Musa Truly Tiny
 

I bought this from a nursery today, but I am kind of worried about it. It looks perfectly healthy on top, but the bottom is dark brown, and I don't know enough about bananas to know if this is rot or not. There were no visible white roots when I went to transplant it -- only brown roots that, when scratched, are white on the inside. I am tempted to return it to the nursery unless you tell me that it looks normal. As I said, it looks fine on top, but perhaps it could be rotting and the top doesn't know it yet? Your help is greatly appreciated.

Re: Musa Truly Tiny
 

If the P stem is not soft it should be OK. Looks like some roots poking out at base of p stem so I'd put more soil in to make it higher. Don't let soil get too wet for awhile - just damp. Otherwise, it's a nice looking plant!

Re: Musa Truly Tiny
 

I think you need to plant it about an inch deeper, yo. I'm pretty sure you want soil up to the line where the stem changes colors (where that little root is coming out in the 2nd pic).

Re: Musa Truly Tiny
 

Definitely needs to go deeper. Roots will come out as high as the base of the bulbous potion above the corm so don't be afraid to plant a little deeper than even that.

Re: Musa Truly Tiny
 

Just want to say - about T Tiny, that mine started out growing very slowly. It was 2 inches in summer of '06 & grew only couple each year till this year. It grew more than twice the size it was in spring this year!!
I think Sandy said she was fed up with the slow growth, but I know it will take off. I potted up 3 times since April.

Re: Musa Truly Tiny
 

Thanks so much, everyone. I was afraid it was rotting! It even looks like it is home for a few soil critters. I'll plant it deeper today.

Re: Musa Truly Tiny
 

Thanks for your help, everyone. I decided to put it in the ground as a border plant, and I planted it as deep as you suggested. It looks much better now.

Re: Musa Truly Tiny
 

Agreed - looks much better.

Re: Musa Truly Tiny
 

Thanks, John! My grandma lives in Staten Island. She just turned 99!