sunsetsammy

Hi folks,

I'm having some problems with a few of the ensete's that I stored bare-root over the winter.

I recently potted them up about 3 1/2 weeks ago. I've been watching their growth over the past weeks and noticed that 2 of the 3 seemed to be pushing out growth but the 3rd plant was doing nothing.

Today when I got home from work the 3rd plant seemed like it was finally starting to be push out a new leaf. However, when I looked down at where it was coming out it looked all black and rotted. So, I gently grabbed on to the new sprout and GENTLY pulled it to the side to see better, and "pop" the thing came right off. Doh!

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Here is the end view.

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When I examined the plant where I broke of the rotten leaf I noticed that there was another new leaf growing within the old rotted one.

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Is there anything I should do here? I'm thinking I should just wait a bit to see if this new tender looking white leaf continues to push out of that rotted part. I couldn't capture it on camera, but below the black rotted part (2 inches or so) it looks green again so I'm thinking it might be alright. Also I couldn't even see this black part yesterday. It looks like it just pushed out today.


So naturally I looked at the other two plants that have been pushing out their 1st leaves to see if they were doing the same thing. Sure enough one of the two also has this black rotted look deep within where the leaves come out. (*the other one seems fine)

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The above picture shows the new leaf just to the left of my finger and its hard to see but there is some definite blackness down there too. This new leaf has been growing steadily the last few days and almost looks like its starting to unroll itself.

Anyhow, sorry about the long post but is there anything I should do here?? Do I need to make a cut below the rotted part? I would love to save these plants if I can.

Thanks

Sam

dablo93

I think the best thing you can do is cut it till the rotted part.
I think you overwatered it

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sunsetsammy

I'm going to watch and wait a couple days before I cut.

I would hate to think I've overwatered. I've watered them once a week for the past 3 weeks and even so I barely dampened the top of the soil.

Thanks for the advice dablo.

I'm wondering if anyone else who stores ensete over the winter has ever experienced this before?

chong

That portion that's black and mushy got waterlogged and cold. The fact that there's a new leaf emerging is a good sign. Personally, I would spray with a systemic fungicide and keep that area dry, esp. when watering, i.e., water the soil and not the plant. And give it some air movement around the plant.

sunsetsammy

YOu are probably right Chong.

Although I've barely watered the plant it was outside for several cool and damp nights and there was a little rain too. I keep them under the eaves of the house right now but it could very well have gotten wet.

Thanks for the advice.

Sam

Lodewijkp

spray them with a fungicide before storing - it really helps.
you can also pour candlewax in the crown when they are dry - i also do that with robusta's and trachycarpus.
concentrated coconut oil has anti fungal properties.

the best thing you can do like dablo says is cut it back.
or you can cut it back 8 inches above ground, just don't cut to low.
if you wait or you cut not enough it can rot further, so cut at least one nanner and spray it with a mild fungicide or natural fungicide.

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Lodewijkp

spray them with a fungicide before storing - it really helps.
you can also pour candlewax in the crown when they are dry - i also do that with robusta's and trachycarpus.
concentrated coconut oil has anti fungal properties.

the best thing you can do like dablo said is cut infected tissue.
or you can cut it back 8 inches above ground, just don't cut to low.
if you wait or you cut not enough it can rot further, so cut at least one nanner deeply and spray it with a mild fungicide or natural fungicide.

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sunsetsammy

Hello,

Just a little follow up to this post.

With the two rotted ensete's I decided to do the chop.

I started cutting back the 1st one and although the outer parts of the plant looked fine the inner most ring was still black. I kept cutting lower and lower trying to stay about 8 inches from the ground as Lodewijkp has said. At that point there was still some definite black there so I figured the thing was a goner and kept cutting lower to about 3 inches from the ground level. Still black. I decided it was probably a lost cause but I stuck the thing in a big pot with new soil anyway.

The second plant I figured I would try something different. What's to lose at this point?

I know I read it here somewhere but I can't find it now. I chopped the thing right down to the corm and then with the corm upright I cut the thing into 4 pieces. I took these 4 chunks and potted them up.

Anyhow this is over a month later and I'm happy to report that the 1st ensete is alive and doing well. About two days later I noticed the spot where I'd chopped was pushing out new growth. I couldn't believe it! My girlfriend thought the rest of the plant was shrinking around the center core. Sure enough though, it was growing and began pushing out a new very white leaf in about a week. Currently its in the ground pushing out new leaves. Its almost caught up to my other ensete that pushed thru the winter okay.

The 4 chunks of corm that I potted are also showing some action. I pretty much forgot about them until last week when I pulled them out of their pots for a look. All 4 pots are full of new white roots! Is this a good sign or am I just dreaming here? Is there anything else I can do to encourage new growth at this point? Fingers crossed.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

island cassie

Sounds like you are doing fine - keep them warm and bright, and not too wet. They should take off now. Congatulations!

Cassie

sunsetsammy

Okay another little update here.

The corm(s) that I chopped into 4 pieces are now growing leaves. Each one has about 8-12 tiny sprouts coming off of it.

What do I do at this point? Will these each grow into a "bushy type" plant or do I have to separate them at some point. Will one of the sprouts become the "leader". My only experience with pups has been from Basjoo and they seem pretty easy to figure out.

Anyhow if these grow into individual plants it would seem like an easy way to increase stock of ensetes.

thanks.

Sam

Chironex

Let them grow and re-establish roots before you do any more chopping.

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