Ripsaw

GoGreen,

I did some more checking out of curiosity. Florida is one of the areas in the world having this virus. It is similar to one in sugarcane, and can be found in heliconia (false bird of paradise). Also transmitted by mealybugs and infected bananas (cavendish is one). And you should acquire bananas that have been tested for this. Appears to be a major problem in some countries such as Ecuador and many others. The virus won't transfer to your cutting tools but it is always a good idea to clean them anyway. Seems like people say it is not transmitted via soil but other plant materials in the soil may be enough.

It is also transferred by seeds, as well as associated with some species of mealybugs. So, get rid of the plants, get rid of the mealybugs, and plant somewhere else on your lot, and keep an eye out for more symptoms and mealybugs. Try planting some different Musa. (see the report for susceptible plants)

Commercial growers have controlled the virus by drastic eradication within 50 m2 of the infected plant. Sometimes leaves are flecked or streaked but not always showing up immediately, sometimes within three generations.

"Detection and Inspection
If possible, plants should be grown under cool or fluctuating temperatures. The leaves should be inspected for chlorotic or necrotic streak or fleck symptoms. Not all leaves may show symptoms; often streaks are only seen on one or two leaves on an infected plant. Incomplete bunch emergence or bunches emerging through the pseudostem also suggest that the plant may be virus infected."

Also,
"Mealybug vectors should be controlled if virus incidence is high and the disease appears to be spreading from plant to plant. The virus is unlikely to be spread on cutting tools or by mechanical means.

In Ecuador, where banana streak is a serious problem in some commercial Cavendish plantations, plants with symptoms are quickly destroyed after spraying with insecticide in an effort to contain the outbreak. If 10 plants with symptoms are seen in a 50 m² area, then all plants in that area are destroyed. However, these practices have failed to stop spread and more drastic action is being considered (Lockhart and Jones, 1999)."

Plants may be symptomless (see Symptoms) and tests need to be undertaken to determine if the virus is present or absent (see Diagnostic Methods).

Looks like Florida is unlucky enough to be on the list of of places where this occurs so eradicate it.

*I am adding a link to the report on this if you haven't seen it already.
Banana streak disease