View Full Version : Stem splitting good or bad?
Smokey-hitz
07-24-2012, 12:26 AM
My banana plant is splitting at the base
Like in this picture (this is not my plant, but looks identical)
click here to see pic (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17968&size=big&cat=&ppuser=567)
bananimal
07-24-2012, 12:56 AM
I ran into this once before. Checking around I was told that this splitting from the base up is from too much salts build up.. Cause was over fert and not enough rain to leach the salts away. Micro watering was not enough to leach it out. Cut back on the fert and cut down those pstems. Watering with an ocillating sprinkler over time got things back to normal. New pups grew out ok. Verified this with a pH meter. Before and after. Granular sulfur applications would help speed things up.
Smokey-hitz
07-24-2012, 01:00 AM
So this will hurt the banana? My thought was it was getting fatter and the outer leaves were just splitting growing with the plant
gtrplr71
07-24-2012, 05:17 AM
I have an ice cream doing this it could be the salt but it is more likely that the stem is putting on girth at the pstem
trebor
07-24-2012, 05:53 AM
Is your plant 2 years old or older? Because when they produce a bloom swelling / splitting at the base can also occur..
Smokey-hitz
07-24-2012, 06:20 AM
My plant is about 2-3 months and about 4 feet tall
bananimal
07-24-2012, 07:34 AM
So this will hurt the banana? My thought was it was getting fatter and the outer leaves were just splitting growing with the plant
This was permanent damage in my case. The leaves stopped sprouting and the split edges of the pstem blackened. The base up to 3 or 4 ft swelled way beyond normal. When I cut it down I found the splitting and rotting ran all the way to the core. Could smell it. Eventually pulled the whole mat and planted something else the following year. Saved the pups. They were ok.
Today am more careful with the ferting.
Smokey-hitz
07-24-2012, 08:07 AM
In the last two weeks i have only fertilized twice as the package instructions said to. But i also did add cow manure to the soil. Hopefully she continues to grow she was doing so good.
venturabananas
07-24-2012, 10:35 AM
If it is still growing actively with good looking new growth, don't worry, this is normal as the plant diameter increases. I guess there are other conditions that could cause splitting that would indicate a real problem, like Dan mentioned, but normal healthy plants do this too as they grow thicker.
sunfish
07-24-2012, 12:01 PM
No problem it's normal
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=17968&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=17968&ppuser=567)
Smokey-hitz
07-24-2012, 12:36 PM
Alright awesome. I have another question though im growing it indoors and i am using a metal haliod light 400 watts. do i need to start giving it less light for it to fruit? Or can i just keep it on the same time through its life cycle? And also i have a dwarf cavendish is there a certain time it fruits?, like how many leaves will it have usually
Thank you sorry for newbish questions first time grower
sunfish
07-24-2012, 02:05 PM
Alright awesome. I have another question though im growing it indoors and i am using a metal haliod light 400 watts. do i need to start giving it less light for it to fruit? Or can i just keep it on the same time through its life cycle? And also i have a dwarf cavendish is there a certain time it fruits?, like how many leaves will it have usually
Thank you sorry for newbish questions first time grower
The more light the better.Bananas fruit when they're ready no certain season or time of year.
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