Leaves browning around the edges
 

I have had this banana for only about 2 or maybe 3 weeks, so I'm quite the worried parent . The two new leaves that it's been working on putting out has started to brown and crisp around the edges. Some of the leaves that were already there have also started to get a bit brown around the edges. The two pups that are growing are looking pretty good still, though.

I haven't put any fertilizer or anything like that on it, and I've only watered it when the soil was somewhat dry. We've had some cooler weather lately so I don't know if that makes a difference. Here are some pics if maybe that will help.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

check for spider mites and how cold did it get if I got down to low it cold be cold damage. What kind of banana is it?

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

It got down into the 40's for a couple of nights. I've been told that it is a super dwarf cavendish. I'm starting to think that it may not be a SDC, though. It's taller than the biggest SDC that I've seen.

I don't really know what to look for with spider mites, so I'm going to google it and see what I can find out. Thanks for the reply, though, cause I'd really hate to lose this plant.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

Spider mites are kinda hard to see unless your really looking for them. Look for small webs on the ribs on the under side of the leaves.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

I'm going to check it out when I get home from work tonight. I'm thinking it's going to look like cobwebs, sort of, from the pictures that I've found. If it spider mites, is there a way to kill them out without killing the banana?

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

It could also be that this bananaplant was grown inside and isn't used to full sun. Then it goes through an adjusting fase. The old leaves will get sunburn. But the new leaves shouldn't get it anymore. If the new leaves get burned then you probably have a different problem.

Of course the one that appears now doesn't count since it already was on it's way.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

It was in a greenhouse when I bought it, but I don't know where it had actually grown because the greenhouse had only had it for a few days before. I'm keeping it on our porch out of direct sun, so do you think the opposite could be true? That it is browning out because it's possibly not getting the amount of sun that it is used to.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

Browning out because a banana gets to little sun is not very likely. Seems to me your banana just needs to toughen up for a while. Every new leave will become stronger and stronger. If possible provide some shade if gets to much sun.

Most bananas are grown inside, simply because they can't be grown outside in the winter. This results in a weaker plant. It's like that with every kind of plant.
Ideally you let them get used to being outside in the sun very slowly and step by step. First in shade then a more sunny spot and so on.

Compare it with a human, if it's winter here and we go on a sunny vacation we will get burned aswell.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

I think I agree. Most any plant, if it has been grown indoors, is used to lower light, and must be acclimated to outdoor conditions, gradually, or it will get sunburned. Even in a greenhouse, the light level is considerably less than outside. Also, if you get a plant shipped to you, the few days in the dark (wile in the box, for shipping) can have an effect. I think, after a couple of more leafs, your's should be fine.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

That makes sense. I think I'm a little bit over protective of this banana. LOL

Thanks for the help.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

Overnight temps in the 40's could do this to a Cavendish banana that's coming from a nice, warm, humid greenhouse.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

We're in the mid 70's to mid 80's during the day and lows around 65 at night. The browning from lower temps should work itself out now that the temps have gotten much better, I assume? Thanks for the reply.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

I would think that with those temps (highs 70's - 80's and lows in the mid 60's) you should have some happy, fast growing banana plants. Good luck.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

Can't tell for sure, but it looks more like cold damage than anything else! As far as acclimating the plants to more sunlight, I wouldn't worry too much about that. Other than some toasted looking leaves until the plant naturally adjusts to the light increase, the new leaves will be tougher at onset.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

Agreed with Nanaman, Little cavandish are troopers in the cold, but like most bananas, they are not "cool" tolerant.

My bananas will not lose leaves if overnight temps hit 30's. But if the temps stay in the 40's for days on end, the leaves die. Winter 2010 I didn't lose any leaves and we had several nights below freezing. Winter 2011, we had no hard freezing but all my leaves on all my nanners died.

Your nana is not getting too much sun, and I don't think it did at the greehouse because there are no "red mottled spots" which is a common trait of younger sun-exposed leaves. Either way the plant should outgrow most problems once it adjusts to its new environment.

Good luck with your nanna.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

It looks like we're going to be in prime temparatures for growning these nana's. We've had rain and storms for the last week, so they should feel right at home. Thanks again.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

I am having the exact same issue with some of my bananas. I think it is a water/drainage issue.

Re: Leaves browning around the edges
 

I am so glad to tell everyone that the new leaves that are coming out, really really quickly, fully green without any burned spots. It seems that the warmer it gets, the quicker the new leaves are coming out.