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Banana Plant Health And Maintenance Topics This forum is for discussions of banana plant health topics such as coloration issues, burning, insects, pruning, transplanting, separating pups, viruses, disease, and other general banana plant health and maintenance issues.


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Old 07-19-2021, 12:41 PM   #1 (permalink)
 
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Default Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Hello,

I was trying to find answer to my issue in the forum, but I am afraid it's not there.

My Musa banana trees (four stems) are getting brown and I am looking for the reason.

I live in the Zone 11a (Malta, EU) the plants are on the terrace on the top floor of the building (4th floor) with direct sun exposure for over 12-14 hours a day.

Tried to get it more in the shade, but still - it's only 3-5 hours less direct sun.
The plants are growing new offsprings every 5-7 days, I water it with approx 2 litres a day and fertilize once in 45 days.

Still it doesn't look good anymore... Please help!









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Old 07-19-2021, 01:08 PM   #2 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

It looks like the roots have out grown the pot. Once that occurs, it's gets harder to keep moisture levels even. Its going through feast and famine with the water. I would upsize the pot, and use fresh soil. I also see multiple pups in there, which will further the water problem. You might want to consider removing a pup and give it its own pot.
Since it gets so much sun and heat, you want to get it some shade, or find a way to shade the pot. You want to try and keep the pot cool if possible.
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Old 07-19-2021, 01:17 PM   #3 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Looks like a nutrient deficiency. Its usually potassium (K) but that kinda looks like phosphorus (P). Your plants may have sucked out all the fertilizer from the pot. Check your fertilizer and feeding program. What's good for one is not enough for four or more.
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Old 07-19-2021, 01:37 PM   #4 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronTT View Post
I would upsize the pot, and use fresh soil.
Sounds like a wise advice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AaronTT View Post
Since it gets so much sun and heat, you want to get it some shade, or find a way to shade the pot. You want to try and keep the pot cool if possible.
It has a proper bark mulching with some dried leaves as well. I keep the soil covered all time.

Quote:
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You might want to consider removing a pup and give it its own pot.
Yes, I was considering to put every single plant (4 in total) its own pot. Is that what you meant?

Thank you very much for you valuable feedback Aaron!!!

Last edited by lubay : 07-19-2021 at 01:41 PM.
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Old 07-19-2021, 01:40 PM   #5 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

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Looks like a nutrient deficiency. Its usually potassium (K) but that kinda looks like phosphorus (P). Your plants may have sucked out all the fertilizer from the pot. Check your fertilizer and feeding program. What's good for one is not enough for four or more.
I am using this one:
Miracle-GroŽ Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
https://www.miraclegro.com/en-us/pro...ose-plant-food

I hope it's proper fertilizer.

I will definitely repot all 4 plants into separate pots asap and give them fresh soil. If you can suggest any fertilizer (hopefully I can get here on my tiny island) I will be grateful.

Thank you very very much, Akula!!!

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Old 07-19-2021, 01:49 PM   #6 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Info:Fertilizer - Bananas Wiki
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Old 07-19-2021, 04:18 PM   #7 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

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Sounds like a wise advice.



It has a proper bark mulching with some dried leaves as well. I keep the soil covered all time.



Yes, I was considering to put every single plant (4 in total) its own pot. Is that what you meant?

Thank you very much for you valuable feedback Aaron!!!
Your welcome!
Although the mulch is good, because your growing in pots that are exposed to the sun, it tends to bake the pot. Mulch works wonders, but mainly for in ground plants. The surrounding soil helps insulate the roots. Pots exposed to the sun and heat lack that benefit. If you had a shorter object that casts a shadow over the entire pot, that will make a big difference.
Repoting them each should help too.
Akula is right that the plants look deficient. That is the symptom of the problem though. The best soil, if consumed fully will cause the roots to become more denser per square inch. That causes the deficiency, as there is not enough space for the roots to breathe, and take in water and nutrients effectively.
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Old 07-19-2021, 06:06 PM   #8 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Touch the surface area with your hand in the place that your pot is during the hottest part of the day if it is too hot for your hand or barefoot it is transferring that heat to the roots and maybe cooking them.
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Old 07-19-2021, 10:54 PM   #9 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

One thing I do, which may be a bit more difficult/expensive with larger pots, is to double them up - this creates an air space between the outer, heated pot and the actual pot the plant is in which keeps the roots quite cool relatively.



The other thing I do is to wrap the pot in something insulating. On this pot I used an old feed bag, not very aesthetic, but it does the trick and I am sure nicer looking materials can be found



Also, pots made of insulating materials help as well, i.e. wood, ceramic, etc. and the closer to white the pot color is, the cooler the roots.
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Old 07-20-2021, 08:02 AM   #10 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

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Touch the surface area with your hand in the place that your pot is during the hottest part of the day if it is too hot for your hand or barefoot it is transferring that heat to the roots and maybe cooking them.
Thanks for this hint. Fortunately, this not the case, the soil is not getting hot (but nearing the pot on a terracota tiles does burning my feet
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Old 07-20-2021, 08:05 AM   #11 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

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Originally Posted by sirdoofus View Post
One thing I do, which may be a bit more difficult/expensive with larger pots, is to double them up
Good idea!

Quote:
Originally Posted by sirdoofus View Post
Also, pots made of insulating materials help as well, i.e. wood, ceramic, etc. and the closer to white the pot color is, the cooler the roots.
I am going to check out my options this Saturday at the big garden shop. Thank you for your hints.
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Old 08-01-2021, 02:17 PM   #12 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Thanks once again to all you guys, sharing tips & hints.

Re-potting mission has been carried out today in the morning (Sunday, 6am) and my 4-ply banana plants have been separated into 4 individual pots, filled with fresh soil (peat + nutrients worth 4 weeks of fertilising).

I know this was a dance-macabre for the plants today, but I hope they will recover soon. Fingers crossed.

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Old 08-10-2021, 08:52 AM   #13 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Dear Banana Friends,

Thanks to your valuable suggestions, ideas and recommendations my plants are recovering well after re-potting mission.

First of all, the new leaves are free from any discolourations - which is a sign of proper watering/feeding, I guess.

Still waiting on development of two suckers, which are in lesser shape. No sign of new leaves yet...



Thank you!
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Old 08-12-2021, 12:00 PM   #14 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

I need another advice, as my plants are not looking well after re-potting. Two of them produced new leaves recently, whereas one of them is already broken because of winds two days ago (second one seems to be well).

Shall I cut the dead leaves? Or even cut the stems below them? What would you suggest?

New leaf, but already broken:


New leaf, but already broken:





Last edited by lubay : 08-12-2021 at 12:17 PM.
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Old 08-14-2021, 06:00 AM   #15 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Day 15 after repotting - after cutting broken leaves within 2 days I spotted new leaves growing on the weakest plant (The Sucker) and also on the one that was victimised by recent desert breeze (showed in my post above).






Seems like they have a potential, but my question remains the same - shall i cut the dead-brown leaves or not?

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Old 08-14-2021, 04:37 PM   #16 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

Quote:
Originally Posted by lubay View Post
I need another advice, as my plants are not looking well after re-potting. Two of them produced new leaves recently, whereas one of them is already broken because of winds two days ago (second one seems to be well).

Shall I cut the dead leaves? Or even cut the stems below them? What would you suggest?]
Anything green is producing energy for the plant's growth and also pulling water from the potting medium (the more green mass, the more water you have to give it), anything brown and crispy is not. If you cut the green off, you are reducing the plant's resources but possibly saving water/watering frequency, if you cut off the brown crispy, you are removing dead material. Everyone has their own aesthetic tolerances, but it does, I think, depend on your goals....are you planning on trying to get fruit, or are they ornamentals?

For myself (and I really only grown bananas as ornamentals), I usually leave the less than beautiful stuff on the plant until it is about the height/size I am happy with, then I will be a little more liberal with removal of the ugly stuff
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Old 08-14-2021, 04:50 PM   #17 (permalink)
 
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Default Re: Brown leaves reasons? Zone 11a (Malta, EU)

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For myself (and I really only grown bananas as ornamentals), I usually leave the less than beautiful stuff on the plant until it is about the height/size I am happy with, then I will be a little more liberal with removal of the ugly stuff
Well said. Totally agree. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and experience.

My plants are Musa type, so I don't expect a lot of organic magnesium supply for my daily diet (i will try Cavendishes next when I master these guys first)

The current goal is to grow four nice plants with big leaves to get shade at my terrace and enjoy their view, nothing more ambitious. But I would love to help them grow properly and healthy.

There are a lot of banana plants growing nicely in the ground around houses down here on our Island, but in my case - living on the last floor the only option remains - potting... I can see gigantic plants from my terrace growing around my neighbourhood... but in the ground not pots...

We'll see. Today I gave them more sun, as the heatwave passed away.

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