Bananers

Hi,
Well,my banana seems to be doing good.
I am getting 2 leaves about every week and a half. Every leaf that is coming out now is a bit larger then the last and I am starting to see some(although small) growth in height. I stepped up watering and feed for it as well.

But the leaves look terrible...they are torn and spotty and to me just plain ugly. Also they are getting the brown spots on them before they are completely unraveled.
I am also noticing that the leaves are bleeding...or should I say they are dripping water from the tears and elsewhere.

Any suggestions on what I could do to help the leaves from getting the brown spots,tears and the water dripping from them?

Thank you

mikevan

Are the plants out in the wind? If so, it's natural - call it the island look. The brown spots can be from cold tapwater spraying on hot leaves, perhaps? Or insect damage? Or even some sun scortching.

Water dripping from the leaves - that can be a symptom of overwatering. My taro and many houseplants do this when their soil has been thoroughly soaked. Reduce the watering a little and see what happens. So long as the soil is moist, the nanner should be happy. As to the torn leaves - you can move the plant to a more sheltered location, or if it's inground, plant natural windbreaks around them.

Be well,
Mike

Bananers

Hi Mike,
Yes,the plant is out in the wind. We were actually thinking that had a lot to do with it,but I just wanted to ask the pros about it. The Island Look...I like that.
As for the spots...we can rule out cold tap water on the leaves,as I am careful not to get any on them.
The sun scorching sounds like the best answer as I have never seen an insect around the plant at any time.

I will cut back on the water some...I usually water every couple of days and let the hose run on it at a constant drip for about an hour or two.
I guess I should start figuring out what I am going to plant for a wind break to save the leaves from getting ripped up(that's where the water dripping is coming from as well...the rips and tears.) and maybe something to shade it with as well to help the brown spots?

Thanks for the help Mike now I know that the things I described can be easily remedied.

momoese

Youcan also get those spots from over fertilizing with a soluble miracle grow type of fert. If you are growing organic then that's not the problem.

Bananers

Hi Mitchel,
I am using Fish Emulsion and Liquid Seaweed but I also use Triple Sixteen.
I wonder if one of those is causing the problem?
On the Fish Emulsion I use 2 tablespoons per gallon of water.
The Liquid Seaweed I use one capful to one gallon of water.
And the Triple Sixteen varies from about 10-12 teaspoons.
I alternate these each time I feed the plant.
I also have been putting on some Manure as well but I haven't added any in awhile so I doubt its that,that could be causing the brown spots.


Thank you

mikevan

Be aware that most of the pests that torment our plants are nocturnal. So, you would have to catch them at night. Pics of the spots may help. A nibble can create these spots easily as the leaf browns a bit around the bite.

Be well,
Mike

momoese

How often are you feeding the triple 16?

Bananers

Hi Mike,
Doh,I didn't even think of the nocturnal pests(I should have thought of that). I will snap some pictures tomorrow to post up for you all to look at.

Hi Mitchel ,
I have been feeding the Triple sixteen about once a month give or take a week or two.
The rest of the time I use the other feed I mentioned but only a gallon at a time.

I didn't think I could over do it with the Fish Emulsion or the Liquid Seaweed as they are pretty low NPK numbers.
As for the Triple Sixteen I have read you could dump a bunch on at a time but I have just been giving it the 10-12 teaspoons at a time.

Thank you for your help guys its very much appreciated.
Les

momoese

How about showing a picture of the problem.

Bananers

Hi Mitchel,

Here are a collection of pictures showing the rips/tears,brown spots and holes.
I also noticed that there is a white powder substance on the plant as well?
There are also pictures showing the pup when it first sprouted and where its at now with the same problem as the mother plant.
Hopefully the pictures are clear enough for you all to get a good idea as to the condition of the plants.
Please let me know if they are not and I will try and get better pictures to post.

Thank you for all your help
Les

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/9914/leafs01ah7.jpg

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/1459/leaf02zt0.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8025/leaf03bk1.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3678/leaf04yx4.jpg

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/8828/leaf05kx8.jpg

mikevan

That looks like damage at the spear stage. Something - a snail or grasshopper or even just a stiff wind or sun-scortch - is causing superficial damage to the spear and it's growing out to look like that. Mine gets that periodically. Dunno about the white stuff - could just be white stuff, or powdery mildew. But - powdery mildew usually occurs when there's high humidity, low light and poor air circulation - doesn't look like that's the case for you.

Be well,
Mike

momoese

Looks like a little sun scortch from when the leaf had yet to unfurl. I don't see a problem there.

The white powder is normal. Some think it's a natural lubrication for the newly emerging leaves. Some plants have more than others.

Just keep doing what your doing and they will be fine.

Bananers

Hi Mike and Mitchel,

You guys are great.
I feel much better knowing there isn't anything wrong.

Thank you both for all your help and great advice I really appreciate it.

AnnaJW

Uh, oh. You just asked - and had answered - a question that I had. I was feeding my garden about a week ago with the "easy spray" Miracle-Grow. Since I was already around the banana's, I sprayed them, too. Almost all of them have "burned" looking leaves.

__________________
-Anna Banana -

Living my life in MMORPG's

jmilligan1976

Bananers......
I also suffer from the intense dry heat here in Nor Cal Zone 9B.
My plants easily sunburn in their early stages and even my large plants sometimes get a scorch mark or dry patch while unfurling.
I have found some species much more tolerant of the dry miserable heat and reorganize my plantings to accomodate the sensitive plants with more shade from trees or the tolerant plants that are taller.
Keep on misting....and pray for that delta breeze!

__________________
Because growing a plant suited to your climate is just too simple.........

Bananers

Hi jmilligan1976,
My last leaf uncurled a few days ago(2 foot long)and the next Leaf is almost all the way out...so I can say I am getting about 2 leaves a week now.
The last leaf looks much better then the others with a couple of small spots but that's it...I don't know how long that appearance will last though.
I will keep your idea in mind though on selecting plants to accommodate the sensitive plants.

Hi Anna,
Sorry to hear about your leaves. I hope it didn't cause to much damage?