Something wrong?
 

I'm new with bananas, but I think something is wrong with my newish banana plant. I started noticing black on the edges of the bottom leaf part. It kind of looks like a fungus to me, but I have no experience with banana plants...

Here's a picture:


It was put in a larger pot when I got home in potting soil, and was recently moved to a metal halide light (14k bulb, 150 watts). It has a baby at the base too, I haven't noticed any black on it so far. I'm not sure if I should even remove the baby?

Thanks for any help.

Re: Something wrong?
 

If its from cold where its brown on the leaf above the black it might be due to cool air coming in from outside? To me the black looks like a sun burn since you just moved to another bulb. I get those on mine from putting them out in the sun when they haven't been used to it. Looks like a healthy plant other than that :^) I would provide more info for a more informed answer. The pic needs to have help like another of the whole plant. And information like do you mist the plant often, or when you water it do you pour the water on the leaves? How warm the soil is on the plant, and warm the room is even (since its cool up north yet).. I hope I was right and its just a sunburn. Hope what I wrote helps in the future. :^)

Re: Something wrong?
 

Here's a photo of the whole plant -


I haven't misted this plant, though I just started yesterday. I don't pour water on the leaves. It's usually about 70-75 in my apartment, so I imagine the soil must be around that temperature?

Re: Something wrong?
 

Its hard to tell if its some form of damage or its pigmentation (some varieties have black pigmentation like that which will show sometimes). In either case, its not a problem, your plant is healthy and fine.

Re: Something wrong?
 

looks like pigmentation to me......rest of the banana looks great...

Re: Something wrong?
 

That's what I was thinking!!! :^)

Re: Something wrong?
 

Yeah, I wouldn't be too worried about that sort of presentation. Many types of bananas have black splotches on their pseudostems or petioles...nothing pathological, nutritional or parasite-oriented. Beware of brown/squishy parts...that is rot, but what your pictures show looks just fine.

Re: Something wrong?
 

Thanks everyone, that's definitely a relief.

On another note, what about the baby? Can it just stay there?

Re: Something wrong?
 

Leave the baby (pup). I'm sure it doesn't have enough roots to grow on its own, & it is not hurting mama at all.

Re: Something wrong?
 

Just like Patty said.. Leave the pup... in a couple months (2-3) it should be propogated and will be a healthy banana vs. one that would be not nearly as healthy... waiting is sometimes a good thing :^) When you get to separating try not to cut any roots.. a couple jobes or miricle grow spikes help the transition.. :^)

Re: Something wrong?
 

Great - thanks again everyone. I'm definitely in no hurry to separate the two!

Re: Something wrong?
 

I have balbesianas that have that same black stuff... they are growing great, and I think it is a normal thing for some species. If it is still growing new leaves, and the leaf surfaces themselves look ok ( as they do from your pics ), then I would not worry. I agree with the rest.. leave the pup... it's a cutie. Over all, that is a beautiful plant!!