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alliebdive
06-20-2017, 09:25 AM
hi
I bought my musa as a 4 foot tree 3 years ago and its been doing well. This past winter I wrapped it as usual but when I opened it up it had been caught on the top and lost about 18 inches. since then it has just remained with a small tightly rolled leaf that doesn't open or grow. The stem is firm and two pups have shot up but no main stem leaves! Help! I live in Kent, UK by the way.
Thanks
Allie
Have tried and tried to upload an image but it says its worked and then hasn't.

chris_zx2
06-20-2017, 05:20 PM
hi
I bought my musa as a 4 foot tree 3 years ago and its been doing well. This past winter I wrapped it as usual but when I opened it up it had been caught on the top and lost about 18 inches. since then it has just remained with a small tightly rolled leaf that doesn't open or grow. The stem is firm and two pups have shot up but no main stem leaves! Help! I live in Kent, UK by the way.
Thanks
Allie
Have tried and tried to upload an image but it says its worked and then hasn't.

Could you describe how you wrapped the plant.... in soil, out of soil, in what material, and how was it "caught". Sounds like it may be choking, but need a picture before you start cutting.

alliebdive
06-20-2017, 11:59 PM
I leave it in the ground and surround the whole stem structure with a commercially bought plant 'bag' filled with straw. When I opened it up this year at the beginning of April, the top of the stem was floppy with a brown leaf hanging limp.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154413203421036&set=a.10154413203361036.1073741960.631856035&type=3&theater

Trying lots of ways to upload a pic but still having trouble. Thanks for your help
Allie

alliebdive
06-21-2017, 12:18 AM
Aha! have managed to get a picture into my gallery. Hope you can see it.

edwmax
06-21-2017, 07:10 AM
These pic???

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61906&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=61905&size=big&cat=

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61904&size=1

alliebdive
06-21-2017, 07:53 AM
Yes, these are the pix of the banana. It has been just like this for weeks now. Other transplanted pups from last year are growing so the weather has been warm enough. its been in the 85+F range.

edwmax
06-21-2017, 08:02 AM
OK ... I had a power outage and have to retype this post.

The plant looks like it may be choked.

The leaf may not be opening because dead fiber at the leaf tip has it tied. I would cut the leaf tip off just under the spiral.

Next, clean all the dead brown off of the pstem and post an other picture.

I think i can see a possible bulge at the top of the pstem. If so this is a choke. Split the outter pstem sheaf vertically down to near the center. try not to cut the growing cent stem. Post a picture of the cut.

alliebdive
06-21-2017, 12:48 PM
Thanks! I have cut the top spiral of the leaf off and stripped off all the brown layers from thru Ps. 3 more pix put into gallery which may help further diagnosis.
Ally

edwmax
06-21-2017, 01:22 PM
Your next photos:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61911&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61910&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61909&size=1

edwmax
06-21-2017, 01:30 PM
So the leaf unrolled some, good.

The second photo does show a little flare/widening of the pstem at the top. this could be a choke. ... Try cutting the outter leaf sheaf vertically (6" to 8") to expose the center growing leaf. I think you may see a jumble of leaves inside. If so take a picture and post it. If not the plant will sort itself out in a little time.

cincinnana
06-21-2017, 09:15 PM
edwax is right......you might have something stuck there.:08:

edwmax
06-22-2017, 06:26 AM
Cinci is our resident "choke" expert.

alliebdive
06-22-2017, 10:33 AM
Urrrg....have taken the plunge and cut the outer layers of Ps down about 8 inches. More of the leaf is revealed but no more leaves. The Ps is looking so much thinner as well as shorter than last year. I think t must have been more damaged by the winter than I realised. Have given it a good feed again today as well. Will see how it goes on now. If it doesn't open and start to sprout another leaf soon, should I just cut the Ps down some or totally?

edwmax
06-22-2017, 11:03 AM
Is there a picture?

alliebdive
06-22-2017, 11:41 AM
Hi
Yes have just put 4 picks up labelled latest
Allie

edwmax
06-22-2017, 01:12 PM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61918&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61917&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61916&size=1

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61915&size=1

edwmax
06-22-2017, 01:23 PM
It doesn't appear to have been much of a choke it that was what it was. anyway the cigar leaf has more freedom to grow and the vertical cut doesn't hurt the plant. So let see what happens in the next couple of weeks.


May be Cinci will give his opinion too.