View Full Version : Spongy P Stem - sick nanna?
Patty in Wisc
03-17-2009, 01:46 AM
When I squeeze the Pstem it feels spongy/soft. So I peel the old leaf stem down & stem feels better inside that old stem. The top half is green & firm, but the further down, the more it feels soft & not as green. It is in my cool temp sunroom & didn't put out a leaf all winter due to cold & semi dormant. Maybe I overwatered? I think I should take it out of pot & check the roots. I just noticed that it is starting a new leaf not quite out yet.
It is a ice cream & P stem is about 5 ft.
Is it dying? Can I save it?? Thanks
Tog Tan
03-17-2009, 12:05 PM
Yo Patty, as you are aware I am not a 'cold' grower but what I am trying to say here is that it's best to remove the rotting area as the new leaf would not be able to get through it. Also there is the chance of it rotting further down.
It happens to the pups here when we ship them around. This is usually due to temperature stress.
If you check the roots and the bottom, they should be firm and ok. It's basically a rot which started due to some reason. I had this happening to pups which were the diameter of 6in. Once cut, it may die back to the corm and a new pup will emerge later. I feel it's better this than to have it rot all the way down.
All the best.
I'd cut it out ASAP. If it rots all the way through your going to lose the top anyway. Jon has a good take on this with pics on his webe bananas site.
just j
03-17-2009, 03:39 PM
dont water it just leave it be set it outside it was 68 degrees by me in wisconsin today i put all my potted plants outside on the deck it was alot warmer in the sun i think if u did that it would help if it has a new leaf comin out thats good peal all the mushy stuff off the stem and dry it out alittle it u could even repot it in dry soil
Patty in Wisc
03-17-2009, 03:45 PM
Thanks guys, Jons pics look like my stem - not as brown & lower. I took it out of pot & roots look OK except a couple short rotted ones I cut off. I think problem was the soil on bottom was too moist & compacted. I cut a 2 ft pup off (it was fine) & put a bunch of perlite & vermiculite & mixed it in same soil. I'll wait & see.
Bob, I'm leaving to ship your little pkg out. I'll pm you.
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