bananimal
06-15-2007, 03:39 PM
Need help folks!
I planted my starting collection of 11 different bananas after last danger of frost this year, and if someone asked, "how's it going?" I would have said OK -- 8 weeks ago.
The first casualty was the ensette Maurelli. I spotted red spider mites too late. Sprayed with light solution of malathion. Mites and leaves died. Kept it potted, leaves came back, mites too. Tried isopropyl alcohol per recommendation and had a repeat performance. Core died off. The pitogo followed suite afterwards but saw no bugs.
Presently all 3 still living "reds", those with red in their genetic makeup, are shooting new leaves that are each smaller than the previous one. Red iholele, gran nain x sumatrana, kru. What the heck is going on here??? The only thing I can think of is too much water - we started getting rain again 3 weeks ago ------- again - haaalp!
This has been my regimen from the beginning. All, except ensette and Ae Ae planted 8 ft apart along south fence. Removed 3 foot diameter circles of sod. Used power auger to break up soil and planted 9 plants that had been potted for at least 2 months. Top of root ball level with soil, topped with 20 lbs composted cow manure to whack the nematodes. Have been applying 1 pound of custom 6-2-12 banana blend each month - started after new growth appeared. Water comes from the sprinkler system - was 3 days/wk, now 2. Every thing grew, some slower than others.
I was told mixing ammendments with the soil itself was not necessary. Soooooo, what's wrong -- haaalp! I should mention that the others are doing well, especially the goldfinger and dwarf orinoco - both over 7 feet tall now.
Collection consists of dwarf orinoco, grand nain x sumatrana, red iholene, saba, dwarf brazilian, pitogo, kru, hua moa, goldfinger and ae ae (still potted - it goes to bed with me at night along with dog and wife).
I planted my starting collection of 11 different bananas after last danger of frost this year, and if someone asked, "how's it going?" I would have said OK -- 8 weeks ago.
The first casualty was the ensette Maurelli. I spotted red spider mites too late. Sprayed with light solution of malathion. Mites and leaves died. Kept it potted, leaves came back, mites too. Tried isopropyl alcohol per recommendation and had a repeat performance. Core died off. The pitogo followed suite afterwards but saw no bugs.
Presently all 3 still living "reds", those with red in their genetic makeup, are shooting new leaves that are each smaller than the previous one. Red iholele, gran nain x sumatrana, kru. What the heck is going on here??? The only thing I can think of is too much water - we started getting rain again 3 weeks ago ------- again - haaalp!
This has been my regimen from the beginning. All, except ensette and Ae Ae planted 8 ft apart along south fence. Removed 3 foot diameter circles of sod. Used power auger to break up soil and planted 9 plants that had been potted for at least 2 months. Top of root ball level with soil, topped with 20 lbs composted cow manure to whack the nematodes. Have been applying 1 pound of custom 6-2-12 banana blend each month - started after new growth appeared. Water comes from the sprinkler system - was 3 days/wk, now 2. Every thing grew, some slower than others.
I was told mixing ammendments with the soil itself was not necessary. Soooooo, what's wrong -- haaalp! I should mention that the others are doing well, especially the goldfinger and dwarf orinoco - both over 7 feet tall now.
Collection consists of dwarf orinoco, grand nain x sumatrana, red iholene, saba, dwarf brazilian, pitogo, kru, hua moa, goldfinger and ae ae (still potted - it goes to bed with me at night along with dog and wife).