Reason for Gros Michel wilting??
 

Hey everybody!

This is my first time growing bananas and I am attempting to grow Gros Michel plant from a pup. I receive this plant about 7 weeks ago. Over the first two weeks I gradually adjusted it to more and more sunlight. After 2 weeks I transplanted it to a much larger pot and allow it full sunlight all day (Been averaging 70-80 degrees F by the way). It feeds on high nitrogen and potassium fertilizer once a month. I let have a cheap moisture / pH reader but I make sure the soil is relatively dry on the first two inches before I give it a thorough soaking and keep the pH around 6.5-7. The plant is also in a very well draining pot with well draining soil. It has shed two leaves so far which I understand is normal, but it seems to be shedding more than it is producing new ones. It has only produced one new leaf and it has not unfolded all the way yet =and even the new leaf is showing a lot of brown on its tip. The plant just doesn't look that healthy to me and I was hoping to get some advice. I have attached photos. Is it getting too much sun? Too much water? Let me know if you have any idea :) Also I am planning on moving the plant into the ground and out of the pot once it is substantially larger


Here are the pics! Let me know if you need any other angles or anything like that!

https://imgur.com/a/NO2SIg0

Re: Reason for Gros Michel wilting??
 

The size plant you received came from a greenhouse with misting several times a day. These plants are TCs. In a nursery setting the plant would be potted into a 6" or 8" pot and placed into a shade house with 40%-50% shading and misting for the next 3 or 4 months. The misting would be reduced; shading reduced; and repotted into 1 or 2 gal pots. ... The plant would then be field ready when 3Ft - 4ft tall.


Unfortunately places that sell these TC plants do not give the buyer proper growing instructions and the little plant will die in about 2 months.


Get your plant back into an 8" pot with a mix of 50%/50% of potting soil and perlite (so you can easily move it around if needed). GET RID of the white wood shown on top of the soil in the photo. Place the plant in a very bright location but no direct sun and mist the plant several times a day. Foliar feed the plant with Miracle Grow spray once a week. ... Mostly your problem for now is lack of humidity (misting) and too much sun. The little plant simply does not have the corm size or root system to support itself.



Read these 2 post I made for more growing instructions:


http://www.bananas.org/f2/help-save-...tml#post324225



http://www.bananas.org/f2/black-stuff-leaves-49339.html#post324160

Re: Reason for Gros Michel wilting??
 

Thank you so much! I went and grabbed an 8 inch pot, some perlite, and mixed it with the soil I had initially which is a cacti/palm mix. I now have it in a windowsill where it will receive moderate late and shade. Only receiving sunlight directly a few hours of the day through the window.

I have attached photos of the new setup. How does this look?

https://imgur.com/a/CJjl7X8

Re: Reason for Gros Michel wilting??
 

It's a start. With misting you should see some improvement soon. ... Be aware the environment inside a house or apartment has a very low humidity due to the AC which has a drying effect on the banana plant. Thus the need to mist several time per day. ... The plant will take up much of it nutrients and water though its leaves while the corm and roots grow.



Also, watch for drafts from air vents. A poly tent over the plant might help with the drafts and humidity. I haven't had the chance to test this myself.


At this stage of growth the plant should not be losing leaves. It need all of them to sustain its self while the corm and roots grow. ... Get a long stem moisture meter to keep a check on the pot soil moisture deep in the pot ... moist but not wet.


TCs are difficult to grow and many banana growers will not buy these. If you live in Florida you can simply put the TC in the ground and a lawn chair over it for shade and it will grow. ... Good Luck with yours.

Re: Reason for Gros Michel wilting??
 

"Only receiving sunlight directly a few hours of the day through the window."
Direct sunlight, in a window sill and if it's misted will kill it. Both the window and the water ont eh leaves act as a magnifying glass and will bake the plant to death.

The first pot was WAY too big. While it may have drained well it still probably held too much water for the plant to use and it was probably drowning.
STOP fertilizing it, NOW. you are probably giving it way too much of everything too fast for it to relax and settle into it's new home.
The second pot is better but I would have gone still a little smaller.

If you are going to mist the plant do so when the sun isn't on it. it does look like it isn't too close to the window so that should be good so it is getting some direct sun.
I would have it outside if it's warm enough. Get some shade cloth and make a canopy for it.
Good luck!