thebigrlebowski

About a month ago I got four blue java's from fastgrowing trees. The shipment was delayed and took about 9 days to get to me.

I am located in zone 8A in Fort Worth. The link below shows how they are now and the day they arrived.

About a week after arrival, they all had spider mites that I tried treating with watered-down rubbing alcohol and misting water a few times a day but that was only a little effective. I moved to spray with a premixed bottle of insecticide soap and a few days later treated with neem. They are pretty much wiped out except for a few stragglers that I can find on one of them.

After I got them, I repotted them into larger containers with miracle grow cactus mix since it's supposed to be fast draining and I watered them in until water came out the bottom of the pots. Since then I have watered them about once a week or so. They are in self-watering pots but I tip them and drain any excess.

To make sure they are not soggy, today I dug down about 5 inches along the side of each pot and the soil is moist but definitely not soggy. If you try and clump it, it still falls apart. However, I have a cheap moisture meter that shows it maxed out on moisture about 3 inches deep. Also noticed that while digging down, the soil was quite warm so I moved them so the pot was shaded but the plants were still in sun.

They have been indoors for the past couple of weeks on south-facing windows that are 8 feet tall, should be getting plenty of light while inside (as far as window light goes) until temps get warmer overnight.

2 have put on one more leaf while in my care and all are now showing new leaves sprouting.

I have cut off a couple of different leaves that were bent over and looked dead.

My plan is to plant them once overnight temps stay above 50.

About a week ago I fertilized with a quarter pound of 13-13-13 for each plant. This was my first time fertilizing them.


Link is below to see some very sad plants. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
https://imgur.com/a/nMEyR2w

Janelle525

Sounds like you have already figured out to check for overwatering. I have found when people are asking about this the usual culprit is either too much or not enough water. But it can also be the pot is getting cooked in the sun. Good on you for checking both of those things!

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Super Dwarf Cavendish, Tall Namwah, Goldfinger, Praying Hands, Raja Pisang, Manzano.

thebigrlebowski

Thanks. I'm leaning towards over watering since the moisture meter reading is so high but not positive.

Bananagardendreamboy

When it comes to new plants like this, I like to pot them up and leave them in a mostly shady area with light amounts of water to let them acclimate. You can never go wrong starting slow with them.

thebigrlebowski

So I got more curious and removed the two worse-off plants from their pots to check out the soil and roots. The smallest one with one leaf definitely had some wet soil. If you grab a hand full and squeeze hard, water would come out between your fingers but not drip. I also noticed some root rot and cut off anything that was soft. I have the root ball broken up and drying out a bit. It seems the soil from the nursery holds most of the water. Even though they are in a cactus mix, I will be adding more perlite as well. Anything else I should be doing? Pics are in the link below.

https://imgur.com/a/ZA3LPAD

pitangadiego

Just keep them damp. No more. They won't show much growth at this time of year: it's winter. Fertilizer is not needed till they are actively growing. Pray for spring.

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Encanto Farms Nursery
http://encantofarms.com
We Be Bananas
http://webebananas.com

Art_R

Bananas typically don't look their best during winter. Also, don't expect much growth during the winter. I agree with Pitangadiego about bananas not needing fertilizer during the winter. As long as they are showing signs of new growth, they are probably fine. They will probably take off like rockets when the weather warms up and you get them into the ground.

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Here's what I'm growing: Grand Naine, Namwa, Blue Java, Raja Puri, Patupi, & a mystery nanner

tjsplace

That is good to know since I am new to banana plants and have two headed for outdoors when the temps are right.