Banana Problem
 

Hi, I have been checking the progress of my newly planted banana. For some reason its developing these huge brown spots on it. The soil is moist and i gave it a little fertilzer. I dont know what's going on with it. Can someone help me? Thanks

Re: Banana Problem
 

Is it in a pot or in the ground? I recently had something like this happen to one of my potted bananas when it got too dry.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Its planted in the ground. The soil is clay, and I checked the top inch and it was still moist. It gets mostly sun and I planted it on the southern side of my house. I water it every other day when it gets really hot outside.

Re: Banana Problem
 

My soil is clay too less than 1ft down. I planted one of my Raja puri pups about a month ago. It was fine until we had a big rain. I saw it laying down outside the window and went to go check on it. The whole plant was mush. I'm going to be redoing it as a raised bed. It was mostly brown for about a week before it just died.

Re: Banana Problem
 

It was fine when I got it. It started doing this a little over a week ago. I hope it doesnt die. Ewitte do you think thats whats wrong with mine. The soil has a little sandy loam in it, and I put composted cow manure and mulched it. I hope the sun isnt killing it =(

Re: Banana Problem
 

All I know is standing water can kill them fast. I doubt it is the sun I replanted serveral of my container ones in the last few months and there were lots of 100F days. The one I got from Phoenix looked pretty bad and now on its 5th leaf in about 6 weeks.

Re: Banana Problem
 

How do i know if im watering it too much. Are there any signs that I should watch for?

Re: Banana Problem
 

The new leaf looks ok in the pic. Is the plant growing? I would say it had some transplant shock and should be fine.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Yes but its growing very slowly. It had a new leaf open 2 weeks ago and the new ones now are slowly trying to open. I hope it recovers, it was a little sickly when i got it. Is there anything I can do to help it recover more? I have been wetting the leaves when its really hot outside. Thanks gadget

Re: Banana Problem
 

do not think that wetting the leafs helps, it amplifies the sun. It is good that you are giving it water at the heat of the day just not the leafs. If the new leaf is burning it needs more water or is sitting in water. Maybe dig a hole next to the banana and see how deep it is wet or if it is to wet. Most of my plants look like this when newly planted so you could be doing everything right, you just need time for it to grow.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Ok I will dig a hole tomorrow. The soil is clay so i could be giving it too much water. Thanks again Gadget

Re: Banana Problem
 

Clay soil can hold water a long time, I agree with the person that suggested a raised bed for your naner. With the clay soil, don't dig a hole and add a bunch of amendments--you are making a pot without a drain hole. One exception to that--if you have a hill or slope so that you can dig a hole that water would run out--then you can mix organic matter with the clay and fill the hole--that works real well.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Sbl is it alright to dig it up again? Should I move it to a big pot instead? I dont want to lose this plant because its my only fruiting type. I added some organic fertilizer and some composted cow manure, is it still too late to correct the problem? Thanks

Re: Banana Problem
 

If you dug a hole in clay and added amendments--it is only too late to get it out of that situation if it is dead--that is a death trap for any plant except water lillies. I would put it in a pot for now--that way you can get it thru the winter without additional disturbance.

Re: Banana Problem
 

Ok, I will dig it up and put it in a pot then. I always thought that adding organic matter would loosen up the soil. Well this is a learning experience, I just hope it isnt dying. Thanks again Sbl

Re: Banana Problem
 

It does loosen the soil and it is wonderful for your bananas-- if there is drainage. The problem you have is the clay soil around the part you amended will not let the water drain out--so it sits there and rots the roots of the plants--once the roots begin to rot the symptoms are the same as drought--causing you to water even more. When you dig it up you will find the soil is very sour--probably stinks--no oxygen.

But again--if you can design a hole that has drainage--like on a slope, that clay soil is very rich in minerals and will do well.

Re: Banana Problem
 

I guess I will move it in a pot, i have this pretty good sized pot that I can use. It has a lot of organic material ans it drains pretty good. I will have to try that because my whole yard is clay. The strange thing is that some of the clay soil drains fairly fast but it has very little organic matter and it has a high pH.

Re: Banana Problem
 

If you have an area where the hole you dig--if you fill it with water--will drain completely in a short time (less than an hr), then you could probably mix some organic matter into the soil and plant there. The kind of clay I am used to (in NC)--would still be full tomorrow. In any case I would dig your plant up and check the roots--that is probably where your problem is.

Re: Banana Problem
 

I'm probably going to just put it in a pot, and let it recover. It seems too high maintenance and i dont have much money to spend on anymore soil amendments lol.

Re: Banana Problem
 

it is okay to plant in clay, just do not add amendments, make sure it drains, add lots of compost and mulch to the surface. hope it works out for you.