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View Full Version : Looking for help with diagnosis.


banfan
05-18-2009, 03:36 PM
I planted a Dwarf Red (TC) in the ground just before January, about 2 weeks after receiving it. It has looked good until about a month ago.

I noticed then that the leaves were turning black and the cigar leaf was not vigorous and green.

I cut it back to just one leaf, about 15 cm from the ground today and observed that it is light brown to gray in color down the center. There are 4 pups coming out, one at each corner, about 10cm. away from the mother plant.

This problem follows the loss of a Misi Luki (TC) that was planted about 5 meters away diagonally. It appeared to have rotted, shriveled up, and turned into compost in about 2 months.

The other 16 banana plants (TC) that I planted in the same 15m x 30m field are doing well.

Does anyone have an idea as to what the problem is and what the solution might be?

chong
05-18-2009, 03:43 PM
Black,mushy leaves suggests over-watering. You may have a drainage problem in specific areas, if you're not watering too often.

banfan
05-18-2009, 08:17 PM
Chong thanks for your reply. There was no mushy part...just black leaves. I am wondering if the pups will inherit the problem or if they will be just fine.

saltydad
05-18-2009, 10:16 PM
Could you post a pic?

alpha010
05-19-2009, 06:45 AM
Maybe the reds and misi luki aren't resistant to a pathogen in your soil and the other plants are. If I were you, I'd take the red pups and pot them and pull up the misi and the red and take a small zip-loc baggie of soil from near where the corm was and take or send it to get analized for panama, nematodes (harmful), and chemical analysis. If and when you do this, have the bags labeled and take a sample bag from around the ones that are thriving and doing well. I had this happen with plants (non-musa) at my mom's house and found out that one spot used to have a 100 year old pine tree that covered that area and some sap from it was still in the ground killing every plant there even grass. Another spot was where an old piece of downspout that was left inground when replaced was made from some type of pot metal (garbled mix of leads, steels and non-ferrous) was deteriorating and actually poisoning the plants.

My 2 cents.

Shaggy

banfan
05-19-2009, 09:49 AM
Thanks for all of your responses. I am still without a camera....any sugestions for a reliable camera would be appreciated. I'll be digging up the pups and removing the mother plant today. Whatever the problem, it is not harming the nearby tomato plant.

john_ny
05-19-2009, 01:05 PM
banfan - What type camera are you looking for; point & shoot, DSLR ? I recently had to get a new one. When I got the last one, it was an HP 4.1 MP point and shoot. At the time, several years ago, it cost me a total of about $520. I got many very good pictures with it. (those that weren't so good were probably mostly my fault.) Now, they've come down in price so much that I figured I could get a DSLR for that amount. Then, after thinking a little more, I decided that I'm not a professional photographer, and I really did't need the hassle of manual settings, etc., so I ended up wit an 8.1 MP Nikon point & shoot that takes fine pictures, and I like it very much. Total cost, incl. tax and shipping = just under $100.

banfan
05-19-2009, 03:15 PM
That sounds like a decent one John. Thanks for the lead!