New leaf breaks at bottom - Why?

Darkman · 07-08-2011, 08:51 PM

I have had several new leaves break at the bottom. I read that this happens after watering and I guess with some wind. Is this true? Why didn't the leaves shred instead of breaking? There was a post in the health and maintenance forum but it isn't getting any answers.

Any thoughts?

venturabananas · 07-08-2011, 11:08 PM

Have you been "pushing" them with lots of fertilizer and water? I've been having a similar problem caused by that, where the leaves come out really soft and not very green. I managed to snap one off at the base without doing much to it, but none have snapped off without me doing something dumb. In my case, I think the ultimate problem is a micronutrient deficiency that is caused by growth that is too rapid from lots of nitrogen and inability of the micronutrients (e.g., calcium and boron probably) to be transported into the new tissues fast enough to keep up with new growth. Don't know if this has anything to do with your problem!

ArchAngeL01 · 07-09-2011, 03:29 PM

If you are growing them in partial to full shade this can make the leaves weaker and thus break in the slightest breeze or watering.
I recommend that you move them into a full sun location so that the leaves grow robust and strong.

pitangadiego · 07-09-2011, 09:43 PM

The important question is this: are they breaking or just folding? Even when they fold and hang down, if they are still green they are still useful to the plant, providing energy.

Darkman · 07-09-2011, 10:38 PM

Fold I guess is a more correct term. They do not die and remain green. The shade varies but they are mostly full sun with some afternoon and early morning shade. Fertilized with 10-10-10. Watered almost every day. Leaf color is deep green and they are full size leaves. There is a very heavy mulch of oak tree leaves and pine straw that is 8" - 10" thick. The original pups were planted in pine bark mulc compost. Each plant was planted in a hole full of the compost. The holes were about four foot wide and 18" deep. The whole area is pesticide free and highly organic (full of earthworms). It is regularly weeded and the bananas are abour 8' apart. Should be banana heaven.

07-08-2011, 08:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 204,490 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	New leaf breaks at bottom - Why? I have had several new leaves break at the bottom. I read that this happens after watering and I guess with some wind. Is this true? Why didn't the leaves shred instead of breaking? There was a post in the health and maintenance forum but it isn't getting any answers. Any thoughts? __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

07-08-2011, 11:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
venturabananas venturabananas's Photo Gallery Location: Ventura, CA Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Mark Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,845 BananaBucks : 238,859 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,752 Times Was Thanked 3,968 Times in 1,713 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 39 Times	Re: New leaf breaks at bottom - Why? Have you been "pushing" them with lots of fertilizer and water? I've been having a similar problem caused by that, where the leaves come out really soft and not very green. I managed to snap one off at the base without doing much to it, but none have snapped off without me doing something dumb. In my case, I think the ultimate problem is a micronutrient deficiency that is caused by growth that is too rapid from lots of nitrogen and inability of the micronutrients (e.g., calcium and boron probably) to be transported into the new tissues fast enough to keep up with new growth. Don't know if this has anything to do with your problem! __________________

07-09-2011, 03:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
ArchAngeL01 ArchAngeL01's Photo Gallery Location: Greenville, SC Zone: 8A Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 849 BananaBucks : 142,538 Feedback: 4 / 83% Said "Thanks" 104 Times Was Thanked 433 Times in 165 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: New leaf breaks at bottom - Why? If you are growing them in partial to full shade this can make the leaves weaker and thus break in the slightest breeze or watering. I recommend that you move them into a full sun location so that the leaves grow robust and strong. __________________ Brad

07-09-2011, 09:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
pitangadiego Senior Member Location: San Diego, CA Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,481 BananaBucks : 129,541 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 2,706 Times in 923 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: New leaf breaks at bottom - Why? The important question is this: are they breaking or just folding? Even when they fold and hang down, if they are still green they are still useful to the plant, providing energy. __________________ Encanto Farms Nursery http://encantofarms.com We Be Bananas http://webebananas.com

07-09-2011, 10:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,249 BananaBucks : 204,490 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,263 Times Was Thanked 1,582 Times in 702 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 243 Times	Re: New leaf breaks at bottom - Why? Fold I guess is a more correct term. They do not die and remain green. The shade varies but they are mostly full sun with some afternoon and early morning shade. Fertilized with 10-10-10. Watered almost every day. Leaf color is deep green and they are full size leaves. There is a very heavy mulch of oak tree leaves and pine straw that is 8" - 10" thick. The original pups were planted in pine bark mulc compost. Each plant was planted in a hole full of the compost. The holes were about four foot wide and 18" deep. The whole area is pesticide free and highly organic (full of earthworms). It is regularly weeded and the bananas are abour 8' apart. Should be banana heaven. __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

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