dwarf ducasse black stuff on leaves
 

Hi, can anyone help me identify this disease please? It is on a new leaf, mostly top surface, of a dwarf ducasse banana.

Re: dwarf ducasse black stuff on leaves
 

It's not a disease but is an insect infestation. You will probably need to use some type of spray multiple times over at least a couple of weeks. I hate insecticides so do not know what to recommend but if no one else answers on what to use then your local or state Agriculture Department can tell you. Or you could just get a broad spectrum insecticide. For myself I would use a natural product. I have never had to spray my banana plants so I again do not know what to tell you to use but the internet should be able to help. If your damage is severe and you do not have much growing season left you could just chop it down and bag and take away the plant so the bugs are gone for next year.. No leaves mean nothing for the pests to eat.

Re: dwarf ducasse black stuff on leaves
 

Thanks. I might try Baygon.

Any idea what the black residue is?

Re: dwarf ducasse black stuff on leaves
 

Probably sooty mold, feeding off the sugary residue the bugs excrete when feeding. Deal with the bugs and the mold should hopefully resolve itself over time.

https://www.myselectlawn.com/blog/ho...ve-sooty-mold/

Re: dwarf ducasse black stuff on leaves
 

Looks as if you sprayed the plant already......I see lots of bodies. :)

Re: dwarf ducasse black stuff on leaves
 

Its a little hard to tell due to the size of the pic files, can't really get an overall perspective. However, the first thing I would usually do in a situation like that would be to mix a bit of oil (just a little bit) and soap in my hose end sprayer and give the plant (and bugs) and good hosing down.

That usually eliminates the acute issue, doesn't necessarily mean they won't come back.

One word of caution: Don't leave the soap oil mixture on the leaves in the sun, it can cause burning. I would do the application in the evening and wash it off in the morning.

Re: dwarf ducasse black stuff on leaves
 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I haven't done anything yet. No idea what all those insect carcasses are. There is an almost ripe bunch of bananas on the adjacent tree that I don't want to get any poison on. I was going to wait until I pick that, but I can try doofus' suggestion today.

Re: dwarf ducasse black stuff on leaves
 

When you wash off in the morning I would, with a clean sprayer, add just a bit of soap to the water to break up any oil, spray it, then remove the sprayer and hose it down with plain water.