natedogg1026

Can anyone tell me why my red ab. is shootin craps? I bought it at local nursery and it did good for about a week but now the leaves are dying off and turning yellow and brown on the edges. Some of the leaves are even bending in half but she has added several leaves since I got her. She is well taken care of and I' m not new to nanas but this is my first esente. My other 15 nanas are doing great and recieve the same care. I went to my friends house the other day and his is doing the same thing. He suggested less sun but I'm not sure. Maybe a disease? They are in good organic soil and get all the sun and water they need. Does this plant require special care? Any knowledge would be greatlly appreciated!

__________________
Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

Carolina

natedogg - You said "get all the sun and water they need". What exactly is that, if you don't mind me asking

Mine also are still not doing so great. Well, they're growing just fine but losing color. Too much sun, or too little sun? Can't decide if I may be overwatering or underwatering?

natedogg1026

It gets watered daily. Drenched. It's been 103 all week. Thats how I treat all the others in August and they grow like weeds. At least a leaf a week. Don't get me wrong, it is growing at a good rate but even the new leaves come out with some brown and yellow spots. It gets sun from 3 on but now recieves the same light but in a slightly shaded spot. I just don't understand why it has blemishes on its new leaves. ???

__________________
Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

natedogg1026

Should clarify that it is a potted plant in good draining rich organic soil and that is one reason it is drenched daily.

__________________
Banana's are a safe addiction. Right?Maybe I need classes.

Steve in France

Just a thought , have you picked up the pot to see how much water it's holding ? Sometimes I drench a pot every day and because of too many roots or a channel in the compost that has developed the pot is light of water. Sometimes it's just so hot that the plant pulls all the water out of the pot in half a day, I've been watering twice a day for the last month. Pot cuture is a pain sometimes.
Later
steve

__________________
Always looking for a lost pup

Lagniappe

An easy way way to ensure proper irrigation (in this august heat ) is to immerse your pot in a vat . This is often easier said than done but if you are able to set your pot in a vat / pot of water for 10-30 minutes you will save water and soak every inch of medium . Be sure , however , that your plant is in need of this type of hydration . You could have a drainage issue as well.
The more drainage holes the merrier and it's a good idea to line the base of your pot with a few inches of styrofoam peanuts or gravel to prevent 'wet feet' .

Fcastro

Maybe it's the sun and heat .I wonder about this plant and it's sun hardiness. I'm on my 3rd one, the other two were burned to a crisp in April, it's a lot hotter now than it was then. Anyone else have this problem ?

bananimal

My research tells me that Maurelii needs shade --- period. In S Fla that means under mature trees or on the north side of the house. Early morning and late afternoon sun is good.

But the main problem is the friggin spider mites. Stress from all shade in a pot; stress from all day sun - potted or in ground and stress from starting out from wimpy TC nursery stock - they are all killers. The spider mites take full advantage of this. I noticed a "distinct stink" that my first one gave off after the bugs were entrenched. Catchy phrase, eh?

My last one came from Stokes and it came robust. Potted for a month now with good new growth. It goes on the north side, which conveniently is the main entry. But now, since the fruit is inedible, I will use a systemic insecticide to keep the bugs DEAD, DEAD, DEAD!!! Orthene, da da, the weapon of last resort. Really folks, gettin' tired of buying this plant again and again!

Once it takes, it is a big water eater - important in Fla for the north side plant beds. Haven't given up yet.

Dan

JoeS475

My Red Abyssinian is also in a pot. Some of the leaves come out more fragile and vulnerable to burning after fertilizing (Miracle Grow, Tomato Food 20-20-20). It is my fastest grower, and gets lots of water.

It initially got full sun and did great. Due to construction it was moved to mostly shade with direct late afternoon sun. It lost colour and speed and seemed more likely to burn. Now it is back in all day FULL sun, the colour is VERY red, and it is stronger and faster than ever. Water every 2-3 days, highs in the 80's and 90's.

Hope this provides some insight,

~Joe

Dan: Maybe the difference is the intensity of the Florida sun compared to that of New Jersey, although in mid summer it is still intense here. Also I've no sign of spider mites on the Maurelli, or any other bananas. However my Musella Lasiocarpa gets covered in them no matter what!!!

__________________

nucci60

mine was ripping up its new leaves before they emerged, it starts and stops. it seems that a leave that has emerged will start getting black and dried on the edges after a couple of weeks. Mine gets morning sun and temps have not been over 90F. It is potted. I use a moisture meter so I know it is getting enough water. good cheap investment.

Fcastro

It's a shame that such a potentially awesome plant has to be so wimpy ! I'd love to have a huge one right in the middle of the yard, stopping traffic and causing wrecks ! lol!

nucci60

my pseudostem keeps getting thicker but it is not really growing in height. It is a very "squat" banana, but maybe it's just mine. I saw three growing in a yard in Ft.Lauderdale that knocked my socks off. They had about five feet of stem and not a mark on the leaves. I am going to try to put mine into dormancy this winter and see if it works. It still atracts attention in Massachusetts LOL.