miaella

Thanks for the help guys! The main stem is certainly gone--rot all the way down to the the soil line. However, the pup is growing nicely and is already working on leaf #3.

Now for my new question...The Ladyfinger hasn't grown an inch (but isn't rotting/withering away either). It looks exactly like it did in the photo above from my earlier post, except that it was repotted to the correct height. Any thoughts on what's happening with this pup? Should I get a bigger pot for it?

Thanks

Taylor

Miaella,
Im not sure really, but I think it might be working on its root system. What I do sometimes is just tug on it a little, and if it pulls right up, you have a problem. If it stays, its rooted and I forget worries because I know that it is at least taking in something even if it isn't putting out anything.

BTW, I have had my stuff rot a few times. Its sad to just watch it go. It happens sometimes when people take a pup that has barely any roots, and they cut the stem to only about 3-4 inches and send it to you. Luckily miaella, they tend to pup, likes yours did, when this happens. (2 Velutinas, 1 Ornata, an Ice Cream, and Basjoo) The Basjoo and Ice Cream never returned, but people here are so nice, they send you a replacement. Its not their fault or yours, its kindof Chance VS Conditions. Too Wet Too Dry vs Small Corm No Roots

Etc.

Taylor

miaella

Gave the Ladyfinger a tug and it seems pretty solid. I just wish it would start growing--but at least I can watch the Ice Cream grow for now

MediaHound

Compost all your kitchen scraps from now on if your not doing that, make a nice mash out of it, in batches, and use that to fertilize your bananas. They'll shoot up like rockets.
Anyway, the good news is that you'll look back at whats happening now in a year or two when you have a ton of huge plants and remember how frustrating it was waiting for it to pick up steam.

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miaella

I decided to re-pot the Ladyfinger after over a month of no growth/rotting. Partly because I felt it needed a bigger pot and partly because I wanted to double check its root growth.

Unfortunately, I was correct in my guess that there was rot happening below the surface. Although the original roots were still intact and doing ok, no new root growth was to be found. I think the oddly shaped hollowish corm was causing the rot...

The plant itself is somewhat "J" shaped and the center part of the corm was hollow when I first potted it. Anyhow, I am guessing that this hollow "J" shape was the culprit to the rot, catching and holding water and causing rot when it wouldn't have happened otherwise.

I removed what I could of the rot and am hoping for some nice new growth in the near future!!

I'll post new pics of the plants tomorrow.

Ladyfinger:


Ice Cream:

miaella

Well, it's a sad day in banana land... the Ice Cream that was doing well ended up dying of rot

The good news is that the Ladyfinger has recovered and has three nice leaves on it. It's been moved indoors now and will spend the winter under a grow light to hopefully allow it to grow stronger roots.

I've also started to grow some pineapples seeing as how they are cheap to grow. The only bad thing about them is that it takes sooooooooo long for them to fruit!

momoese

The other bad thing is how large they get! They can grow to about 4 feet across.

MediaHound

PM sent so we can remedy the situation! Don't feel bad, you get a new one!

__________________
Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

miaella

Thanks Mediahound!! I can look forward again to eating one of the more tastier bananas.