arais

I know she's got spider mites, well I do now that I checked out this site. It seems to only maintain 3 healthy leaves at a time, I cut off the dead leaves and mix them into the dirt (or did before I realized she was infested.). The bugs, some overwatering, lack of light and unfavorable weather have taken their toll. I live in the Buffalo region of NY and brought her in for the winter, when most of the damage took place. I received this plant as it was an unneeded corm from a landscaping project. Though it is damaged, can anyone tell me what it is? There are more pictures in my gallery if it helps.
[IMG]url=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=9537&ppuser=3154][/url][/IMG]
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[IMG]url=http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=9533&ppuser=3154][/url][/IMG]


Thank you. ... Anyone know why it can only maintain 3 leaves? Is it due to the bugs, because it has always been that way?

Gabe15

Looks like Musa basjoo, although it looks very weak and its difficult to see some of the distinguishing characteristics.

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Sodak

The first thing you should do is get rid of the spider mites. Then start misting the leaves with cool water on top and bottom of the leaves. Keep your watering down until you can move it back outside where it will start growing faster.

arais

I currently have the mites almost completely eliminated, there seems to be a few that don't want to give up, but considering the progress so far, I am fairly confident they will be gone soon too (contrary to some posts in the forum- the water spraying worked wonderfully). I have re-potted it, completely replacing the soil. I discovered that the drainage was extremely poor but luckily the roots were not damaged. With any luck the tree will soon recover from my poor care, and I have learned from my mistakes. If it does recover well I will post more pictures so maybe I can get a more definite ID. Thank you Sodak and Gabe15 for your replies.

Dean W.

arais, good luck w/ your nanner. Sounds like your on the right track.

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saltydad

How's she looking now?

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Chironex

I found another organic cure for spider mites and aphids. It is super cheap too. I bought a bag of diatomaceous earth at NAPA auto parts store, called "Super Absorbent" part number 8822. It costs about $8-12 for 25# bag. (I use it as a sterile soil for rooting too.)
But I put about a coffee strainer full of it over a funnel in my sprayer, then just run my water through it to fill the sprayer. This slurry kills the little buggers in one day. Won't hurt the plant and keeps the critters from coming back too. Safe for pets, although you really don't want to breathe the dust too much. Best to do this outside. If your sprayer gets clogged, just take it apart and rinse. Clean the nozzle with a toothpick or toothbrush.

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Scot

arais

some improvement, she is bug-free, and finally looking stronger. The wilty-ness is almost gone... There is a new leaf creeping out, hopefully I'll get a better indication of her recovery when it emerges.

saltydad

Great; glad to hear it. Good luck.

__________________
Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men"

"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon





"If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal."
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natedogg1026

Basjoo is my guess judging by the leaf and lack of wax on the pseudo.

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