Log in

View Full Version : I can't figure out what is wrong with my Ensete Maurelii


thegeodeman2005
06-08-2013, 12:22 AM
I got my Ensete 3 years ago from Ebay. When I got it, it was a small plant with two leaves but it grew quickly into a very beautiful banana plant with very nice color I got allot of complements on it. The second year the problem started with the leaves getting spots or patches on them like burns. This was after moving it back outside in the spring. I have tried everything and fought all last year with this plant. I first thought it wasn't getting enough water but that wasn't it. I put it in a bigger pot but that didn't help. I tried filtered sun, shade, less water, more water, I don't give it fertilizer anymore (thought it could be burning from that). I don't get the leaves wet when watering. I finally though the very hot humid summer we were having must be doing it so I gave up and let it go it never did get a spot free leaf not one. This year I have move it back outside for spring and its seems worse this year. I forgot to mention that these spots are also on the new leaves coming out as well. I don't have a way to get pictures of mine but I found some on google that look just like mine but can't find any answers. The patches on my leave are dark in color like the third photo almost black but mine start more in the center of the leaves not the edges the rest of the leaf looks healthy and I don't see any bugs. The last picture is how my base looks now from having to cut off the really bad older leaves. Again these are not pics of my plant I found these on google. My other Bananas do fine with no problems just the Ensete.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/uploads/16411/ensete11.jpg
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/uploads/16411/8890241425_74ff22358e.jpg
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/uploads/16411/Ensete41.jpg
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/uploads/16411/dsc_2436.jpg

bananimal
06-09-2013, 12:35 AM
Pot that thing up in a good sterile potting mix. It should be ok if you fert it and give it full sun. My 2 are about the same size. Still in pots.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53238&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=53238&ppuser=820)

thegeodeman2005
06-09-2013, 09:38 AM
I re-potted mine today. Last year I put it in a big pot because I thought maybe it was drying out to fast causing it to burn. I noticed today that it doesn't have a very good root system. I see some new roots coming out but the big pot I had it in the soil was way too wet. I put it in a medium size pot with fresh soil. My other bananas have nice thick roots when I've re-potted them but this Ensete barely had any so I'm pretty sure that's part of the problem. Plus I cleaned up the base a little the stumps from the leaves I've had to trim off had trapped debris that was staying damp from the rain fall we have been having and they were loaded with ear wig bugs so that can't be good. Hopefully I'm moving in the right direction with it now. Thanks for the reply..

Bananaman88
06-12-2013, 12:25 PM
I think the Ensetes like a moist soil but not one that stays overly wet for too long. They are African plants and I think they need a fairly quick-draining soil. I would definitely suggest going back to at least a moderate fertilizer schedule. Potted plants, as I'm sure you know, get the nutrients leached out very quickly from all the watering. Some of your leaf issues could be the result of inadequate nutrients coupled with poorly draining potting mix.

thegeodeman2005
06-12-2013, 09:17 PM
Yeah last year when these spots started I thought it could be that it was in to small of a pot and not staying moist enough so I put it in a larger pot which I think actually made things worse. When I re-potted it the other day the first thing I noticed was that it barely had any good roots I mean my other bananas usually have a nice thick root ball when I've re-potted them but this ensete didn't and the soil was too wet (we've had allot of rain here in Maryland). I cleaned up the base to it had allot of I call them nubs/stumps left from where I've had to cut leaves off. I could not believe the junk that had collected between to nubs and the stem plus they were loaded with ear wig bugs. So with the smaller pot, better soil and clean base I'm hoping it helps. I did see some new root growth. I have it now where it doesn't get full sun the hole day maybe just a few hours, the rest of the day its filtered I want it to get some good roots before I stick it out in the sun all day plus I'll give it some fertilizer. It is getting a new leaf so lets see what it looks like. I think the main problem or I'm hoping was that it was just staying to wet and caused the roots to rot and maybe the junk that was trapped in the base staying wet plus the bugs might be the cause of the spots on the leave. I'll keep a close eye on it and make sure it doesn't stay to wet this time. All my other Bananas are doing fine.

Thank for the reply..

aggiehortgirl
06-02-2017, 06:28 AM
Wow! A bunch of folks are having the same problem with Maurelii! I think it's Anthracnose.

sputinc7
06-02-2017, 07:04 AM
It sounds like root rot to me. Once that gets a foothold it is hard to stop. I am no banana expert, but all plants seem to do the same thing when the roots begin rotting, and that is the impression I get.

wolfebc
06-02-2017, 11:52 AM
I got my Ensete 3 years ago from Ebay. When I got it, it was a small plant with two leaves but it grew quickly into a very beautiful banana plant with very nice color I got allot of complements on it. The second year the problem started with the leaves getting spots or patches on them like burns. This was after moving it back outside in the spring. I have tried everything and fought all last year with this plant. I first thought it wasn't getting enough water but that wasn't it. I put it in a bigger pot but that didn't help. I tried filtered sun, shade, less water, more water, I don't give it fertilizer anymore (thought it could be burning from that). I don't get the leaves wet when watering. I finally though the very hot humid summer we were having must be doing it so I gave up and let it go it never did get a spot free leaf not one. This year I have move it back outside for spring and its seems worse this year. I forgot to mention that these spots are also on the new leaves coming out as well. I don't have a way to get pictures of mine but I found some on google that look just like mine but can't find any answers. The patches on my leave are dark in color like the third photo almost black but mine start more in the center of the leaves not the edges the rest of the leaf looks healthy and I don't see any bugs. The last picture is how my base looks now from having to cut off the really bad older leaves. Again these are not pics of my plant I found these on google. My other Bananas do fine with no problems just the Ensete.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/uploads/16411/ensete11.jpg
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/uploads/16411/8890241425_74ff22358e.jpg
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/uploads/16411/Ensete41.jpg
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/uploads/16411/dsc_2436.jpg

This looks like light and fertilizer issues. When moving any banana
plants outdoors it should be put in a shaded position for at least a week
or two, then moved into a position where it gets some morning sun only
to get used to the brightness. If it is getting afternoon sun, this is most
likely the cause of your leaves burning up. When bringing them out in
the spring don't give them full sun.
A good high nitrogen fertilizer used for at least every second fertilizing will
benefit these plants. The require large amounts of nitrogen to produce these
very large leaves. (but only when it's warm enough and they are actively growing)
They shouldn't go outside until the night time temperatures are at least
47 F or higher, preferably higher. if you are putting them out too early
when it is too cold you could get corm die off. As you do not have pics
of your actual plant in question it is a little harder to diagnose.
If I had to guess, I would guess lighting could be your number one issue.
I would make sure it is under potted with a well draining soil mix with
non burning organic matter such as chicken manure and perhaps some
slow release fertilizer and a bit of Azomite helps provide important micronutrients. Water sparingly when its cooler and generously when it's
in the 80 F and higher. Only let it get morning sun.
These Ensete's don't need large pots. They withstand having their roots
partially submerged in water constantly if the temperature is at least
70 degrees F. or warmer. They are often sold as marginal pond plants
here in Canada. When it's cooler it is best to keep them on the drier side.
And always remember when taking your plants outside in the spring,
to put in the shade and not let it get any direct sun for at least a week.
Goold luck, I hope you can get your plant to thrive.
Hope this helps some. :drum:

Tytaylor77
06-02-2017, 12:43 PM
It sounds like root rot to me. Once that gets a foothold it is hard to stop. I am no banana expert, but all plants seem to do the same thing when the roots begin rotting, and that is the impression I get.

I would agree. Browning around the outer edge of the leaf is a sign of overwatering. No matter what the issue is cut way back on the watering for a few weeks and see what happens.

Is yours in a pot or in the ground?