Siam Ruby Problems
 

The last couple of days I've noticed my Siam Ruby bananas are drooping more and more. Upon closer inspection of the leaves, they feel a little dry to me, almost like what banana leaves feel like after placed in sun when they are not acclimated. First a little history, these were planted at the end of May. Temperatures have mainly been between 80 and 90 during the day and 60 and 70 at night. I feed with Miracle Grow once a week and have been since I planted them. The soil is moist around them. The new roller is advancing as normal out of the plant.

At first I thought they were drooping in the hot sun like bananas sometimes do, but I looked at them this morning and they still look all droopy while my other bananas are standing at attention! Maybe some of you can help me figure this out, because I would hate to those these guys. They are one of my favorites.

First here's a pic from a week ago when they looked good.



Now here's three pictures from today with them being all droopy.







Thanks for any help you might have.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

as far as the plant it looks good to me you feed them once a week ? Wow maybe cut back on the food. How long have they been planted ? Im not sure what the problem can be. Good luck

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Looks even worse tonight... like the leaves are wilting right away.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Are they getting to dry? Has the weather been any different since you planted them? Heat issues maybe.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

They look like they might be planted a little deep to me, maybe brush some of the mulch away and check them?

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

My 'SAFETY' when a plant is looking bad...pot it up in dry compost...just get a $1.50 bag from Dome Hepot and put the plant in the garage for a week or more. Mine usually hang out in the garage for a month with minimum water...as in a little at 10 days and 20 days. Mark the last cigar leaf with a perminent marker with the date. Check it everyday.
When you pull the plant, you'll be able to see if the roots are dry, wet, rotted. Then sometimes it's just the sun. If memory serves me (when CRS isn't in full swing), the Siam Ruby really loves HOT weather. May have something to do with the temp swings.
Research optimal temperatures for the Ruby. Your 'LOWS' may be the dormant temps and 'HIGHS' may be max. Did a cool front just move through?
Good Luck

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Are they maybe planted a bit too deep? Maybe push the mulch away a bit and have a look at the base?

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

I had highs in the 80's week before last and my SR did the same thing. I gave It shade and it seems to be recovering, but the pups are hurting.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Been watching it closely and the roller has not moved on one plant any further since I made this post. The other plant is moving slowly and doesn't look that bad. The plant in question has degraded further and the leaves feel dried up.

I'm wondering if I should cut down the pseudostem a little to see if rot is affecting the new roller.

My orinocos had two pups that weren't moving, but the leaves looked good. I cut down the pseudostem and noticed it was rotted to the ground in the middle, but the outside of the plant was fine -- hence why there was no growth.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Gots to let 'em dry out buddy

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Found out the problem. Lifted them out of the ground and they both have almost no roots. The ones they had didn't look good. So I potted them up in a black 3 gallon container and it will hopefully get warmer than the in ground soil. Probably the ground was too cold for them, even though it is 80 degrees.

Guess this sucker can't grow in the ground up here even in the middle of summer. Depressing, because its been 80-90 during the day and 60-70 at night, which is warm enough for my other bananas. I really love how the siam ruby looks but it's probably out of reach for me. From the looks of things, musa zebrina need the really hot weather too? Ugh. Can't get any good looking ornamental bananas!!

My musa basjoo, ensete maurelii, and musa orinoco bananas are growing like gangbusters.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Honestly, they look just fine to me! Just keep them going as they are and water them once they get dry around them. SR are kinda picky....they like super hot/humid temps and they don't do well unless they get it. Though, droopy, yours look perfectly healthy!

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

They may look fine, but truth is Thailand (SR origin) is 80s and higher at all times. I checked some of my plant books and did find a red leaf ornamental and it says not under 66 degrees. So considering it's origin I wouldn't chance expect it to do well with cold snaps.
When plants shut down from cold, the water sits around the plant and rots roots and finally corm. You may even see the plant fall over from rot. The corm will be the last to go.
My neighbor has an SR that's coloring up great. But it needs this Zone 10 for results. It's potted up and only watered every 3 days. Plant won't grow if roots are rotting.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Tim

Get a magnifier and inspect the lower leaves for spider mites. The wilting is also a sign of spider mite damage. You will need to spray an insecticide on all surfaces. It's my biggest problem here in Fla with the SR.

Dig em up and dust the good white roots with mycorrhizae powder. Pot them up in potting mix and water for moist, not wet. Good luck.

Dan

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

you battle spider mites in humid FL? I thought they were only a problem for us in the dry arid desert!

Z

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

I get the mites on my Elephant Ears. For some reason, none on the nanners.
Everyday I give the leaves a straight-stream spray down with the hose. That may be the saving key.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Spider mites suck. I have had a outbreak with them this year. Never had any bug problems with banana's before. Not sure the reason,we are 15ft off the ground and wind does blow into the balcony. But I think it just might stay to hot and not even frsh air maybe. I went ahead and cut alot of leaves off and sprayed Ortho insect soap. Seems like it worked,but have acouple mites here and there. Found three red ones. What worries me is it says to spray weekly-biweekly. I would think thats not often enough to keep them under control to kill them off? Good luck man.

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Yeah, I was told they don't like hot/humid conditions. However, my Colocasia Jacks Giant has had astronomical amounts of them on it all summer. Over winter, I was battling the white/clear ones, but now it's the red ones. And trust me, it's been super hot/humid for a WHILE now and they are here to stay, unfortunately. A typical day right now is 96 and oppressively torrid/humid....yet spider mites are uninhibited....but only on that one plant, luckily!

Re: Siam Ruby Problems
 

Spider mites do seem to prefer hot and dry conditions but they do just fine in humid conditions as well. We have plenty of them in Houston, the capitol of humidity!