Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

Hello folks,

The weather was nice for the past few days here in Ontario Canada, so I decided to put my Basjoos outside for a couple of hours.

When I decided to bring them in, they started drooping, even the newly opened leaf drooped.

I thought bananas liked sunshine? They seem to be doing alright now and perking up again. When it comes to placing them in the ground, what should I take into consideration?

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

they have to be acclamated to outside conditions before you put them in the sun. set them in a shady spot for a week or two, then sowly move them to the sunshine. i did this and my basjoos still have some sunburn, but not as bad as it could have been. i put 3 d.o. right out into the sun( sort of an experiment) and no leaf burn. i guess( my opinion) the more cold hardy they are the more they are apt to get sunburn. maybe im wrong, but it what it looks like to me. just my 2 cents.

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

You know, there's a saying when putting winterized bananas in the spring sun:

"First your leaves will fold, then the next ones popping out will stand up erect and bold!!"

It's not the worlds' best saying, but it certainly seems to fit today! I have the same thing happen to me, but the next set of leaves coming out is adapted for outside conditions.

:doggyandnaner:

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

i have here the same with my ensete ventricosum seedlings ;0

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

It seems to be coming around now, but I still need to know if basjoos prefer full sun or shade, as the spot I have in mind for the musa gets afternoon sun

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

I have mine in all but about the last 3 hours of the day in full sun here in SE TN. Give them as much sun as you can and water the "dickens" out of them... Just make sure you acclimate them when they go out for good. Best of luck...

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

Mine did the same thing when I put them out.

Dean

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

Thanks fellas! I came across the info below, how true does this hold?


"Problem Solving: Banana plants are tough fast growing plants that survive well indoors or out, most problems are due to under watering. Drooping leaves - is the first sign of underwatering and can be remedied with an immediate and thorough soaking. Brown tips to leaves - are usually the result of either scorching or extreme cold. Remove any marked leaves from the bottom of the plant, to help encourage new growth from the top and try to protect your plant from extremes of temperature. Split leaves - are the result of constant movement, either being brushed by passers by or buffeted by strong wind. Split leaves will not damage the plant but can look untidy so try to keep your plant away from main thoroughfares. Yellowing bottom leaves - over time the older leaves will start to wither away and turn yellow from the bottom, this is a natural process and nothing to worry about. Remove these to allow new growth to form from the centre. "


Perhaps I should just keep them in pots, instead of planting them in the ground? I have seen some potted ones on here do so well and get tall

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

if you want to keep them in pots you need to give them lots of water and fertilize and they will only get tall when you put them in a large pot .

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

That may be true for outdoor banana plants, but I think that keeping bananas indoors is actually quite a challenge, depending on the size of the plant. And if you are keeping the plants indoors, the most problems there come from overwatering (at least in my experience!).

You can't just place a plant out into the direct sun after months (or even weeks) inside. They need to be acclimated.

Re: Musa Basjoo Drooped in the Sun
 

I know that, hence the reason I have been placing the musa outside each evening after I get back from work.