Welker1

Hello everyone! I just transplanted my second dwarf cavendish (overwatered the first one to death) into a 40 gallon container and it instantly began having problems. Already the plant was struggling a bit in the container I bought it in, the leaves were coming out a third the size of the biggest leaf and after transplanting it I realized how rootbound it was. I am using miracle grow cactus and palm potting soil with a very light layer of mulch over it and giving it an inch of water every three days. I fertilized it with some superthrive and a 4-6-3 dry mix a few days after planting it to help it establish but I realize now that may not have been a good idea. Every day it becomes a little more yellow, the stem becomes mushier, and the leaves fold in more and more about a week and a half after transplant. I have not watered it in a few days because I am worried I will give it root rot so I have been misting it heavily about 3-4 times a day. I live in zone 9b and it gets indirect sunlight all day with about 3 hours of direct sunlight. Anyone have any suggestions or advice? I really want to keep this guy going but I just cannot seem to get it right.

https://imgur.com/a/bRcAuvh

cincinnana

Actually your plant looks ok......just alittle stressed.
If you disturbed the root ball during the transplant the plant will take a month or so to sort itself out and replenish roots.
Move the plant in the shade for a month until a new leaf shows and the plant feels solid in the pot.....heat will be an issue also when your plant is stressed.

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wstrickland1

I have been cutting in half the leaves that wilt after transplanting. You will probably lose those anyway.

Abnshrek

My advice is to get a namwah or something that tastes better than a Cavendish. Fhia-02 sh-3640 and leave the cavendish's to fend for themselves.. if you in the 9b growing zone..

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I'm a Nannerhead :^)

Welker1

Thank you for your reply! While it is in this stressed out state should I cut back water at all?

Welker1

Also what is up with the mushiness? I felt the stem again today and its it starting to feel like well, a banana

beam2050

yes, there are a number of varieties that do way better in 8a/9b than those. also like rajapuri, dwarf Brazilian, praying hands. anything with the canvidish strain grow better further south.

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npk of wood ash 0/1/3 to 0/3/7

npk of banana leaf ash 1.75/0.75/0.5

Welker1

Thanks everyone! I will look into trying some other plants. If I were to try and keep this cavendish going should I change up the soil? I have read that 50% perlite and soil is a good mix and I am worried this miracle grow holds onto water too much. However I feel like if I transplanted this plant again it would not survive. Any suggestions?

wstrickland1

I have great luck with MG Cactus Soil. Not sure what its in now but you can rot out a corm in a small plant real quick like

cincinnana

Miracle grow is a great peat based mix.
Many gardeners use it as a base for their custom potting mix.
If you find your soil too wet ....just cut back on the water schedule.

If you find the mix too heavy for your needs just add perlite or pine fines to lighten the mix so it improves drainage in your container.
There are some great Youtube videos to help sharpen your soil skills.


It takes a while for a new plant to sort itself out in a container....untill then do everything sparingly.
In a couple of months when your plant has outgrown the current pot you can make your changes.......or you can plant it in the ground.

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