TommyP

Hi Guys

I have come to this site for information over the past year to get information on growing my bananas but one seemed to be dying back so I decided it was time to join the community. I cut the rot away and the inner leaves kept drying out and dying down until (perhaps hastily) I cut the whole top off.

It is a must basjoo and had only grown to around 2 feet before issues really started - although it only seemed to be able to sustain around 3 or 4 leaves at any one time and the stem was only about 10-12mm in diameter.

Attached is a photo of where this one is at now, I have it indoors in a pot (potting soil mixed with perlite and a little left over cactus compost). The roots didn't look great when I moved it to a pot to bring it - no rot just not a picture of health.

If anyone has any advice it would be most appreciated, I fear this one may be lost.

Thanks!

Gabe15

Did you dig this plant up from the ground and pot it up, or had it been growing in this pot for awhile, or potted up from a smaller container?

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

TommyP

It had been in a much larger pot, but that pot has a crack down one side so I couldn't move it. The root ball was pretty small so I have stuck it in a small pot for ease inside

edwmax

Where are you located? What is the winter weather like?

You don't give us much to go on without picture of the plant before it died back. When you repotted, did the corm have any viable white roots? I think not from the photo. Also, the saucer appears to have water in it. The potting soil is way too wet.

I think you now have a root rot/fungus infection. This may or may not have been the cause of the died back. Fungus will actually pull water from the corm, for its survival, causing the soil around the root to be wet.

1) Clean and disinfect the corm with a strong bleach-water solution. Spray and let soak for a minute or two, then rinse with clear water. Repeat several times. Clean and disinfect the pot before reusing. ... Side note: this is the recommended practice when transplanting corms/plants from one field to another to prevent spreading banana diseases and infections. Dipping the corm in boiling water is another method.

2) Repot. If there are any viable white roots use a 50/50 mixture of sterile potting soil and perlite. If there are no roots, then pot in course sand.

3) Add about 1/2 cup of water the potting soil. You only want the soil to be damp and let it nearly dry out before adding more. If you potted with sand, the excess water will drain out. .... Get a moisture meter! You can not tell how wet the soil in middle of the pot from feeling the top.

4) It will take weeks before (if???) the corm will heal and show any new growth. During this time without roots or very few roots, there will be very little water uptake. Only keep the soil moist, and increase water as needed for new growth. ... Good Luck! ...If this one was a dear friend, then pray.

Now, Bananas don't like being alone. Get another plant. Better, get two ... three will be a banana party!

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