View Full Version : Yellowing and browning
bilgeyboy
08-06-2010, 08:39 PM
I have one or two banana plants that the leaves are turning yellow and brown. I have two images, but I can't figure out to get the images from my gallery to this post.
One is a Kru and one is Gran Nain. I don't think it is disease or bugs, but why would these suffer from lack of water or fertilizer, and none of my other many plants not show the same symptoms? I have been fertilizing with chicken manure for the most part, and also with 8-6-8, which is about the best fert I can get in my area.
I water once a day for 45 minutes - 7:30 to 8:15 am, on an automated system. Here in the Bahamas of course we have sun almost all year long, and it is hot as two hells and the humidity is about 75% at this time of year.
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
Abnshrek
08-06-2010, 08:49 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35329&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35329&ppuser=8018)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35328&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35328&ppuser=8018)
Hope they recover well. :^)
bilgeyboy
08-06-2010, 09:02 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35329&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35329&ppuser=8018)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=35328&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35328&ppuser=8018)
Hope they recover well. :^)
Thank you for getting the pics here, Abnshrek. You think it's just an adaption problem? They are about 5 months old.
Abnshrek
08-06-2010, 09:26 PM
I'd check the soil on those two to make sure they are plugged up and the soil is getting what its suppose to. You might take a look the roots while your at it if the aren't to far down... Give your self an answer or some peace of mind. :^)
bilgeyboy
08-06-2010, 09:35 PM
I'd check the soil on those two to make sure they are plugged up and the soil is getting what its suppose to. You might take a look the roots while your at it if the aren't to far down... Give your self an answer or some peace of mind. :^)
Thank you so much for your input.
Abnshrek, when you say plugged up, do you mean to make sure the soil isn't draining too quickly?
sandy0225
08-07-2010, 03:46 PM
it looks like overwatering. is your soil clay there? if so it's too much water even with it being hot and humid
bilgeyboy
08-07-2010, 05:50 PM
it looks like overwatering. is your soil clay there? if so it's too much water even with it being hot and humid
Thank you sandy. No, here in my particular locale it is mostly sand. I have had to bring in soil, manure, mulch, etc., to make planting areas for my bananas and other fruit trees. I'll try cutting back on the watering. I did dig it up and the root looks real good. I mixed up another batch of soil and chicken manure compost and replanted it in the same hole.
Would you say that a good soaking every two days would be good for my area?
1aday
08-07-2010, 05:54 PM
Is your chicken manure composted?
Chicken Manure Compost – Chicken Manure For Vegetable Garden Fertilization (http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting-basics/chicken-manure-fertilizer.htm)
It says: (quote) But, the high nitrogen in the chicken manure is dangerous to plants if the manure has not been properly composted. Raw chicken manure fertilizer can burn and even kill plants if used. Composting chicken manure mellows the nitrogen and makes the manure suitable for the garden.(unquote)
bilgeyboy
08-07-2010, 06:45 PM
Is your chicken manure composted?
Chicken Manure Compost – Chicken Manure For Vegetable Garden Fertilization (http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting-basics/chicken-manure-fertilizer.htm)
It says: (quote) But, the high nitrogen in the chicken manure is dangerous to plants if the manure has not been properly composted. Raw chicken manure fertilizer can burn and even kill plants if used. Composting chicken manure mellows the nitrogen and makes the manure suitable for the garden.(unquote)
Yes, 1aday, it's been composted.
1aday
08-07-2010, 08:43 PM
OK, it was just a thought. I'm glad the roots look good, and I hope they recover quickly!
LilRaverBoi
08-09-2010, 03:59 PM
It could be over- or under- watering. Could also be fertilizer burn from over-application.
bilgeyboy
08-09-2010, 07:02 PM
It could be over- or under- watering. Could also be fertilizer burn from over-application.
Thank you LilRaverBoi,
I'm gonna reduce the watering for a while and see what happens. All of the reading I had ever done suggested that bananas like a lot of water, so I was watering every day for 45 minutes, in the morning. All of my other trees seem to be doing fine, so I'm skeptical about the fertilizer, but of course I won't rule it out.
saltydad
08-09-2010, 07:08 PM
Try a little Epsom salts to see if that greens it up. Use 1 tbsp. per gallon. Good luck.
LilRaverBoi
08-09-2010, 10:26 PM
Thank you LilRaverBoi,
I'm gonna reduce the watering for a while and see what happens. All of the reading I had ever done suggested that bananas like a lot of water, so I was watering every day for 45 minutes, in the morning. All of my other trees seem to be doing fine, so I'm skeptical about the fertilizer, but of course I won't rule it out.
Actually bananas do not like a lot of water (constantly, anyway). They DRINK a lot of water, but do best in well-draining soil and do NOT like to have their roots wet for any length of time (causes rotting of the corm/roots). The best suggestion I can give you is to water by hand. Wait till the top couple of inches of soil is dry to the touch, THEN water moderately. Wait again to water till those top few inches are dry again. Anything more than this can cause issues with over-watering, especially if the soil doesn't drain well.
I'd water the affected plants by hand for a few weeks, till they recover. Beyond that point, you could attempt to tailor your automated system to your plants' needs. Right now, though, I'd water by hand for a while just to make them happy.
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2020, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.