere else temporarily until you clean up that area. Sanitation can be very helpful with fungus/bacterial infections.
Good luck!

05-01-2008, 06:39 AM	#25 (permalink)
sandy0225 Northern Tropics sandy0225's Photo Gallery Location: Muncie, Indiana zone 5 Find me on the map! Zone: zone 5 Name: Sandy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,718 BananaBucks : 439,616 Feedback: 31 / 97% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 1,801 Times in 682 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 9 Times	Re: The Slow Black Death I usually try to repot them in fresh potting soil with plenty of perlite in it, (even styrofoam peanuts if they're the kind that doesn't biodegrade will increase air spaces)when they start that. It seems to me that usually when it happens in my greenhouse, they've been overwatered when they are too cool/dark weather to be growing actively-- and in soil that is really pressed down with little air space. I don't like your soil mix, it holds too much water for winter/cool weather potting. Also in case it's fungal/bacterial--Why don't you dip them briefly in a bleach/water solution as you repot them? I'd use physan 20 here, but most people don't have it. So you could use like 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, dunk them in, then take them out and lay them in the kitchen sink, etc. Leave them there wet with the bleach water for five minutes for it to work, then rinse them off real good in clear water to get all the bleach off, and repot them in the new soil. And either disinfect those pots by soaking them in the bleach water for 10 minutes, or toss them and use new ones when you repot. Don't even reuse the tags unless you soak them first, and maybe even spritz a little bit of it where the plants were sitting or put them somewhere else temporarily until you clean up that area. Sanitation can be very helpful with fungus/bacterial infections. Good luck! __________________ Sandy Burrell Northern Tropics Greenhouse 1501 East Fuson Road Muncie, IN 47302 www.northerntropics.com specializing in bananas, heirloom tomatoes and water gardening plants~ check out our new online store at our website!