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View Full Version : Why new nanna leaf is falling?


Patty in Wisc
11-28-2008, 02:00 AM
I have a potted I. C. banana plant that sprung a large leaf & now the leaf is falling down. The other ones aren't, but this one is.
The potting soil is not wet - but not dry. Do you think it's because it's not getting enough light? It's in south facing windows (big one at bottom & one at top) for about 3 hrs per day. Is it not getting enough light?
We put a halogen at the bottom today - shining up. The ceiling is about 20ft tall & no place to hook a lite to - to shine down onto it.
Will it absorb the light from under the leaves - with light shining upward? Or, should I arrange it so it shines downward onto the leaves? (If that's the problem).
Thanks much

Bob
11-28-2008, 08:57 AM
Interesting problem, especially since you say the soil's not wet. light could be it but, you say all the other leaves are fine. Can you post a picture of the room?

Patty in Wisc
11-28-2008, 09:37 AM
Thanks Bob, I have my camera w/ me & I'll take a pic now but won't be able to load it here till at least tomorrow (when I get to my house - on my puter).
This plant is at my fiance's house & I'm living in 2 houses now.

I keep a stick in the pot & pull it out to check the moisture on it for watering. The top 3 inches is dry, but the rest seems OK...semi moist but not wet.
Last spring, I potted it from its winter sleep & soon after, it shot a new leaf but it fell too. I found out later (when I planted it inground) that the pot was not draining good & it was getting root rot. It was OK after I planted it. That doesn't seem to be the case here - I think. The other 7 leaves are staying same. Maybe I'm over reacting(?), but I don't want to lose it now after 2 1/2 yrs.
This new leaf is also bigger than rest so maybe it's the weight of it(?).
I'm going to take a chance & water it w/ a little 'banana fuel' & see what happens.

pitangadiego
11-28-2008, 02:22 PM
As long as it is green, it doesn't matter what "position" it is in, it is still working.

MediaHound
11-28-2008, 08:22 PM
Yea, don't overreact. If you can prop the leaf somehow, go for it, if not its not a big deal. The plant has been moved around so much apparently, its gonna go through different levels of its ability to keep up with itself.

Patty in Wisc
11-29-2008, 03:28 PM
Thanks guys, I propped the leaf up & when I looked up at the top of it, it has a new leaf coming - about 2 inches out! I guess I won't worry anymore.
Yahooo! 2nd leaf since being inside. I figure if I can get 1 leaf a month, that's good.

saltydad
11-29-2008, 04:28 PM
Agree with the above that it's no worry. Bananas don't need Viagra! :ha:

Patty in Wisc
12-01-2008, 04:14 PM
I said I'd post a pic, so here it is. It gets light at bottom from south facing window & some light from upper window.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/nannaleaf.jpg
That leaf is about 4 ft long - see tip on top of tv. I marked it w/ red line (below).
I since put a halogen lite at bottom (no place to put it to shine down) & propped the leaf up. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/Patty_in_Wisc/nannaleaf2.jpg
That 2 inch high new leaf is now over 2 ft in just a couple days! I also gave it some banana fuel. Extra lite, lots of water & fert must've done it. Thanks again.