One of those Newbie questions!

twistfly · 02-03-2010, 06:51 PM

Hi everyone! I have just inherited a little banana plant, and came here to find out what to do with it!

I've heard bananas like to stay moist, but this one seems to have been over-watered, and looks like it may be rotting out in places (dark and squishy).

Is this poor thing salvageable? Should I let it dry out a bit? Any suggestions?

I appreciate your help!

john_ny · 02-03-2010, 07:15 PM

Oh dear, this does not sound too good, but there is hope. Dark and squishy usually means rot. Cut the stem back to where it is good firm green. In winter, when the plants are not growing vigorously, they need less water. In active growth, they can be watered every day, but if you are keeping one growing, on a windowsill, etc., over the winter, they should only be watered when they get dry. If you de-pot them, and let them go dormant, they should only be watered once or twice, lightly, all winter, or not at all.

We have several members in BC, and they should be able to give you better advice. As a retired US Navy pilot, I've been in every province, except Sascatchewan, and I can say BC can be pretty nanner friendly, but Cold Lake, Alta. was not too good.

Abnshrek · 02-03-2010, 09:53 PM

Put it on a heating pad and hope this drys it out :^)

LilRaverBoi · 02-03-2010, 10:39 PM

Yes, rot is brown/squishy. If you can, cut off the rot so it doesn't spread. Let the plant dry out a bit before watering each time regardless of the time of year (though as John said, water more sparingly during winter months). Bananas like water, but they do NOT like to have wet feet constantly. They like well-draining soil and only being watered after they dry up a bit. Hope that helps!

twistfly · 02-04-2010, 11:57 AM

Thank you so much for your advice everybody, I really appreciate it! Now wish me luck!

CookieCows · 02-04-2010, 12:36 PM

Wishing you lots of luck!! My first thought is wondering if your soil mixture is draining really good if there's a future for it. I use lots of perlite when I pot mine up for the winter. With it being squishy though you'll know by cutting it down, down, down if there's life.

02-03-2010, 06:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
twistfly Newbie! Location: Victoria via Calgary Name: Melissa Kay Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 7,857 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	One of those Newbie questions! Hi everyone! I have just inherited a little banana plant, and came here to find out what to do with it! I've heard bananas like to stay moist, but this one seems to have been over-watered, and looks like it may be rotting out in places (dark and squishy). Is this poor thing salvageable? Should I let it dry out a bit? Any suggestions? I appreciate your help! __________________

02-03-2010, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
john_ny Member john_ny's Photo Gallery Location: Staten Island, NY - southernmost county in NY State. Find me on the map! Zone: USDA7- Sunset34 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,014 BananaBucks : 903,781 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,057 Times Was Thanked 2,284 Times in 832 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 37 Times	Re: One of those Newbie questions! Oh dear, this does not sound too good, but there is hope. Dark and squishy usually means rot. Cut the stem back to where it is good firm green. In winter, when the plants are not growing vigorously, they need less water. In active growth, they can be watered every day, but if you are keeping one growing, on a windowsill, etc., over the winter, they should only be watered when they get dry. If you de-pot them, and let them go dormant, they should only be watered once or twice, lightly, all winter, or not at all. We have several members in BC, and they should be able to give you better advice. As a retired US Navy pilot, I've been in every province, except Sascatchewan, and I can say BC can be pretty nanner friendly, but Cold Lake, Alta. was not too good. __________________ John

02-03-2010, 09:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 332,257 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,443 Times in 5,238 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: One of those Newbie questions! Put it on a heating pad and hope this drys it out :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

02-03-2010, 10:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 155,767 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: One of those Newbie questions! Yes, rot is brown/squishy. If you can, cut off the rot so it doesn't spread. Let the plant dry out a bit before watering each time regardless of the time of year (though as John said, water more sparingly during winter months). Bananas like water, but they do NOT like to have wet feet constantly. They like well-draining soil and only being watered after they dry up a bit. Hope that helps! __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

02-04-2010, 11:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
twistfly Newbie! Location: Victoria via Calgary Name: Melissa Kay Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 7,857 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: One of those Newbie questions! Thank you so much for your advice everybody, I really appreciate it! Now wish me luck! __________________

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02-04-2010, 12:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
CookieCows Member CookieCows's Photo Gallery Location: Kentucky Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Deb Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,182 BananaBucks : 95,412 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,347 Times Was Thanked 696 Times in 393 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 159 Times	Re: One of those Newbie questions! Wishing you lots of luck!! My first thought is wondering if your soil mixture is draining really good if there's a future for it. I use lots of perlite when I pot mine up for the winter. With it being squishy though you'll know by cutting it down, down, down if there's life. __________________

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