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JoeReal · 09-02-2005, 05:27 PM

This term was mentioned by Mike and James. It is a condition when your banana pseudostem survives the winter, but the core died out, and therefore will not fruit during the season. You would be endlessly waiting for new leaves to come out but it doesn't happen. Sometimes you can even have leaves survive the winter only to be surprised that the middle part of the banana has rotted away. This is especially true for those growers in the yard in the colder climates, even if the banana is cold hardy.

I think when cold rains during the winter falls down into the topmost unfurled leaf that is partially opened like a funnel, rainwater gets collected inside into the middle and would start accumulating fungi, bacteria, and since the banana plant is inactive, it could not push them out and therefore will rot away and will be eaten at the core.

I think we may need to cover the top of the trunk (after cutting the leaves) with jute sack and then a plastic liner and tie it. This way it will keep water out, and also any condensation inside the plastic will be absorbed by the jute sack.

I will do this during the coming winter.

09-02-2005, 05:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
JoeReal Senior Member JoeReal's Photo Gallery Location: Davis, California USDA zone 9 Find me on the map! Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,034 BananaBucks : 414,507 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 108 Times Was Thanked 474 Times in 228 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 16 Times	Possible way of Preventing Black Death This term was mentioned by Mike and James. It is a condition when your banana pseudostem survives the winter, but the core died out, and therefore will not fruit during the season. You would be endlessly waiting for new leaves to come out but it doesn't happen. Sometimes you can even have leaves survive the winter only to be surprised that the middle part of the banana has rotted away. This is especially true for those growers in the yard in the colder climates, even if the banana is cold hardy. I think when cold rains during the winter falls down into the topmost unfurled leaf that is partially opened like a funnel, rainwater gets collected inside into the middle and would start accumulating fungi, bacteria, and since the banana plant is inactive, it could not push them out and therefore will rot away and will be eaten at the core. I think we may need to cover the top of the trunk (after cutting the leaves) with jute sack and then a plastic liner and tie it. This way it will keep water out, and also any condensation inside the plastic will be absorbed by the jute sack. I will do this during the coming winter.