View Full Version : New to banana plants!
Karban1
06-08-2018, 10:17 AM
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63144&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63144&ppuser=27919)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=63142&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=63142&ppuser=27919)
Hi everyone!
My name is Kristen, and I purchased my first plant last week (cavendesh dwarf banana plant). The seller I’ve ourchased from has been very helpful but I would love some help from those who live in colder regions (seller is in Florida, I’m in central NJ).
Right now my plant is in a pot in my living room under a grow light because none of our rooms get much sun and the weather has been really weird here- when I leave in the AM for work it’s around 60 degrees so I haven’t been comfortable putting it outside yet. I’m not sure it’s doing so great though, the edge of the leaves are very brown and one of them is almost completely brown. It doesn’t seem to have grown much since I got it. I’ve been watering daily as instructed by the seller, but I’m not sure if I’m drowning it? Or if my grow lights are too close to it?
I’m trying to figure out how to upload photos, but I’m on my phone and I’m having trouble doing so.
geissene
06-08-2018, 11:11 AM
Hi Kristen
Congrats on your new banana ownership!
I live in eastern PA so the growing conditions we have are similar. If you have browning leaf edges, I think you are watering too much. When plants are indoors, you can water at most once a week.
I have had my banana plants outside for over a month now and some morning temps were in the mid 40s. I do get some black spots on leaves and some leaves get sunburned, but now that the warmer weather is here those problems will go away quickly and the new leaves will come out perfect.
Good luck!
Erik G
Karban1
06-08-2018, 11:23 AM
thank you so much! I had a feeling i was water too much but i was just doing what the seller said to do. she also said to keep it inside if the temps were less than 70 degrees which is why it's been under a grow lamp.
i just figured out how to upload photos, would you mind looking at my original post and telling me what you think?
Hi Kristen
Congrats on your new banana ownership!
I live in eastern PA so the growing conditions we have are similar. If you have browning leaf edges, I think you are watering too much. When plants are indoors, you can water at most once a week.
I have had my banana plants outside for over a month now and some morning temps were in the mid 40s. I do get some black spots on leaves and some leaves get sunburned, but now that the warmer weather is here those problems will go away quickly and the new leaves will come out perfect.
Good luck!
Erik G
Checker55
06-08-2018, 06:58 PM
Hi Kristen
You might consider buying on of those two prong water indicators . I have lost a lot of plants with overwatering. I would only water if the soil is dry.
Karban1
06-08-2018, 10:24 PM
Hi Kristen
You might consider buying on of those two prong water indicators . I have lost a lot of plants with overwatering. I would only water if the soil is dry.
Thank you- do you think there is any saving this plant so long as I stop watering it for the time being? Or does it look too far gone?
Checker55
06-08-2018, 11:16 PM
I have tried cutting out any mushy black areas with a sterilized tool. Never had any luck. I wish I had better news for you. I have read on this forum to buy pups with at least four leaves on it. Watering every day might be the way to do in a tropical area.
cincinnana
06-09-2018, 06:02 AM
Right now my plant is in a pot in my living room under a grow light because none of our rooms get much sun and the weather has been really weird here- when I leave in the AM for work it’s around 60 degrees so I haven’t been comfortable putting it outside yet.
Awesome setup you have there.
I have something similar for a few of my plants
Southern Ohio morning temps have been in the 50-60 range with the afternoon highs of 80 + degrees. The heat will be turned up this weekend and I am sure the plants will love it
Ohio weather is similar to your weather
My plants are outside also like some of the other forum members in cooler regions who grow these plants.
Once you put the plant outdoors in part sun to give it some heat and cut back on some water your plant could sort itself out in a month or two.
If you have some free time check out Youtube (keyword growing bananas in pots) for some videos on growing bananas.
Most videos are homemade by folks just like us growing all kinds stuff .
Just pick and choose what is helpful.
Keep us posted on the progress.
Karban1
06-09-2018, 02:30 PM
Thank you so much- I’m hoping bc I still see green at the stalk (trunk? I’m not sure what that part is called!), that i might be able to bring it back to life.
Awesome setup you have there.
I have something similar for a few of my plants
Southern Ohio morning temps have been in the 50-60 range with the afternoon highs of 80 + degrees. The heat will be turned up this weekend and I am sure the plants will love it
Ohio weather is similar to your weather
My plants are outside also like some of the other forum members in cooler regions who grow these plants.
Once you put the plant outdoors in part sun to give it some heat and cut back on some water your plant could sort itself out in a month or two.
If you have some free time check out Youtube (keyword growing bananas in pots) for some videos on growing bananas.
Most videos are homemade by folks just like us growing all kinds stuff .
Just pick and choose what is helpful.
Keep us posted on the progress.
Karban1
06-09-2018, 02:32 PM
Thank you for the tip- I didn’t know this plant only had 2 leaves on it until I received it, but I will try to find one with 4 leaves in the even this one doesn’t make it.
Nothing on this plant is mushy black, more shriveled and brown. Except for the base right above the soil, it’s nice and bright green there.
I have tried cutting out any mushy black areas with a sterilized tool. Never had any luck. I wish I had better news for you. I have read on this forum to buy pups with at least four leaves on it. Watering every day might be the way to do in a tropical area.
geissene
06-09-2018, 04:16 PM
I would put it outside, but keep it out of full sunlight until several nice leaves form. Once outside, you can water every few days as needed.
Good luck!
GeckoGirl
06-09-2018, 04:43 PM
Definitely not an expert, but I have done a lot of talking to people and reading so this may or may not be good advice. What I can tell you for sure is that some areas here (like where I am) the outside bananas will naturally get watered every day in the rainy season and the bananas love it BUT our soil here is mostly sand so it drains off quickly. Not sure what kind of soil you are using but I potted mine in a mix of soil that I bought from the store and the dirt from our yard (basically sand). If you want to water every day or every other day, then I would consider what kind of soil you are using since from what I am told, bananas love water but they don't love sitting in it. Try using a well draining soil if you aren't already.
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