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View Full Version : HELP with Ensete Superbum!


Paulpepe
03-29-2009, 10:30 AM
Of 10 Superbum seeds that I planted, five germinate. However I only have one plant left...mainly because my stupidy and mismanagment. The plant I have left is about tree inches tall, two leaves. The problem: the top half of both leaves have turned black. The stem is still rigid but looks pale...almost translucent. Is the normal or do I have a problem. It is currently in a window that gets very filtered sun in the afternoon. There is a thick shade tree in front of the window. I added long lasting fertilizer pellets when I planted it. It doesn't seem to be doing anything but just setting there. I don't want to lose my sole survivor. What is wrong and what can I do? Thanks

Paul

Tog Tan
03-29-2009, 10:41 AM
Paul, I suspect you started the E superbum seedlings on the wet side. Also, giving them fert at this stage is too soon. It could be a combo of both overly damp and fert burn. Try changing the soil to a drier mix and more porous.

Check some of the older threads for germination and care of Ensete. Good luck.

Paulpepe
03-29-2009, 10:48 AM
It is done! I think you are right. Anyway, there were no roots on the stem at all so I imagine it is a goner but I transplanted it anyway in hopes that a hair root or two survived. My soil was too wet. thanks for your advise.

Paul

Tog Tan
03-29-2009, 11:02 AM
It is done! I think you are right. Anyway, there were no roots on the stem at all so I imagine it is a goner but I transplanted it anyway in hopes that a hair root or two survived. My soil was too wet. thanks for your advise.

Paul

Paul,

Don't give up till it's not there anymore. You can keep the humidity up by misting it. I had sdlgs which had the bottom rotted off but came back when kept on the drier side and the environment kept humid.

When it makes it through a week or two, foliar feed it with something like the Alaska fish emulsion on the diluted side and nurse it back.

All the best

Paulpepe
03-29-2009, 03:30 PM
Thanks. As long as it keeps hanging in there, i'll be there. Who do you recommend for good fresh ensete superbum seeds? I would like to try some more.

Paul

Michael_Andrew
03-29-2009, 05:07 PM
I ordered seeds from Banana Tree planted about 50 3 weeks ago and just had three pop. Its the Thailand variety.

Paulpepe
03-29-2009, 07:28 PM
Did you use the plastic bag, damp medium and bottom heat? Was wandering how sucessful I would be to sow them in a flat and cover with something like saran wrap without bottomheat. We are in the 80's and 90's day and 70's at night. Humidity is between 40-60%. This is pretty standard most of the year with just a bit milder temps and a few "cold" fronts (40-60) move through. So was wandering how they might germinate undfer those conditions only in flats rather than bags.

Paul

Michael_Andrew
03-29-2009, 08:01 PM
I just planted them in moist pro mix in a flat. It does have a clear top. I just checked the temp and its 75 degrees. I think 80 or 90 would be even better. I would defiantly cover with saran wrap or get a cover for your flat. I have been germinating in zip locks with moist perlite at 80 degrees. I just float them in my aquarium but was running out of room there so I set this flat up in the basement. I have the flat sitting on an upside down rubbermaid with a 60 watt bulb inside to provide bottom heat (warning: if not set up properly this can be a fire hazard). It's been about 55 degrees down there and the bulb has the pro mix at 75 degrees.

Michael

Paulpepe
03-29-2009, 09:20 PM
I know what you mean about running out of space. I incubate eggs all year around and I load the outside of the incubators up with ziplocks....runs 80-85 degrees. sure makes it tough when I need to get into the incubator! I am going to try flats, especially during the summer months. My keep using zip locks during the winter because of nighttime temps...50's and 60's. Between my egg hatching and seed germinating, I use up all my extra space. Thanks for the tips. Just ordered some more Supers.


Paul