ladyflyfsh

My AeAe seems to be healthy enough and made it through one frost this winter here in Sarasota, FL with little to no damage. Now that it is heating up, things are growing rapidly and I have been noticing browning along the edges of this particular plant. My other bananas don't have this issue, just the Ae Ae. Can anyone please help me understand why this one is doing this and my Dwarf Namwah, Raji Puri and Ice Cream don't have this same problem? They all get watered and fertilized the same...of course the larger plants get more. Here are some photos so you can see the problem. The leaves appear perfect when they first open and then after a few days they start to brown around the edges. What am I doing wrong and what can I do to fix this? Is it possible it is getting too much sun? If so, would it be advisable to move it to a shadier part of the yard now before it gets any bigger?

Thanks.........> Mary











And here is my first bunch from my Dwarf Namwah..so excited!

Bananaman88

That is an inherent problem with heavily-variegated leaves. The white portion has no chlorophyll (hence, it being white) so it burns easier in the sun. I have the same issue with my 'Stuttgart' canna. Plants with yellowish variegation don't seem to have this issue as much as there is at least a little chlorophyll but, in my experience, anything with white variegation will have this problem. My last Ae-Ae burned along the edges even in the shade. I've read that Epsom salts help but I'm not entirely convinced of that. Hope this helps!

harveyc

I just sent a PM to three of our Florida Ae Ae experts (I'm an expert at killing them) to see if they will take a look and offer their advice. Some of the problem appears to be sunburn which is common on the white portions.

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jnstropic

A banana caterpillar (the Opogona sacchari) is one of the problems. I have used Sevin. In the last six months I had 7 plants to have fruit. The first 2 were good. The next 3 were not good to eat. I cut the flowers of the last 2. Two years ago I gave 12 plants to people in south Florida. Last year I had none to give away. I am happy that I still have Ae Ae bananas in the garden. All bananas around are area seems to have problems.
A banana caterpillar (the Opogona sacchari) ate the new leaves

A banana caterpillar (the Opogona sacchari) ate the new leaves

ladyflyfsh

Thank you! I really appreciate that.

RAINFOREZT

The next 3 were not good to eat...Why? Does the catterpillar attacked the fruit?
Why did you cut the flowers of the 2? What exactly the problems all those bananas in your area having ...?

Does this catterpillar only attacks the ae ae? Have you seen them in any other bananas?

sunfish

RAINFOREZT

how tall is your dwarf namwah?

ladyflyfsh

I'd say about 10' or so

bananimal

Ae Ae - mycorrhizae effects dramatic

Check out this thread. My Ae Ae looked like yours do now and I fixed it fast.

harveyc

Dan, have you made repeated applications of the mycorrhizae product you're using or just once?

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bananimal

I repeat the Myco drench one more time. The fungus colony should be growing and thriving at that point. Then once a year just in case build up of salts from my fert has depleted the colony.

To really get a growth kick start I do a drench with Maxicrop from Peacefull Valley - Norwegian Kelp solution. Hormones mean growth. This year should see my first bunch of Ae Ae fruit. I've said that before I think.

NANAMAN

I agree with Brent, sunburn is common with variegated plants. That being said, if you increase the rate of growth of Ae Ae's, the sunburn becomes less noticeable. It'll still be there though.

Look in my gallery for an example. Both of those Ae Ae's
were grown in full sun. They were given plenty of everything,(compost, mulch, ferts. etc.) and grew rapidly.

This plant looks like it may have symptoms of a little corm rot, nothing drastic though. It's hard to tell from the pictures,sometimes after winter, the plant will take a while to really get going, but should grow out of most problems once it is warm and hits full stride!


I would keep it in full sun and, save & plant a pup from it in a more shady spot later for comparison. I hope that was helpful!

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ladyflyfsh

It's been a while since the last two leaves opened and they seem to be doing ok and not browning, so perhaps the issue has resolved itself. It's getting really hot now!

Greenie

Ladyfish,

Your Ae Ae will be fine.The white shades will get some sun burn and that is normal when in full sun.

The yellowish-brownish burn does not look like sun burn.Try looking under the leaves for white fly,mealy bugs and any other organism pecking on the edges.

You might have over watered a bit and it might have affected the corm like Nanaman stated.

keep us updated!

ladyflyfsh

Thanks Frank,

I do believe I may have overwatered and have cut back a bit now. I do not see anything under the leaves. It seems to be doing better now. Thanks!