Frustrated Newbie

Behold · 12-29-2012, 07:19 AM

Wondering if I'm just flogging a dead horse. I have a banana plant that I have had for 2 years and I'm unable to do ANYTHING with it.

It refuses to grow in anyway. Leaves sprout regularly and then grow to long before they collapse under there own weight.
It never seems to grow a trunk of any sort so the old stems die back to the roots.

The leaves are long quite thin as far as som bananas and a thick leathery feel.

I grow this indoors at the moment and it seems to grow quite fast. Leaf every 4-5 days is not uncommon. I need to know what it is and whether its worth trying to grow or if I should look for another banana plant.

Thanks

Banana Gallery - image31

H2O · 12-29-2012, 07:38 AM

Welcome !

Seems doing well indoor.
maybe try to change the outdoor soil.

Behold · 12-29-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O

Welcome !

maybe try to change the soil .

Thanks. Maybe I should rephrase that. It grows! it grows fast but never seems to support more than 3-4 leaves with out them breaking under there weight. They grow really long and horizontal. It means the plant always looks a bit sparse.

I did try binding it. It grew REALLY tall and many leaves but did not support it's self. It was just me making the leaves grow longer to reach the lite.

The soil is a compost soil.

H2O · 12-29-2012, 08:10 AM

do you know the "right" name of the plant?

musa basjoo, sikkmensis, ensete, etc.

Behold · 12-29-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H2O

do you know the "right" name of the plant?

musa basjoo, sikkmensis, ensete, etc.

No idea at all that's part of the issue no knowing how its meant to be!

Jose263 · 12-29-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behold

Wondering if I'm just flogging a dead horse. I have a banana plant that I have had for 2 years and I'm unable to do ANYTHING with it.

It refuses to grow in anyway. Leaves sprout regularly and then grow to long before they collapse under there own weight.
It never seems to grow a trunk of any sort so the old stems die back to the roots.

The leaves are long quite thin as far as som bananas and a thick leathery feel.

I grow this indoors at the moment and it seems to grow quite fast. Leaf every 4-5 days is not uncommon. I need to know what it is and whether its worth trying to grow or if I should look for another banana plant.

Thanks

Banana Gallery - image31

where are you? Has it been in same pot for 2 years? or what do roots look like when you move between in/outdoors? what are you feeding it-how often?
Where did you get it?

Behold · 12-29-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jose263

where are you? Has it been in same pot for 2 years? or what do roots look like when you move between in/outdoors? what are you feeding it-how often?
Where did you get it?

I'm southern uk. The plant was owned from young. But the person that I got it from does not know what it.

I repotted a year ago in to the larger pot. It does not fair well outside in any wind so it stays in. As to the roots? What do you want to know about them???

I water it when the soil is near dry. I use my fish tank water for my plants as its high in nitrates. I see no rot on the roots.

Jose263 · 12-29-2012, 11:11 AM

ok - so it lives in the pot - when you say grow outdoors -do you mean move the pot outdoors -
I pot nanas only to overwinter pups in case I lose the inground plants. so not much help here.
Maybe members who grow potted nanas can help Or search the post - lots of info already out there.
Happy growing

Abnshrek · 12-29-2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behold

I need to know what it is and whether its worth trying to grow or if I should look for another banana plant.

Whether or not it has etible banana's? :^)

Behold · 12-29-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

Whether or not it has etible banana's? :^)

Can't get it to grow full enough to work that out. I'm assuming not at the moment that it even flowers to produce fruit.

Abnshrek · 12-29-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behold

Can't get it to grow full enough to work that out. I'm assuming not at the moment that it even flowers to produce fruit.

Well your in the learning curve.. Can't quit till you learn something or why get another plant. :^)

H2O · 12-29-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behold

It never seems to grow a trunk of any sort so the old stems die back to the roots.

The leaves are long quite thin as far as som bananas and a thick leathery feel.

less trunk, long thin leaves maybe ensete, example:
(Poster: saltydad)

another one
(Poster: Jeff)

Romul · 12-29-2012, 12:59 PM

It might not have enough light. What is the source of light for your banana, and what intensity of this source?

Hammocked Banana · 12-29-2012, 04:52 PM

Also think it is a lack of light problem. Explains the weak growth. I think it is growing so fast bc of all the nutrients, but the growth is so weak it can't support all the growth. Also explains why it can't hold up in any wind. Move it to the most light u can find in your house

Behold · 12-29-2012, 05:52 PM

The plant looks most like the first picture.

As to light. It's in the south facing window of the house. Can't give it anymore light. Maybe feed it a bit less to slow it down?

Behold · 12-29-2012, 06:03 PM

Reading up on the ensete ventricosum this seems to show both picture and details that match this plant.

Looks like it will droop the lower leaves and you need to use these to help sturdy the plant. I might have cut these a little too low in the past.

I might water it a bit less and see how that helps it fair. It is a fast grower so ill post some pics when it's a bit bigger. You might be able to help point me where I am going wrong.

Any other tips?

Chance1945 · 12-29-2012, 06:36 PM

Behold, hello from Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Sounds like you have an accelerated growth rate. Since you're giving it all the light that you're able to give it, try backing off on fertilizer. Switch to a balanced fertilizer and follow the directions for feeding indoors.

I'd like to hear from you in a couple months to see if this helps.

Welcome and Happy New Year.

Terry

Romul · 12-30-2012, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Behold

The plant looks most like the first picture.

As to light. It's in the south facing window of the house. Can't give it anymore light. Maybe feed it a bit less to slow it down?

It is not clear where you live, at what latitude. Maybe not enough light and the southernmost window. And if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, it is best to put on a north window

kidding.

Behold · 12-30-2012, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romul

It is not clear where you live, at what latitude. Maybe not enough light and the southernmost window. And if you live in the Southern Hemisphere, it is best to put on a north window

kidding.

I live in the UK so actually no window gets sun

Hammocked Banana · 12-30-2012, 12:18 PM

Your banana looks like some of my young basjoos. If it is an ensete it will like even less water than a musa. I think it doesn't have enough light, my nanners are in south windows and still need supplemental lighting, especially my basjoos which get super weak growth due to their floppy nature. I would suggest less water/food. Maybe water less and dilute your fish tank water in half before applying.

12-29-2012, 07:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Behold Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 5,031 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Frustrated Newbie Wondering if I'm just flogging a dead horse. I have a banana plant that I have had for 2 years and I'm unable to do ANYTHING with it. It refuses to grow in anyway. Leaves sprout regularly and then grow to long before they collapse under there own weight. It never seems to grow a trunk of any sort so the old stems die back to the roots. The leaves are long quite thin as far as som bananas and a thick leathery feel. I grow this indoors at the moment and it seems to grow quite fast. Leaf every 4-5 days is not uncommon. I need to know what it is and whether its worth trying to grow or if I should look for another banana plant. Thanks Banana Gallery - image31 __________________ ------------------------------------ Behold Banana plant unknown Last edited by Behold : 12-29-2012 at 07:36 AM. Reason: Added photo

12-29-2012, 07:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
H2O •.¸ ¸¸.•¨¨ •.¸¸¸.• Location: France Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Jc Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 255 BananaBucks : 65,820 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 101 Times Was Thanked 307 Times in 148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 415 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie Welcome ! Seems doing well indoor. maybe try to change the outdoor soil. __________________ Last edited by H2O : 12-29-2012 at 07:43 AM.

12-29-2012, 08:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
H2O •.¸ ¸¸.•¨¨ •.¸¸¸.• Location: France Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Jc Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 255 BananaBucks : 65,820 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 101 Times Was Thanked 307 Times in 148 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 415 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie do you know the "right" name of the plant? musa basjoo, sikkmensis, ensete, etc. __________________ Last edited by H2O : 12-29-2012 at 08:13 AM.

12-29-2012, 11:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jose263 Jose263's Photo Gallery Location: Gulf Coast Mississippi Find me on the map! Zone: 9a Name: TJ Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 522 BananaBucks : 42,110 Feedback: 6 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,135 Times Was Thanked 713 Times in 357 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 149 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie ok - so it lives in the pot - when you say grow outdoors -do you mean move the pot outdoors - I pot nanas only to overwinter pups in case I lose the inground plants. so not much help here. Maybe members who grow potted nanas can help Or search the post - lots of info already out there. Happy growing __________________ Growing: Orinoco, Rajapuri, Dwarf Cav, SDC, TT, Dwarf Red, Dwarf Namwah, Tall Namwah (aka Ice Cream), Dwarf Brazilian, Veinte Cohol, California Gold, Double Mohai, NOT-Goldfinger, Gran Nain, Velutina

12-29-2012, 12:59 PM	#13 (permalink)
Romul Location: Russia, Moscow Name: Romul Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 64 BananaBucks : 7,249 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 17 Times Was Thanked 35 Times in 28 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 100 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie It might not have enough light. What is the source of light for your banana, and what intensity of this source?

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12-29-2012, 04:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
Hammocked Banana Relaxin Under the Nanners Location: Toronto, ON and Peterborough, ON Find me on the map! Zone: 6a and 5a respectively Name: Brady Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 958 BananaBucks : 53,149 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,178 Times Was Thanked 1,156 Times in 555 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 30 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie Also think it is a lack of light problem. Explains the weak growth. I think it is growing so fast bc of all the nutrients, but the growth is so weak it can't support all the growth. Also explains why it can't hold up in any wind. Move it to the most light u can find in your house

12-29-2012, 05:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
Behold Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 5,031 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie The plant looks most like the first picture. As to light. It's in the south facing window of the house. Can't give it anymore light. Maybe feed it a bit less to slow it down? __________________ ------------------------------------ Behold Banana plant unknown

12-29-2012, 06:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
Behold Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 11 BananaBucks : 5,031 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie Reading up on the ensete ventricosum this seems to show both picture and details that match this plant. Looks like it will droop the lower leaves and you need to use these to help sturdy the plant. I might have cut these a little too low in the past. I might water it a bit less and see how that helps it fair. It is a fast grower so ill post some pics when it's a bit bigger. You might be able to help point me where I am going wrong. Any other tips? __________________ ------------------------------------ Behold Banana plant unknown

12-29-2012, 06:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
Chance1945 Location: Bayou La Batre, Alabama Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Terry Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 227 BananaBucks : 79,333 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 140 Times Was Thanked 220 Times in 129 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 58 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie Behold, hello from Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Sounds like you have an accelerated growth rate. Since you're giving it all the light that you're able to give it, try backing off on fertilizer. Switch to a balanced fertilizer and follow the directions for feeding indoors. I'd like to hear from you in a couple months to see if this helps. Welcome and Happy New Year. Terry

12-30-2012, 12:18 PM	#20 (permalink)
Hammocked Banana Relaxin Under the Nanners Location: Toronto, ON and Peterborough, ON Find me on the map! Zone: 6a and 5a respectively Name: Brady Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 958 BananaBucks : 53,149 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,178 Times Was Thanked 1,156 Times in 555 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 30 Times	Re: Frustrated Newbie Your banana looks like some of my young basjoos. If it is an ensete it will like even less water than a musa. I think it doesn't have enough light, my nanners are in south windows and still need supplemental lighting, especially my basjoos which get super weak growth due to their floppy nature. I would suggest less water/food. Maybe water less and dilute your fish tank water in half before applying.

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