Fusarium wilt ("Panama Disease")?
 

Has anyone growing in the U.S. experienced Panama Disease on their plants?

A yr ago we moved from Baton Rouge to the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, Last spring, planted out a 'Namwah' which had languished in a pot for over a yr. It did fine at first, but last few wks began to lose its lower leaves one by one. First they yellow, then wilt and die. Otherwise, it seems normal, if a bit pale, at least compared to my gorgeous monster 'Orinoco' mat we moved off and left. (Still sad about that)

We are a few miles below I-10 on a bayou on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. Lime-rich, quite sandy soil. Elevation 6' above sea level---so it's not soggy/boggy.

The spot I put it is pretty sunny. Perhaps too sunny. Up against corner of an elevated house , SW exposure. I'm not used to growing in this much sun, actually. 25 yrs of a mostly shady/filtered shade yard.

I might also have let it get a bit dry once the hot weather set in. Fertilized it with half-strength Osmocote (formulated for orchids) when planted--- but careful not to overdo. Or so I thought.

Will post a pic when I figure out how.

Never had a problem with bananas before....just figured it would be like our old place in Baton Rouge and the main issue would be containing and controlling it..... :)

Just hope it's not Panama Disease, because that means I won't be able to put another banana in its place if it dies. (Among other bad things for others growing bananas, of course)

Thanks so much

M. Davey
Lacombe, LA

Re: Fusarium wilt ("Panama Disease")?
 

The weather has been hot and unusually dry. No rain for a month and solidly in the 90's. It has effected all my plants. Probably the same in your area. Water bill is going to be a killer this month!

Pics of the plant help tremendously.

Re: Fusarium wilt ("Panama Disease")?
 

Here are 2 pics taken yesterday, before I trimmed it up.

Watered it day before yesterday, (we've been gone 3 wks), and gave it another good watering this morning. It has now perked up some, albeit still a bit pale compared to my old monster 'Orinoco'. Of course everything looks pale and small compared to it...

It would be great news if the trouble is that it's just gotten a little dry and hot. I could mulch that root zone a bit more if y'all think that would help.

M Davey
Lacombe, LA

P.S.: I got the pics "successfully uploaded" but they seem to have disappeared to unknown parts. Just...not very good at sending pics to internet sites....

Re: Fusarium wilt ("Panama Disease")?
 

Never could get the pics up, but since then, have watered and even misted the plant every few days. Trimmed off all the lower yellow leaves. It's been over 2 weeks and no more leaves have yellowed, folded down, bent at the mid-rib, and gone brown. It seems happier, for sure.

I'm hoping it was just the drought and heat.

Keeping fingers crossed!

MiriamDavey

Lacombe, LA