What does wilting leaves mean?

*Dearly Depotted* · 03-23-2021, 11:08 PM

Does anyone happen to know what it means when your banana leaves start to wilt? Is it that the plant is too wet or too dry? Does it mean that the banana plant is dying? All of a sudden 2 of my plants leaves have just started to wilt. I don’t know if it has to do with the gnat trouble I’m having or not. If need be I could add pictures. Any help would be appreciated!

edwmax · 03-24-2021, 01:55 PM

If no disease is involved,the plant is telling you it needs water ( or misting if the pot/gound is not dry) or it is too hot (radiant heat or thermal). ..... Again misting is a good way to cool a hot plant. I have sprinklers for my small banana patch to cool them in the hot afternoon South Georgia sun.

Potted bananas in the house need misting because of the very low humidity which sucks the moisture out of the plant faster than the roots can take up water from the pot.

Gabe15 · 03-24-2021, 02:07 PM

Show a photo, based on your description it could be anywhere from a normal non-issue to a serious problem.

edwmax · 03-24-2021, 03:24 PM

Gabe is right, please post pics of the plants. ... Are these also plagued with the fungus gnats?

My post above is for healthy plants with folding or wilting leaves. The gnats needs moist soil to lay their eggs in. This would indicate the potting soil is too wet and not drying out between watering so root rot may also becoming part of the problem. ... The gnat larvae will attack and feed on the plant corm. .... I don't normally have this problem and had to look this up. See this ref for more info: https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-p...-gnat-control/

*Dearly Depotted* · 03-24-2021, 06:20 PM

Hey! Okay here’s the pictures I promised! Please let me know what you guys think. Now the first 4 pictures are of a red Abyssinian. The next pictures are of a Florida Variegated.

*Dearly Depotted* · 03-24-2021, 06:28 PM

Here’s some more pictures of what looks like adult gnats hanging on the tops of my banana plants.

*Dearly Depotted* · 03-24-2021, 06:31 PM

Yes I had already tried twice to use the peroxide & water treatment. All I noticed that happened was the bugs moved up to the tops of where the cigar leaf comes out of. It was after that I noticed the leaves starting to wilt on 2 of the plants. I’m a little worried that the bugs will kill my poor plants!

edwmax · 03-24-2021, 07:02 PM

It might be possible the gnats are sucking a large amount of water from the plants and/or causing an infection into the pstem from their bites thus causing the wilting.

shake the plants, then spray the area with a flying insect killer (Hot Shot) to kill the adult gnats. You may have to do this several times over a few days. You don't have to spray directly on the plant, just around it. Look for any other area the gnats may fly to and there too. .... No adults ... no more eggs or larvae ....

Are these plants still potted in 100% peat? ... Using a meter, Check the moisture level of the pot in several places (top, middle, bottom & outer edge, mid way between plant & outer edge, & at the corm). ... Is the soil around the corm very wet while the rest of the pot is dry? If so this is a good indication of root rot. The fungus will pull water from the corm while the rest of the pot is dry. I think repotting is then needed. .... If the moisture level is normal, then you need to treat the pot to kill the existing gnat larvae. The larvae is feeding on the plant roots damaging the roots so they can not take up water. Look at the reference posted above for one of the options to kill the soil larvae.

*Dearly Depotted* · 03-24-2021, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwmax

It might be possible the gnats are sucking a large amount of water from the plants and/or causing an infection into the pstem from their bites thus causing the wilting.

shake the plants, then spray the area with a flying insect killer (Hot Shot) to kill the adult gnats. You may have to do this several times over a few days. You don't have to spray directly on the plant, just around it. Look for any other area the gnats may fly to and there too. .... No adults ... no more eggs or larvae ....

Are these plants still potted in 100% peat? ... Using a meter, Check the moisture level of the pot in several places (top, middle, bottom & outer edge, mid way between plant & outer edge, & at the corm). ... Is the soil around the corm very wet while the rest of the pot is dry? If so this is a good indication of root rot. The fungus will pull water from the corm while the rest of the pot is dry. I think repotting is then needed. .... If the moisture level is normal, then you need to treat the pot to kill the existing gnat larvae. The larvae is feeding on the plant roots damaging the roots so they can not take up water. Look at the reference posted above for one of the options to kill the soil larvae.

Hello again! Yes unfortunately they are still in 100% peat moss. Wow! Thanks so much for all the wonderful advice! I’m very impressed with your detailed instructions for me! Yes I will go do that ASAP! I do have to go out and buy lots of stuff! Yes I will be buying potting soil. Man I’ve got a lot to do! By the way I apologize I meant to tell you that I did read that wonderful article you sent me! So thanks for sending me that as well! I truly appreciate your help! As always Max..... YOU’RE THE BEST!

edwmax · 03-25-2021, 07:31 AM

My problem is white flies on the lemon trees, in the garden, and on bananas. I use a carbaryl garden spray or liquid Seven to control these and a number of other garden insects. .... I believe it is also effective against fungus gnats too since they are similar to white flies. ... Very little to none is absorbed by the plant when sprayed on and carbaryl's half-life is 3.7 days. Vegetables and fruit can be eaten 3 days after spraying. ... Malathion could be used too.

For garden use, I mix spray with carbaryl (Seven) and copper sulfate (fungus control) together. ... Copper sulfate listed of organic use.

*Dearly Depotted* · 03-26-2021, 02:34 PM

Guess what?! I just found out the other day that my problem is not gnats after all. I believe it’s an aphid problem! I shook the bananas and the bugs sat tight. No bugs flying around at all either. I did have a look at someone else’s pictures on this site of their aphids on the banana plant and bingo! It looked just like my pictures! Oops! I’m actually quite embarrassed! So I took out 2 bananas and sprayed with the hose to get the yucky bugs off. However, the one was a little worse shape than I thought b/c when the I sprayed it the whole pseudo stem broke right off! So I just cut it all the way down and hope it grows back! The corm still seems rock hard and not mushy at all! Plus I looked for any larvae and didn’t find any in the soil. So what I’m planning on doing now is using dish soap and water to wipe off the bugs. Might need to spray a few more with the hose again. I also bought some neem oil to use as well. Yes I am still going to buy garden soil (good stuff!) and repot them. I also am buying some of the bug spray stuff you mentioned before. I’m being very cautious and have stuff to treat for any kind of bugs. Thanks so much for all the wonderful info and helpful suggestions you gave me! I’m very deeply grateful to you! I’ll let you know how it goes!

03-23-2021, 11:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 646 BananaBucks : 130,963 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 607 Times Was Thanked 443 Times in 302 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	What does wilting leaves mean? Does anyone happen to know what it means when your banana leaves start to wilt? Is it that the plant is too wet or too dry? Does it mean that the banana plant is dying? All of a sudden 2 of my plants leaves have just started to wilt. I don’t know if it has to do with the gnat trouble I’m having or not. If need be I could add pictures. Any help would be appreciated! __________________ It’s long been a dream of mine to be able to grow real bananas off my own plants! So, please wish me luck on my quest to fulfill that dream!

03-24-2021, 01:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 113,409 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,740 Times Was Thanked 4,437 Times in 2,093 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? If no disease is involved,the plant is telling you it needs water ( or misting if the pot/gound is not dry) or it is too hot (radiant heat or thermal). ..... Again misting is a good way to cool a hot plant. I have sprinklers for my small banana patch to cool them in the hot afternoon South Georgia sun. Potted bananas in the house need misting because of the very low humidity which sucks the moisture out of the plant faster than the roots can take up water from the pot. __________________ Last edited by edwmax : 03-24-2021 at 02:54 PM.

03-24-2021, 02:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,494,561 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 8,246 Times in 2,201 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? Show a photo, based on your description it could be anywhere from a normal non-issue to a serious problem. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

03-24-2021, 03:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 113,409 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,740 Times Was Thanked 4,437 Times in 2,093 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? Gabe is right, please post pics of the plants. ... Are these also plagued with the fungus gnats? My post above is for healthy plants with folding or wilting leaves. The gnats needs moist soil to lay their eggs in. This would indicate the potting soil is too wet and not drying out between watering so root rot may also becoming part of the problem. ... The gnat larvae will attack and feed on the plant corm. .... I don't normally have this problem and had to look this up. See this ref for more info: https://www.planetnatural.com/pest-p...-gnat-control/ __________________

03-24-2021, 06:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 646 BananaBucks : 130,963 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 607 Times Was Thanked 443 Times in 302 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? Hey! Okay here’s the pictures I promised! Please let me know what you guys think. Now the first 4 pictures are of a red Abyssinian. The next pictures are of a Florida Variegated. __________________ It’s long been a dream of mine to be able to grow real bananas off my own plants! So, please wish me luck on my quest to fulfill that dream!

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03-24-2021, 06:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 646 BananaBucks : 130,963 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 607 Times Was Thanked 443 Times in 302 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? Here’s some more pictures of what looks like adult gnats hanging on the tops of my banana plants. __________________ It’s long been a dream of mine to be able to grow real bananas off my own plants! So, please wish me luck on my quest to fulfill that dream!

03-24-2021, 06:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 646 BananaBucks : 130,963 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 607 Times Was Thanked 443 Times in 302 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? Yes I had already tried twice to use the peroxide & water treatment. All I noticed that happened was the bugs moved up to the tops of where the cigar leaf comes out of. It was after that I noticed the leaves starting to wilt on 2 of the plants. I’m a little worried that the bugs will kill my poor plants! __________________ It’s long been a dream of mine to be able to grow real bananas off my own plants! So, please wish me luck on my quest to fulfill that dream!

03-24-2021, 07:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 113,409 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,740 Times Was Thanked 4,437 Times in 2,093 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? It might be possible the gnats are sucking a large amount of water from the plants and/or causing an infection into the pstem from their bites thus causing the wilting. shake the plants, then spray the area with a flying insect killer (Hot Shot) to kill the adult gnats. You may have to do this several times over a few days. You don't have to spray directly on the plant, just around it. Look for any other area the gnats may fly to and there too. .... No adults ... no more eggs or larvae .... Are these plants still potted in 100% peat? ... Using a meter, Check the moisture level of the pot in several places (top, middle, bottom & outer edge, mid way between plant & outer edge, & at the corm). ... Is the soil around the corm very wet while the rest of the pot is dry? If so this is a good indication of root rot. The fungus will pull water from the corm while the rest of the pot is dry. I think repotting is then needed. .... If the moisture level is normal, then you need to treat the pot to kill the existing gnat larvae. The larvae is feeding on the plant roots damaging the roots so they can not take up water. Look at the reference posted above for one of the options to kill the soil larvae. __________________

03-25-2021, 07:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
edwmax Location: Cairo, Ga Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 2,891 BananaBucks : 113,409 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 1,740 Times Was Thanked 4,437 Times in 2,093 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 414 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? My problem is white flies on the lemon trees, in the garden, and on bananas. I use a carbaryl garden spray or liquid Seven to control these and a number of other garden insects. .... I believe it is also effective against fungus gnats too since they are similar to white flies. ... Very little to none is absorbed by the plant when sprayed on and carbaryl's half-life is 3.7 days. Vegetables and fruit can be eaten 3 days after spraying. ... Malathion could be used too. For garden use, I mix spray with carbaryl (Seven) and copper sulfate (fungus control) together. ... Copper sulfate listed of organic use. __________________ Last edited by edwmax : 03-25-2021 at 10:01 AM.

03-26-2021, 02:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 646 BananaBucks : 130,963 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 607 Times Was Thanked 443 Times in 302 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: What does wilting leaves mean? Guess what?! I just found out the other day that my problem is not gnats after all. I believe it’s an aphid problem! I shook the bananas and the bugs sat tight. No bugs flying around at all either. I did have a look at someone else’s pictures on this site of their aphids on the banana plant and bingo! It looked just like my pictures! Oops! I’m actually quite embarrassed! So I took out 2 bananas and sprayed with the hose to get the yucky bugs off. However, the one was a little worse shape than I thought b/c when the I sprayed it the whole pseudo stem broke right off! So I just cut it all the way down and hope it grows back! The corm still seems rock hard and not mushy at all! Plus I looked for any larvae and didn’t find any in the soil. So what I’m planning on doing now is using dish soap and water to wipe off the bugs. Might need to spray a few more with the hose again. I also bought some neem oil to use as well. Yes I am still going to buy garden soil (good stuff!) and repot them. I also am buying some of the bug spray stuff you mentioned before. I’m being very cautious and have stuff to treat for any kind of bugs. Thanks so much for all the wonderful info and helpful suggestions you gave me! I’m very deeply grateful to you! I’ll let you know how it goes! __________________ It’s long been a dream of mine to be able to grow real bananas off my own plants! So, please wish me luck on my quest to fulfill that dream!

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