My basjoos don't look very good
 

I planted my basjoos outside on Memorial Day, May 30th. (zone 5, southern WI). So they've been in the ground for 3 weeks...wow, it seems longer than that! What's wrong with them? Too much sun? Too much water? Not enough? I mixed in some thoroughly composted horse manure within the soil when I planted them. They get some wind protection, but we did have an F1 tornado make a visit, leaving a lot of tree damage in the area, but my basjoos made it through no problem....this was a week and a half ago.

As bad as they look, they are producing new leaves like crazy, everytime a new leave unrolls, another one pops up. I haven't timed it, but they've probably popped out a new leaf once a week? When they were in the house, a bottom leaf was drying up/dying so I'd cut it off. Otherwise they'd have a lot more leaves than they do. But now it appears something is happening to ALL of the leaves! What could be wrong with them, and is there anything I can do? I know I can't "fix" the leaves that are already damaged, but what bothers me is that every new leaf they produce is going to most likely end up the same way. I have not measured them. Hubby seems to think they've grown a little since in the ground. Me....doesn't seem so. Maybe I need to measure them so I can keep track of that. I don't want to lose them. But this looks awful!

In the pic, you can tell by the condition which is the newest leaf, and you can also see a new one starting to pop up from within the plant.
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Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

they look like they're still adjusting to outdoor conditions to me. The new leaf looks fine. The others look like they have sunburn/windburn. Have you been getting the same windy and sunny weather we have this year in Indiana? If it's not raining, it's 90 degrees but the wind is blowing all the time either way.

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

here's the other one
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Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Thanks Sandy, I hope that's it. It's been quite hot/humid here. And we've had some windy days, yes. But the wind typically comes out of the west, and they have my garage blocking much of it. I thought I acclimated them well enough to the sun/etc before I put them out...they were going outside nearly every day in their pots since the beginning of May, unless it was REALLY cold, and they even spent a few warmer nights outside too. Gradually increasing their time in the sun. But perhaps it still wasn't enough. I guess I'd thought the new leaves would be ok though...and the new leaves are getting gross too. The ones in the photo aren't yet, but they have had other new leaves besides the one you see in the pic on them since they've been outside, which turned into the mess you see. Well, I'm hoping they come around, and I hope it's just as you say!

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Looking at your monthly temperatures, Madison, WI 53715 Month Weather Report - AccuWeather.com, I think your basjoos will do better once it gets warmer, you're still pretty cool at night.

I would suggest pulling up (removing) some of that grass that is around the plants, it will give the basjoo more room to spread its roots.

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

I agree with the adjustment theory, the lousy leaves were the first to take the brunt of going outdoors and will show it, but the newer leaves will get bigger and stronger, and at about a new leaf a week or less, you're doing just fine.

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Thank you much, you're all making me feel better! Actually, my next project (plan) is to yank up some of that grass and mulch around the bananas.....will help the area look better, reduce weeds, and hopefully help them be happier too.

Whew. Thanks. I needed to hear this...it did stay cooler, later, this year....but despite that, and how they appear, they have been shooting out new leaves....so I know they're not in horrible shape!

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Angie it's the weather. In particular OUR weather here. It has been too inconsistent this year. It is just as bad here in Milwaukee. Warm days in betweeen cool days, and cold rains. While my mature in ground basjoo looks decent, it is only NOW starting to put out decent leaves that look good. Previous to this leaves were getting shredded in our winds or burned with our night time lows. That is what you are seeing. I have some smaller musa that look exactly like yours right now. Don't worry they are fine. Eventually you will get leaves that stay green without the dry patches. When you plant new ones it takes time for them to settle in, and our weather here doesn't help!

Eric

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

It's been strange this year, that's for sure. It stayed cooler later, and now we've already been hit with 90+ degree weather, when we typically don't see a temp in the 90's until late July or August! I'm glad to know I'm doing ok with these guys....I've been eagerly holding onto them since March, and was a long wait getting them in the ground...only to fear I was killing them after doing so!

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Ok, this may be a stupid question....but would it be an ok thing to do to get rid of the leaves that look the worst....since they will not recover anyway....so the basjoos can use their energy elsewhere? And if so...do you cut them off at the pseudostem, so you hardly notice they were there, or do you cut them off right where the leaf itself starts, leaving a bit of stem behind?

When I'd get a bottom leaf completely dry up and die in the house, I actually just peeled it off the pseudostem, but I don't know if that exposes the p.stem in some way and is not good for it?

Thanks!
Angie

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

well if you want to maximize their growth, I'd leave them on for a while longer even though they look bad. The reason is that as long as they are green they are contributing something to the plant. Why not wait just a little longer before cutting them off and let them do as much as possible to strengthen the plant. I know we all want our babies to be pretty, but sometimes looks aren't everything...lol

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Thanks Sandy,
I'll leave them. I actually thought they might be hindering their growth and well being. Putting so much energy into those damaged leaves. I don't care what they look like...well, I do....but I only care because I thought I might eventually lose them! I'm off to look at your website!

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

They're most likely focusing on growing a strong root system since you just planted them, after that they should sky rocket to the sky within no time.

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

mine look similar. Wait to cut off the poor leaves....once theres some consistant temps they will take off and be fine.

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Thought I'd update....the new leaves are finally not turning nasty anymore! Each of my bananas have 3 decent looking leaves on them now, and both soon to unroll another. I took a pic last night....

Would they benefit from fertilizing or no? I did mix some composted (home grown!) horse manure with the soil when I planted them, so I figure they should be ok. You may question the ring around them...well, I did that temporarily just to kill the grass...I plan on pulling the grass up and mulching around the bananas. Thought this was an easy way to do it. I'm watering them myself...we've not been getting much rain.

Also bought a BEAUTIFUL canna 'Australia' the other day....just gorgeous it is...and my caladiums are coming up...I may eventually have a bit of a tropicalesque garden yet! Ok, maybe next year!

One more question. So, maybe I'm wrong, but since we're already into July, I'm just not thinking these bananas will get very big this year. Would you dig them up and bring them inside their first winter?



This is how they looked the beginning of May, when I was setting them outside daily to get used to the outdoors. I can definitely see the p-stem is much wider....

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Thought I'd update....big difference now! I'm sure there will not be much height (or assuming so), but as small as they still are, I'm loving just staring at them, with how they've started filling out so nicely now....I'm just amazed at the difference! This is the same basjoo photo-ed above! BTW, taken today.... July 21.

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Looks great Angie! See what some heat does?

Eric

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

wow they've came a long way. Congratulations!

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Congrats on the beautiful Basjoos! They look to be well taken care of. Being a Milwaukee WI native I'm happy to see some nanners popping up that far north!

Re: My basjoos don't look very good
 

Very nice improvement!