Bananas.org - Basjoo runts

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Hey all,
I live in Jersey, and have had multiple Basjoos in the ground now for well over a month. Ive noticed new leaves weekly, but rapid browning, and eventually the leaves wither. Always a new leaf shooting up. Now as the weather remains warm, and with 5+ hours of sun, I would think the plants would grow a bit more. I have not even noticed an increase in height. any thoughts???

Re: Basjoo runts

Hi !

I think these elements could help to find out:

-Do you have pics of this?

-Are they in full sun?

-What kind of substrat?

-How often watering?

-Do you use fertilizer?

I have some basjoos (still in pot), the only thing that hurted them was full sun.
Because they were small and never had full sun before.

If you are enough lucky to have full bright sun, maybe give them shade for some weeks.

Re: Basjoo runts

Thank you H20 For a quick response...

-Do you have pics of this? Yes Click Link
Banana Gallery - shayes83 Gallery

-Are they in full sun? The plants generally get about 5+ hours of direct sunlight

-What kind of substrat? It is a little moist, does not completely dry out, however no standing moisture or soupy ground. The soil is nice, some clay as you dig a few feet down

-How often watering? with rain, I would say every other day...

-Do you use fertilizer? Yes I have fertilized with 24 8 16, about once every two weeks for about a month now...

Thanks!!!

Re: Basjoo runts

Quote:

Originally Posted by shayes83 (Post 197399)

-Do you use fertilizer? Yes I have fertilized with 24 8 16, about once every two weeks for about a month now...

Thanks!!!

Two things:

1. I do not know how much and what kind of fertilizer you use. Nitrogen (the 24 in your fertilizer)
has to be used with some caution, because it may burn roots, especially tender ones, which are
trying to develop after transplanting. Now, if it is a small amount of liquid fertilizer each time, you
won't have a problem. But with pelleted fertilizer you should probably wait 6 weeks between
applications. It does not dissolve in two weeks and you get an accumulation, which, again depending
on the quantity, may become toxic.

2. Bananas do not appear to like transplanting. Period! But when the transplanting involves a
drastic change of environment, you will have to give it at least 4 weeks, before you can expect any
positive growth.

Three weeks ago I finished stocking my new "Tropical Planter" (See: http://www.bananas.org/f8/my-brand-n...ter-15715.html).
That included a couple of Ornatas, still connected to the common corm, which have spent the
winter indoors (growing) and a two year old Basjoo pup, which had wintered outside and which I had
cut out of the mat that day.

The Basjoo resumed solid growth after about 10 days, despite not yet having pushed out a full leaf
after the winter. One of the Ornatas shows decent growth more recently, while the other one is still
lingering in limbo.

All had suffered transplant shock, but the Basjoo had the advantage of moving to a similar environment.

In summary for you: The fertilizing may be a concern, depending on type and quantity, but IMOEO
the problem lies with the drastic change of your plant's environment. So give it time and consider
laying off with the fertilizer until your plants are established and show signs of positive growth.

Good luck,
Olaf
PS: I have come to the conclusion that digging out the plants and wintering them indoors is not
worth the trouble. They may freeze back close to the ground during winter, but with roots and
corm undisturbed, they recover quickly in spring, while those transferred from indoors are still
wrestling with the changed environment. At least this is my experience with Basjoos

Re: Basjoo runts

Thanks!!!
Yes I have been only applying small amounts of liquid fert, however I will lay off until I see some signs the plants have become established.

thank you for the help!!