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View Full Version : My sikkimensis wilts alot?


blownz281
08-23-2009, 10:48 AM
I water it just as much as my other banana's. Soil is always nice and moist and it is growing in part compost/potting soil. Does it not like being in the full sun all day long maybe? It keeps sending up new leaves and looks healthy. Even when the other banana's aren't wilting it still is? I got it a couple months ago and it didn't do it. Since its August its been pretty humid/hot here in NC. So maybe that and being full sun? Thanks

D_&_T
08-23-2009, 02:13 PM
Post a photo might that help in IDing the problem!

blownz281
08-23-2009, 03:20 PM
There's no ID problem Sikkimensis is exactly what it is. Just loves to wilt for some reason..

Velutina
08-23-2009, 03:38 PM
Cells do not have enough water to maintain rigidity.

Possibilities:

-Excessive transpiration. Perhaps humidity is lower than the plant is capable of dealing with and water is not being transported to the leaves as quickly as needed. Or in your case, too much heat.

- Too much water. Root function is impaired by saturated soil and water transport to the leaves is decreased.

- Too little water



I have most often seen this problem in soils that do not absorb water quickly. A few hours after watering, you can dig down near the plant and see if the water is penetrating deep enough.

That would be my guess.

Second guess would be the conditions are too hot, producing excessive transpiration and your plant cannot supply the needed water to the leaves(ie from poor root system)


I have a sikkimensis growing here in Las Vegas. It has done fine all summer in 105F+ heat and low humidity. It, however, is in shade most of the day.

blownz281
08-23-2009, 03:48 PM
Hmm from what your saying makes sense. The soil seems to always be pretty wet. When my buddy dug it up it was planted in his yard with grass around it. It did not get full sun all day long,and soil was dirt and sand. Wilmington NC soil. So does this it sound like the heat and the too moist of soil would be your guess as to the problem? Its funny all my other banana's are growing like crazy in the same exact soil mix. I have no idea how long this plant had been growing kinda in shade part of the day. Plus roots being dry more often I'm sure. What would you suggest I do? Put the plant in a area where it gets less sun? Remove all the compost soil,and mix some potting soil and a small amount of sand? Never thought a banana would hate to much water,all my others can't seem to get enough :). Or should I just let the soil dry out some in between watering? Some plants just aren't happy in pots. Thanks for your help!

Velutina
08-23-2009, 04:45 PM
So the plant is in a pot? When was it dug up?

If dug up recently, it may not have an adequate root system to be in full sun.

If in a pot, i'd move it to a spot with less sun and see how it does.

Is it possible the pot is too big for the plant? (or too small)?

blownz281
08-23-2009, 06:54 PM
It has been atleast two months in the pot and its only a 3ft plant its not very big at all. Nope pot is fine as the plant has no corm yet. If anything it would be too big for the plant. But I really think the pot size is fine. I will move it to a shady place and see what happens. Maybe wait a week or two and see what happens? Thanks

snc
08-24-2009, 08:06 AM
Those sikks kinda got ignored where they were in the yard. did not get a whole lot of water as they were out of sprinkler path. Late sun hit them from about 2-3pm on. For it to be 3 ft though sounds like it has actually grown up pretty nicely. It also wilted pretty bad daily when it was in the ground even without the sun hitting it. but that probably goes back to the lack of water.

blownz281
08-24-2009, 08:15 AM
Hey Todd,

I am going to try and place it more in the shade. The ports ended up taking someone with job experience instead. Thanks for the help.

blownz281
08-25-2009, 06:59 PM
Well part shade did the trick!! It looked a 100 times better today.

Velutina
08-26-2009, 11:19 AM
:woohoonaner:
:nanadrink:

blownz281
08-27-2009, 08:35 AM
Thanks for the help