View Full Version : Soft area on leaf stem and fallen leaf
aupoet
06-14-2009, 10:39 AM
Hi, I am a first year banana grower and have an Ice Cream that is some 4 ft. tall now, growing outside in a partial shady spot. It has been growing quickly without any problems since I set it out back in March. It was putting out a new leaf yesterday and when I checked it today there was the new leaf all broken over and the stem has a soft, bruised liked, spot where the leaf broke over. There is no sign of chewing just a weak soft spot. Is this a disease or deficiency? If so what should I do to save my plant? I amended the soil last fall with lots of compost and rotted chicken manure that sat all winter before I planted the nana this spring. We had a good rainy spring and I put some 5 lbs of cotton seed meal around the base about 2 weeks ago. We've had no rain for over a week now so I watered it good two days ago. Should I cut this leaf off below the soft spot? It is a well formed leaf and full size. Should I try saving it by splinting it with a piece of wood? I am not sure how to upload photos to this site but I can take a picture of it if that will help and if someone can tell me how to upload them to this site. Thank you.
lorax
06-14-2009, 11:10 AM
I'd cut the leaf - what you're talking about sounds like the kind of damage that happens when an animal jumps onto the plant and breaks the leaf. Cutting it will prevent it from rotting and spreading rot. I see this all the time with monkeys in/on my bananas, although I doubt that's what caused your problem.
LilRaverBoi
06-14-2009, 01:50 PM
I see this all the time with monkeys in/on my bananas, although I doubt that's what caused your problem.
What, they don't have monkeys in AL?? LOL
Yeah, I'd just remove the leaf. Once they get broken off, they're basically done anyway. Unless it's the only leaf on the plant, I wouldn't worry about trying to prop/save it. And yeah, brown squishy areas are usually rot which can spread if it is not removed. Good luck...I'm sure it'll be fine, though.
aupoet
06-14-2009, 04:29 PM
Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate the help and will just cut it off and see how it goes.
CookieCows
06-14-2009, 05:03 PM
I had a problem like that the end of last summer with my Saba. The leaves were as tall as the house and suddenly every new leaf started falling as soon as it unfurled like it had a weak spot. I never figured out what it was. I tried propping it up but like what was already said... once it was bent, it was done so I ended up cutting the leaves up into squares and putting in the freezer for cooking.
I'd be interested to hear updates as you go along to see if it stops!
Deb
aupoet
06-19-2009, 07:54 PM
Well it has happened again. On the same tree another new leaf was unfurling and I went out today and there it was bent over near the base of the stem with a soft spot. No sign of being chewed on and the other older leaves, it has 7, are still good and strong. I bought two trees last fall, kept them in the green house till this spring, and set them out. One is in full sun and not having any problems other than some sharp shooter bugs sucking on the new leaves. This one is in partial shade -it gets some 6 hours of direct sun a day. Can anyone help me?
Darkman
07-04-2011, 11:26 PM
This question never received a good answer and now two of my plants have experienced the same thing. The leaves look perfectly fine except where they bent over. I thought it was wind damage. Does anyone have any ideas?
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