Natureboy

I had a Goldfinger banana that was exhibiting signs of Panama Disease (premature yellowing of leaves and subsequent decay), so I chopped it down and took a picture.
Although the picture does show two small black areas, I'm not sure that it exhibits the characteristic signs of Fusarium Wilt. Regardless, I think I will remove the clump, as I don't want this potentially affecting the rest of my bananas.
What is the best way to get rid of a clump of infected bananas? I've read about burning the rhizome, although I'm not sure that is practical, as it's pretty close to my house.
I do find it odd (if it is Panama Disease) since Goldfinger is supposed to be one of the varieties most resistant to the disease. Thanks for taking a look.

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Praying hands: a good way to thank God and a darn good banana, too!

Current varieties: Dwarf Namwah, FHIA-03 (Sweetheart), White Iholena, Maoli, Orinoco, Manzano (Apple), Praying Hands, Dwarf Brazilian, Pisang Raja, Rajapuri, Ice Cream (Blue Java), FHIA-01 (Goldfinger), Kandarian

Gabe15

There are no signs of Panama Disease there, and you are correct that 'Goldfinger' is resistant to all of the race's which affect banana. If it was Panama Disease (which it's not), removing the plant would really not help to save your other plants as it is a disease which lives in the soil primarily, not in the plant.

However, the plant was flowering when you cut it. Perhaps the flowering was interrupted and aborted for some reason and so that's why the plant decayed.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

Natureboy

Thanks, Gabe. I suppose you know that it would have pushed up a flower due to the central core evident in the pic? If it was flowering, the bananas would not have made it through the winter in my region anyway...

I planted this Goldfinger clump differently than the rest of my various bananas. Whereas the rest of my bananas are along a fence line or on the south side of my house, I planted this one on the north side of my house. The only reason for doing so was that I had some space there and I wanted to utilize it. It gets full sun all summer, but is mostly shaded by the house the rest of the year. Maybe that has something to do with it. I suppose it could also be insufficient nutrients or a hundred other reasons...

I agree that apart from the yellowing of the lower leaves, it doesn't seem to exhibit internal signs of Fusarium Wilt. (heavy sigh of relief)

__________________
Praying hands: a good way to thank God and a darn good banana, too!

Current varieties: Dwarf Namwah, FHIA-03 (Sweetheart), White Iholena, Maoli, Orinoco, Manzano (Apple), Praying Hands, Dwarf Brazilian, Pisang Raja, Rajapuri, Ice Cream (Blue Java), FHIA-01 (Goldfinger), Kandarian