Davey

My Namwa has been in the ground right at 2 years.

At first I worried it might have Panama Disease (Fusarium wilt), because of losing its lower leaves I thought a bit prematurely, but then, it kind of perked up and started looking better.

But now, after its 2nd winter/3rd summer in the ground, it is back to having some of its lower leaves go yellow and then, if I leave them on the plant long enough without trimming them off, they'll get dry brown patches.

I closely examined the pseudostem, and found that some of the old "boot jacks"--stubs of old leaves which I trimmed--- have gone pale beige, mushy, and stinky. There's a pic of that.

Also, read where Panama Disease shows "splits" in the pseudostem. I might have found a split. It's in one of the pics.IMG_0473.jpg

My main experience is with 2 other bananas ('Orinoco' and and ornamental flowering banana)in a different location. Neither ever had mushy/ stinky areas on the trunk, in the growing season. Neither ever had any issues, except they tended to be invasive.

So, here are a few pictures. What do y'all think? Does this look like it might be the dreaded Panama Disease? I'd really like to know, because we just bought a dwarf Cavendish and want to plant it nearby.

Thanks so much

Miriam L. Davey
Lacombe LAh
USDA Zone 9a

Davey

Sorry, having trouble getting pics posted. I am pretty good with dirt and plants but not so great with computers...

Davey

Managed to get 4 pictures into my "gallery", but can't figure out how to get them from the gallery onto this thread. Suggestions?

Iowa

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Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby

Janelle525

My tall Namwa is doing the same thing, happened last fall into winter as well, mine started after it set fruit a few weeks ago so I thought it was probably just a lot of nutrients were getting taken up and I hadn't been giving it everything it needed to thrive. It's my fastest growing banana.

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Super Dwarf Cavendish, Tall Namwah, Goldfinger, Praying Hands, Raja Pisang, Manzano.

Gabe15

Namwah is susceptible to Panama Wilt, but it is highly unlikely in your location, and the symptoms do not match. Your plant just appears to be dropping older leaves which is exceedingly normal. Panama Wilt causes wilting/dropping of all leaves, including the newest ones, and the whole plant ceases growing. Nothing to worry about.

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

cincinnana

The plants are just reacting to the shorter days and lower temps of fall.

Some plants will react quicker to the enviromental transition.

Many folks trim off older yellowing unsightly leaves as they appear.
Mine are in the transition now.
Looks normal to me.

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Davey

Iowa thanks a million for re-posting my pictures onto the thread!

Cincinnana, Gabe15, and Janelle525, your responses were what I was hoping for. Though I am an experienced gardener (and actually was once a professional gardener), not only have I never grown this or any other dessert banana, but growing anything in this type of coastal sandy soil, with such a high pH, is new to me.

Though I have mulched the H out of it, worked to correct the pH, and fertilized regularly including with extra potassium, probably should have amended the soil a bit more before planting it. I just kept thinking back to my old 'Orinoco' grove and assumed my main issue would be keeping it under control.

Y'all answered my question. Putting in hubby's birthday present, a very robust, potted 'Dwarf Cavendish'/Grande Nain this week!

(He has since pronounced the leaves of my NamWa long and thick enough to use for his cooking purposes, but I am loathe to allow it to give up any...)

Again, thanks so much.

MiriamDavey
Lacombe, LA

Janelle525

The sandy soil is new to me as well! Definitely a learning curve! Bananas seem to need rich soil like they have in the rainforest to really thrive.

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Super Dwarf Cavendish, Tall Namwah, Goldfinger, Praying Hands, Raja Pisang, Manzano.

smeash

Tons of wood chips, manure, grass clippings.. just keep layering it on.. it will create the conditions you are looking for.

Janelle525

Yep tree mulch has been the best so far, everything else disappears into the sand in no time. Ok I take that back, the home made worm castings seem to stay around because they are a mixture of worm poop and coconut coir and don't break down.

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Super Dwarf Cavendish, Tall Namwah, Goldfinger, Praying Hands, Raja Pisang, Manzano.