thebigrlebowski

Hello all, I'm in Zone 8A North Texas and have 8 blue java's that I planted this spring. They've been growing great until recently with this heat wave. I water for 45 minutes twice a week with a soaker hose and fertilize with 10-10-10 every 2 weeks and micro life every couple months. Recently it seems like the west side of leaves have been browning and drying out and new leaves are coming out damaged before they even open. Also noticed some pups have some rot on new leaves and coming out a little odd as well. Also noticed possible pests but not sure what they are. The main issues are with this strip of 4 plants that run east-west and get all the sun throughout the day. I have 4 others that run North-South that seem to be doing better but just growing slower. This bunch receives much more shade though and the soil around them stays moist at the surface between watering whereas the east-west bunch dries out to maybe an inch or so deep.

Please see pics at this link https://imgur.com/a/x2WfY1m. There's 12 pics showing the issues and I can get more if anyone wants better looks at something.

Yes, I know mulch would be better than river rock but it was a losing battle with the wife unfortunately...

Janelle525

It kinda looks like too much nitrogen to me. It can cause twisted looking damaged new leaves.

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Super Dwarf Cavendish, Tall Namwah, Goldfinger, Praying Hands, Raja Pisang, Manzano.

Akula

It looks to me like newly opened, soft leaf tissue is getting sunburned in the high heat. The downside of fast growth (due to fertilizer) is that it makes the iniital leaf more vulnerable to sun damage. Maybe reduce the fertilizer application to once per month.

Brown leaves in most cases, especially for potted plants, is due to overwatering and soggy soil but I find it hard to believe that is your problem with the June heat wave.

cincinnana

For me high temps and lack of moisture will cause the plant to fold and discolor along the midrib.
It will also cause the petioles to pull away from the stem similar to the plant in the pic.
Adding fertilizer and not adequate water will cause the leaf burn.

Your plants are being severely baked under the stone mulch.
The stones hold an incredible amount of residual heat throughout the night also, adding to the heat onslaught.
Pick up a rock and hold it to your cheek to experience the heat at peak temps.

Proximity to the dark heat absorbing wood fence adds to the heat.

Do a temperature reading with a cooking thermometer at peak temp......my guess 128+ degrees.

I see this often with plants that are kept on decks, concrete or asphalt surfaces.
Concrete island plantings in parking lots are the worse

Your plants are definately between a rock and a hard spot

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Janelle525

I agree with what was said about the heat and the rocks. Bananas come from tropical areas that are rich in organic materials with moist soil. I've been trying to mimick this by dumping yard waste, and scraps from the kitchen, and chopping up bananas to put around the clump. With our rainy season this all quickly turns into rich soil full of moisture holding capacity. These photos are taken at 1pm when it is 91 degrees. I try to minimize synthetic fertilizer which I noticed causes aphids. Aphids can't suck the juices out of the leaves when they are full of sugars (high brix), and that can only happen by minimizing synthetic nitrogen, instead using natural fertilizer with organic matter.

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Super Dwarf Cavendish, Tall Namwah, Goldfinger, Praying Hands, Raja Pisang, Manzano.

thebigrlebowski

I know it will vary, but about how fast should new banana leaves grow? My taller ones put out an entire leaf every week.

Akula

One per week is considered an excellent growth rate for healthy leaves. Much faster than that and the twisty leaves start.