Flaky Pseudostem
 

Hey all.

I'm primarily growing Musa Basjoo and would-be Blue Java. All my plants are doing well, but one of the most recent purchases (a would-be B.J.) has a flaky, dried up outer pseudostem sheath slowly flaking away.

The plant is in fine shape, has recently put up two pups, and isn't giving me any problems.

The flaky outer-layer of the pseudostem seems like a common enough occurrence, as I see it often in photos of most varieties of bananas. My question is, is this simply the nature of maturing banana plants gaining size and girth, or is it ever a hint of a deficiency or health issue?

"Healthy" Basjoo



"Flaky" "Blue Java"



Any help is greatly appreciated.

Re: Flaky Pseudostem
 

It's normal. As the new shoots come up through the middle, the older/outer shoots die off.

Re: Flaky Pseudostem
 

wish I could help you out, but no idea. I'm sticking around to see what the experts say. I have a plant where the p-stem of you Blue Java looks very similar.

Re: Flaky Pseudostem
 

Thanks Figaro.

I assumed as much, just found it odd that of the 20 or so plants I'm growing, the only one with the dying outer skin happens to be the one that's been in my care the shortest amount of time. It's no larger or better off than any of the others.

Anyway, thanks again!

Re: Flaky Pseudostem
 

if it was outside this winter{i know winter here hahaha}but anyway..we did have a lot of dry windy days..it does tend to dry the outer most sheaths,well it does on mine anyway..

Re: Flaky Pseudostem
 

Hmm. It's possible.

Best of my knowledge, the plant was growing in a greenhouse just north of Tampa, whereas the back of my yard is on a major 6-lane highway in Pinellas County. It can actually get pretty gusty in the yard thanks to the wind-tunnel like conditions that occasionally crop up.

The timing fits though, as it's generally colder in N. Tampa than where I am, and I picked it up around the end of March, when we were getting those last intermittent blasts of cold air.

Plant is pupping, so I'm not one to complain about a little Pstem shedding. Now I just gotta figure out what it might really be lol.

Re: Flaky Pseudostem
 

Totally normal. Just cut it off with scissors or a knife (if you use the knife, be careful not to damage layers beneath....pull out/down on each piece, THEN cut it off). Just peel back the layers starting at the bottom and working your way up removing all the brown/dead.

Re: Flaky Pseudostem
 

Agreed what he said and I recommend that you wear old clothes when doing that. I have stained a few shirts by cutting back my banana plants and there might be still more sap in there than you think....