Sick Keikis?
 

Two of my young nanners have this weird problem where the new fronds seem to bunch up. One is Blue Java, the other with the orange tape and Chinese rose beetle damage is Mysore. Does anyone know what causes this?

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

It's summer in your location. Have you increased irrigation? Are they receiving sufficient nitrogen and potash?

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

We have a wet and dry season. Where I live it is wet and "wetter".

How recently were they planted? They tend to do this after shock.

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

It's Winter here, and technically the dry season. I hand water with washing machine rinse water when there's no rain.

The Mysore was transplanted about a week ago. The blue Java back in October. My biggest fear is Bunchy Top. Just hoping this is something else.

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

It doesn't look too much like bunchy top to me, but I have limited experience. It may just be that they're struggling. Looking like that after 1 week I wouldn't worry about, but the other seems odd. The mysore usually has a much more pink/reddish underside, especially on new leaves. With the other, it at least looks like the newest leaf is bigger than the previous and I'd expect the opposite if it was bunchy top. Bunchy top is a bit of an inevitability on your side of the island, and apparently now my side too. I know someone that had half his collection in Holualoa get it within a couple years.

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

1st picture the edges of the leaves are browning; and the tip and edge of the sword leaf is clearly browning. ... This is most likely sunburning due to being transplanted from nursery shade to full sunlight. Bananas don't like high temperature (high 90's & 100's F) & hot sun.

2nd picture shows insect damage and leaf edge browning. Again the browning is likely sunburn. And, the insect are visible on the pstem.

These plants are in the vegetative growth stage. They need Nitrogen (N) for green growth; Phosphorus (P) for root development: and potassium (K) for fruit & root growth is not critical, but should be increased as the plant nears fruiting height.

May be this reference can help a little,
Banana Plant Care for Brown Leaf Edges | Home Guides | SF Gate

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

Richard,

I found your PDF on Banana growing basics. Based on what you wrote, I am overwatering them. I'll get some proper fertilizer next time I'm in town.

Thanks for your PDF!

Romeo

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

You are spot on with your sunburn diagnosis. There's not much shade on my property, which is one reason I planted Bananas.

Thanks for the tip on the nutrients. I'll focus on Nitrogen for the young ones.

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

Ok for some ornamentals, but not ok for fruiting bananas.

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

Actually, I agree with Richard here. Most because I (we) don't know what is in laundry soap any more. ... The old laundry soaps of 30-40 years ago were mostly phosphate based soaps which would have been ok to use. But I think the phosphate has been largely replace in most 'today's' laundry soaps and chemicals added for scents & fabric softeners. ... ALL the chemical the make up the scent and fabric softeners are on the EPA's hazard list. There is no telling what these might be doing to your bananas. Just not good!

... I know because I'm allergenic to them and it took almost 8 years to figure this out. I haven't had itch & skin rashes since stopping the use of those products.

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

It appears they came from Makuu Market. During the planting phase did you check to make sure the corm wound healed? Did it also have healthy roots? I haven't bought banana plants in awhile, but the last time the plants were very freshly dug up... not very happy. The Fe'i died. Took over a month for them to adapt to my yard.

Re: Sick Keikis?
 

The Berry keiki is from Makuu, but I got the Ice Cream from the Naalehu market. FWIW, the seller gave me another Berry that is doing well.

I did not check the corms for wounds or healing, or the roots for that matter. Any links that show how?