Moldy flowers
 

I am growing bananas indoors in southern Manitoba. I was doing fine, thanks to great advice from many of you. See original post here:
http://www.bananas.org/f2/too-cold-bananas-22612.html
But a new problem has arisen: the flowers on the underside of the stalk have begun to get moldy. White, moist fuzziness is what I see. (See pics in post below) I was hoping that the stalk was getting more air circulation since it began to hang downward more, but it's still happening. I have begun pulling off the shrivelled red bracts to allow the flowers to get more air. And today I set up a fan to help circulate the air. The flowers on top are fine, but growing extremely slowly. I have been keeping the temps at 70 deg and have put in four CFL lights to help the five big windows with the lighting. I thought the conditions were good. It is not as humid now as it was in the summer. Is this a sign of the end? Is there anything else I can do?

Re: Moldy flowers
 

I'd take off the petals... Might help. I never tried it though but hey, at that point, what do you have to lose?

Re: Moldy flowers
 

Yes I did that. It seems to be helping. Had the fan going all last night too.

Re: Moldy flowers
 

Do you have a dehumidifier? What banana is it (just curious!)?

Re: Moldy flowers
 

I have a dehumidifier. I'm surprised that it would be necessary because banana plants like humidity. I'm very surprised to find mildew at a time when the humidity is decreasing.
I wish I knew the type of plant. I lost the tag. But I'll ask at the store where I purchased it. It is a type of dwarf plant.

Re: Moldy flowers
 

i think bananas thrive on humidity plus heat... if the temp drops then mold is going to be a problem.

Re: Moldy flowers
 

At least you've put your fan on.

Re: Moldy flowers
 

Thanks for the tip.
I thought 70 F was warm enough. And it will be a struggle to keep it there as the winter sets in. So I think I'll keep the fan going (and maybe a heater).

Re: Moldy flowers
 

It might just be the nectar that's getting moldy. Outside ants and hummingbirds keep it from accumulating.

Re: Moldy flowers
 

I hope you're right.
I've got the wood stove on in the basement now. It usually dries and warms the house.

Re: Moldy flowers
 

Try adding your location in your profile my canadian friend. Wood stove is a great idea.

Re: Moldy flowers
 

Here I finally have some pics to show:

Re: Moldy flowers
 

I think you should take off what's rotten...

Re: Moldy flowers
 

I'll try that, once I can access them better. I am wondering how far inward the mildew goes. Maybe the banana part is okay. I hope the fan will stop the mildew from spreading to the actual bananas.

Re: Moldy flowers
 

My Gran Nain is doing the same thing after I brought it inside. I am going to cut off the flower where the flower starts to mold. I hope everything goes good for you.

Chris

Re: Moldy flowers
 

:2141:
That is unfortunate. I've got the fan on 24 hrs now.