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wolfhunter9154 10-26-2011 06:50 PM

Help with wilting banana?
 
Hello everybody, Last spring I bought a basjoo and planted it in the ground. I live in zone 6a, and since it was still small, I decided to dig it up. However, not thinking, I left it sitting in the sun after it was dug up, while I got dirt. This took a good amount of time. Now, what once was a happy basjoo, is now this
I did this on sunday, and it is now wednesday night. I have been watering it, what else should I do? It is currently in my garage and it has been averaging in the 40's (Degrees). Should I bring it in, trim any leaves? Thank you.

pitangadiego 10-26-2011 10:01 PM

Re: Help with wilting banana?
 
If the temps are high and the sun hot, add some shade till it gets stabilized.

wolfhunter9154 10-26-2011 10:03 PM

Re: Help with wilting banana?
 
Its far from hot here :) 40 degrees Farenheit and cloudy.

sandy0225 10-27-2011 07:00 AM

Re: Help with wilting banana?
 
How big is it? It looks pretty small still yet, why don't you take it in the house and put it in a good south or west facing window for the winter? If it's in the 40's in your garage, it won't be making any root growth, or doing much of anything. It also won't need much water. If the soil was watered in thoroughly, then you're done watering for quite a while at 40 degrees. If you're going to keep it at 40 degrees in the garage, then the care is different than if you take it indoors. Also, your outcome is not likely to be as good long term, so maybe you should just make plans to bring it in!
If you take it in, put it near the sunny window mentioned previously, but keep it back a few feet, not directly in the sun, and mist it with water lightly on the leaves to help combat wilting a couple of times a day. Don't water it any more in the pot until the soil starts to dry out slightly at the top. This might take about a week if it was thoroughly watered when planting. Hopefully you used a well draining soil, not the moisture holding type?
After it's had about a week to recover, then move it closer to the window. Like very close! At normal room temps, it's going to make slow growth, so be slow on watering and slow on fertilizer too. Not full throttle like outdoors when it's hot.
Be sure and check the bottom side of the leaves for spider mites and if you see any, wipe them off with a little dish detergent and water on a soft cloth. Like do a couple dishes, and when you get done, just use a rag and wipe the bottom side of the leaves. That strength of detergent/water mix. You don't have to drown the plant with soapy water, just make sure you wipe the bottom side of the leaves thoroughly, especially on each side of the leaf vein down the center because that is their favorite place to be.
Some of the leaves will likely yellow around the edges, and you might even lose a few leaves that is normal adjustment. So don't freak out.

stevelau1911 10-27-2011 08:46 AM

Re: Help with wilting banana?
 
As opposed to digging them up, I ended up planting all my potted bananas except for the ensete mauraliis which still have very short psuedo-stems and don't look large enough to put 1 or more ft in the ground. Those can hang around inside by a south facing window until next spring so they can get a bit taller before going in the ground.

I find that the soil temperature is the most stable and regardless of temperatures in the upper 30s already, they are all still holding up since they are so close to the ground. All of my bananas have been deep planted and they all look better than when they were still in their pots. These guys will be getting leaf bags put over them pretty soon, but no-one is raking up their leaves yet.

Here's the latest blog on them.
Steve's garden: Fall update on the banana plants #2

pitangadiego 10-27-2011 01:17 PM

Re: Help with wilting banana?
 
Yes, 40F will not encourage new growth (roots or leaves). Indoors, 70F+ would be good for it.

wolfhunter9154 10-30-2011 08:50 PM

Re: Help with wilting banana?
 
Ok, sorry for the late reply. I took it inside, and I trimmed off the dead leaves, should I trim off the dead parts on the mostly living leaves? Or should I leave them?

sandy0225 10-31-2011 07:12 AM

Re: Help with wilting banana?
 
doesn't matter. dead can be trimmed off or left on. It's more cosmetic than anything at that point.


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