Psuedostem rotten
 

My Ice Cream Banana pseudostem or meristem (part in the center) is rotten it has turned black and smells of fish. I thought I might ask here before I get a picture of it.

It came as a cut corm. As it began to grow it turned darker in color and now nothing. The out side of the stem is still green. Is it a lost cause?:eek:

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

I used a sharp knife and cut off several pieces hoping to get to a green part. Here is a picture.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

it's probably a lost cause unless it has some buds on the side of the corm that are big enough to develop into pups. So don't give up yet if it was a large corm.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

This is exactly the same case as mine. The pseudostem is green and solid, but
the center is dead black. As the corm was still alive, suckers came back.
I just don't know the reason why.
Anybody knows it?

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

Okay, I'll keep it for now and hopefully it will sucker.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

Was the ground kept really wet?

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

It's in a pot. I've been having to water nearly everyday due to 100* weather.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

Absolutely, positively plant it and give it a chance to pup. No banana is a lost cause until it is a dry, empty hole in the ground.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

I'll do that!:)

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

Amen, Never give up !!!!!!!!!!!! Nanners are most resiliant and forgiving! Best wishes :)

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

I had one do that and it pulled through fine. Just took a while.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

I was guessing that it suffered from root rot. This may be the case if the soil did not dry out between watering.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

I'll check out the roots when I plant it.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

I agree with Pitangadiego..get that baby in the ground (well drained soil) ASAP..you say you watered daily?? That is way too much...water in when you receive and every 2 to 3 days thereafter...depending on conditions...I have left corms in a pile and the pseudostem totally wilted away and pups start coming out the sides (without soil or water..other than trace amounts from rainfall).

Good luck!!

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

I've reduced watering and will get it in the ground today.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

Remember to not plant too deep...I would leave the top half of the corm exposed.....well drained soil.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

Okay, I won't plant to deep. What is the ideal depth for holes to be dug, Chris? I have some other bananas I need to plant too. We have rocky clay soil here and it's a pain to dig in. I plan on removing the rocky clay soil and filling the hole with rich potting soil and compost.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

Sandy soil is good...FL soil is so sandy you would not believe it. I do not enrich the soil until the plants start kicking....Rocky soil should drain...be careful with clay (ask the Californians on the board about clay soil).

When I plant a new corm I did a big crater (looks like a little bomb hit)..I make sure the soil is "well drained"...as the banana starts to really grow "then" I start to add organic matter (not before extensive growth)...Before extensive growth starts I will add compost tea (when I water)...The crater allows for enriched soil on large mattes...check out the picks I am posting today.

Keep us posted.

Just how I do it..I am sure other members have success with other methods.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

Thanks, I'll keep everyone posted. I'll start a new thread about rocky, clay soil. I also look forward to your pics.

Re: Psuedostem rotten
 

careful with clay if you dig out clay and put soil in you will creat a pond for water to fill up and no where to drain, leave the clay alone and build up the soil on top, that way the water can escape the soil out the sides....