Newtoallthis

I'm new to horticulture in general, and am a proud new owner of a banana plant in particular. I got my banana plant about a month ago from a nursery in Virginia and then drove it to Oklahoma, which will be its permanent residence. I was then out of town for that next month and had to leave it with a friend to take care of it. I'm keeping it indoors. I've just returned and found that most of it's leaves are at least a little yellow if not very yellow and brown.

I've been reading up on all of this and have learned that it's normal for the leaves to turn brown with age and then for it to grow new ones, but it's pretty much all of the leaves. I'm also afraid that it may have spider mites. I see something that might be webbing from them, but I guess I don't really know how to tell what they look like. The plant tag says Musa 'Cheeka.' The mother plant is about a foot tall (I believe it's a dwarf) and it has two pups about two inches tall. The pups look MUCH better.

Should I just separate the pups (which I've been reading up on) and put them all in different pots and treat them for mites and hope for the best, or what? I am going to attempt to include a link to my member gallery for photos, but am not sure it it'll work. Also they aren't the best because I only have mac photobooth to take them with right now. Thanks for any input!

Gallery: Banana Gallery - Newtoallthis Gallery

sunfish

I would go ahead and treat for spider mites can't hurt. Leave the pups for now and move to a little larger pot.

LilRaverBoi

Definitely check carefully for spider mites...they spin tiny webs especially at bends in leaves, where they meet the petioles and along the midrib on the undersides. You can see the spidermites themselves if you have good near vision (or you can use a magnifying glass). They look like tiny white or red specks with tiny legs that crawl across things (especially when it's sunny/warm). Like Tony said, treating for them isn't a bad idea.

As far as the pups go, they're much too small to separate right now, so leave them be. Even if the main plant dies, they'll keep growing and replace it.

The issues could be due to improper watering (either too much or not enough). Be sure to let it get fairly dry (below the surface too) before watering (especially in winter). You can always pick up the pot to feel how heavy it is, or keep a dowel in the soil to test it deeper down.

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Abnshrek

I would have to gander it it either nutrition deficient and has not been getting enough light. Your pups look fine. I'd get them in a bigger pot like Tony said, making sure not to raise the soil level on the stem (wet conditions on the stem higher than necessary can cause rot). Keep them in the best lit area you have that's warm.. :^) & follow Bryan's advice on monitoring soil conditions for moisture..

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Newtoallthis

Thank you thank you everyone! I will definitely treat for spider mites and will move them to a bigger pot but won't separate them yet. How big should they be before I separate them? Also, the watering advice was appreciated as I don't think I have that down quite yet. Soon I should have a sunnier window to put them by as well. Again thanks a bunch (of bananas)!