Manzano banana fruit not developing properly

Scott Craft · 06-07-2013, 12:58 PM

I have a couple groupings of Manzano bananas that have produced very good fruit for the past few years (the plants are about 5 years old). Now, I have 4 bunches on the two different groups and all of them are producing fruit that is not developing properly. The growth of the individual bananas is stunted, never exceeding roughly a thumbs width in size. Length appears roughly normal; it's just the diameter of the fruit that's off. In past years I've fertilized them with Miracle Grow on a hose sprayer along with all the other plants I have growing nearby. I've done that a couple times this year also but I'm mainly using an 8-10-8 fertilizer now which I apply about once a month. They also get plenty of water from a drip irrigation system daily. Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

Nicolas Naranja · 06-07-2013, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Craft

I have a couple groupings of Manzano bananas that have produced very good fruit for the past few years (the plants are about 5 years old). Now, I have 4 bunches on the two different groups and all of them are producing fruit that is not developing properly. The growth of the individual bananas is stunted, never exceeding roughly a thumbs width in size. Length appears roughly normal; it's just the diameter of the fruit that's off. In past years I've fertilized them with Miracle Grow on a hose sprayer along with all the other plants I have growing nearby. I've done that a couple times this year also but I'm mainly using an 8-10-8 fertilizer now which I apply about once a month. They also get plenty of water from a drip irrigation system daily. Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

Are you desuckering?

sunfish · 06-07-2013, 04:21 PM

Maybe they were stressed at one time or another

Scott Craft · 06-07-2013, 06:53 PM

Am I desuckering?

No, I'm not. While I've had these a few years I really know nothing about growing them other than giving them a fair amount of water and fertilizer. I'll look into that.

As far as stress is concerned, yes, it can get fairly cold (at or below freezing) where I live in southern California and the leaves do take a beating due to the cold but that hasn't seemed to be an issue in past years as the plants always seem to come roaring back once it warms up in the spring.

bananimal · 06-07-2013, 07:31 PM

First thing that comes to mind is you are running 2 main pstems on each mat and you are using 8-10-8 fert. To thrive, bananas require a fert ratio of med-lo-high. How much, say by the cup, are you putting down?

Sounds like they are being starved of potassium.

Two main psems on a mat means higher demand of K. The monthly part is on the nose.

Nicolas Naranja · 06-07-2013, 07:32 PM

When I had my bigger farm, the area where the suckers got ahead of me had junk fruit. A good desuckering could stimulate the plant as well.

PR-Giants · 06-07-2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Maybe they were stressed at one time.

More info is needed, when did it bloom?, normal # days to fill?, Pseudostem height & C?

I've grown thousands of Manzanos and normally they fill slow in the beginning.

Scott Craft · 06-07-2013, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bananimal

First thing that comes to mind is you are running 2 main pstems on each mat and you are using 8-10-8 fert. To thrive, bananas require a fert ratio of med-lo-high. How much, say by the cup, are you putting down?

Sounds like they are being starved of potassium.

Two main psems on a mat means higher demand of K. The monthly part is on the nose.

I use the 8-10-8 as I've read on a few sites that that's the ratio commercial growers use, but yeah, I've also read that bananas are heavy K users so 8-10-8 wouldn't be right if that's the case. The brand I'm using is a water soluble that's geared towards roses and that mix is a tablespoon per gallon. I apply two to three gallons for a grouping of 7 plants. I really think your statement regarding suckers is right. That and a better fertilizer.

Also, I'm not familiar with the lingo. What's a mat? What's a pstem?

bananimal · 06-08-2013, 09:21 AM

Post some pics and state your location. And start looking for Ag suppliers that sell to the public. Ask for granular, not slow release, 6-2-12 with minors or similar.

Fertilizing by the pound not by the table spoon is required.

Mat --- the collective planting of naners with all the suckers originating from the mama corm. Pstem ---- the trunk of each naner. Do searches.

06-07-2013, 12:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scott Craft Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 2,199 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Manzano banana fruit not developing properly I have a couple groupings of Manzano bananas that have produced very good fruit for the past few years (the plants are about 5 years old). Now, I have 4 bunches on the two different groups and all of them are producing fruit that is not developing properly. The growth of the individual bananas is stunted, never exceeding roughly a thumbs width in size. Length appears roughly normal; it's just the diameter of the fruit that's off. In past years I've fertilized them with Miracle Grow on a hose sprayer along with all the other plants I have growing nearby. I've done that a couple times this year also but I'm mainly using an 8-10-8 fertilizer now which I apply about once a month. They also get plenty of water from a drip irrigation system daily. Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

06-07-2013, 04:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,061,825 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Manzano banana fruit not developing properly Maybe they were stressed at one time or another

06-07-2013, 06:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Scott Craft Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 3 BananaBucks : 2,199 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Manzano banana fruit not developing properly Am I desuckering? No, I'm not. While I've had these a few years I really know nothing about growing them other than giving them a fair amount of water and fertilizer. I'll look into that. As far as stress is concerned, yes, it can get fairly cold (at or below freezing) where I live in southern California and the leaves do take a beating due to the cold but that hasn't seemed to be an issue in past years as the plants always seem to come roaring back once it warms up in the spring.

06-07-2013, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
bananimal Member bananimal's Photo Gallery Location: Port St Lucie, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: 10a Name: Dan Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,512 BananaBucks : 583,018 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,688 Times Was Thanked 4,979 Times in 1,509 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Manzano banana fruit not developing properly First thing that comes to mind is you are running 2 main pstems on each mat and you are using 8-10-8 fert. To thrive, bananas require a fert ratio of med-lo-high. How much, say by the cup, are you putting down? Sounds like they are being starved of potassium. Two main psems on a mat means higher demand of K. The monthly part is on the nose.

06-07-2013, 07:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja 's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 484,183 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,665 Times in 1,563 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Manzano banana fruit not developing properly When I had my bigger farm, the area where the suckers got ahead of me had junk fruit. A good desuckering could stimulate the plant as well. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

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06-08-2013, 09:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
bananimal Member bananimal's Photo Gallery Location: Port St Lucie, Fla Find me on the map! Zone: 10a Name: Dan Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,512 BananaBucks : 583,018 Feedback: 12 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,688 Times Was Thanked 4,979 Times in 1,509 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Manzano banana fruit not developing properly Post some pics and state your location. And start looking for Ag suppliers that sell to the public. Ask for granular, not slow release, 6-2-12 with minors or similar. Fertilizing by the pound not by the table spoon is required. Mat --- the collective planting of naners with all the suckers originating from the mama corm. Pstem ---- the trunk of each naner. Do searches.

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