Banana Problem

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 02:14 PM

Hi, I have been checking the progress of my newly planted banana. For some reason its developing these huge brown spots on it. The soil is moist and i gave it a little fertilzer. I dont know what's going on with it. Can someone help me? Thanks

Bananaman88 · 09-01-2009, 03:17 PM

Is it in a pot or in the ground? I recently had something like this happen to one of my potted bananas when it got too dry.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 03:33 PM

Its planted in the ground. The soil is clay, and I checked the top inch and it was still moist. It gets mostly sun and I planted it on the southern side of my house. I water it every other day when it gets really hot outside.

ewitte · 09-01-2009, 03:37 PM

My soil is clay too less than 1ft down. I planted one of my Raja puri pups about a month ago. It was fine until we had a big rain. I saw it laying down outside the window and went to go check on it. The whole plant was mush. I'm going to be redoing it as a raised bed. It was mostly brown for about a week before it just died.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 03:41 PM

It was fine when I got it. It started doing this a little over a week ago. I hope it doesnt die. Ewitte do you think thats whats wrong with mine. The soil has a little sandy loam in it, and I put composted cow manure and mulched it. I hope the sun isnt killing it =(

ewitte · 09-01-2009, 03:48 PM

All I know is standing water can kill them fast. I doubt it is the sun I replanted serveral of my container ones in the last few months and there were lots of 100F days. The one I got from Phoenix looked pretty bad and now on its 5th leaf in about 6 weeks.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 03:58 PM

How do i know if im watering it too much. Are there any signs that I should watch for?

gadget · 09-01-2009, 04:54 PM

The new leaf looks ok in the pic. Is the plant growing? I would say it had some transplant shock and should be fine.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 05:09 PM

Yes but its growing very slowly. It had a new leaf open 2 weeks ago and the new ones now are slowly trying to open. I hope it recovers, it was a little sickly when i got it. Is there anything I can do to help it recover more? I have been wetting the leaves when its really hot outside. Thanks gadget

gadget · 09-01-2009, 07:30 PM

do not think that wetting the leafs helps, it amplifies the sun. It is good that you are giving it water at the heat of the day just not the leafs. If the new leaf is burning it needs more water or is sitting in water. Maybe dig a hole next to the banana and see how deep it is wet or if it is to wet. Most of my plants look like this when newly planted so you could be doing everything right, you just need time for it to grow.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 07:34 PM

Ok I will dig a hole tomorrow. The soil is clay so i could be giving it too much water. Thanks again Gadget

sbl · 09-01-2009, 08:15 PM

Clay soil can hold water a long time, I agree with the person that suggested a raised bed for your naner. With the clay soil, don't dig a hole and add a bunch of amendments--you are making a pot without a drain hole. One exception to that--if you have a hill or slope so that you can dig a hole that water would run out--then you can mix organic matter with the clay and fill the hole--that works real well.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 08:43 PM

Sbl is it alright to dig it up again? Should I move it to a big pot instead? I dont want to lose this plant because its my only fruiting type. I added some organic fertilizer and some composted cow manure, is it still too late to correct the problem? Thanks

sbl · 09-01-2009, 08:48 PM

If you dug a hole in clay and added amendments--it is only too late to get it out of that situation if it is dead--that is a death trap for any plant except water lillies. I would put it in a pot for now--that way you can get it thru the winter without additional disturbance.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 08:54 PM

Ok, I will dig it up and put it in a pot then. I always thought that adding organic matter would loosen up the soil. Well this is a learning experience, I just hope it isnt dying. Thanks again Sbl

sbl · 09-01-2009, 09:01 PM

It does loosen the soil and it is wonderful for your bananas-- if there is drainage. The problem you have is the clay soil around the part you amended will not let the water drain out--so it sits there and rots the roots of the plants--once the roots begin to rot the symptoms are the same as drought--causing you to water even more. When you dig it up you will find the soil is very sour--probably stinks--no oxygen.

But again--if you can design a hole that has drainage--like on a slope, that clay soil is very rich in minerals and will do well.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 09:08 PM

I guess I will move it in a pot, i have this pretty good sized pot that I can use. It has a lot of organic material ans it drains pretty good. I will have to try that because my whole yard is clay. The strange thing is that some of the clay soil drains fairly fast but it has very little organic matter and it has a high pH.

sbl · 09-01-2009, 09:17 PM

If you have an area where the hole you dig--if you fill it with water--will drain completely in a short time (less than an hr), then you could probably mix some organic matter into the soil and plant there. The kind of clay I am used to (in NC)--would still be full tomorrow. In any case I would dig your plant up and check the roots--that is probably where your problem is.

Willow87 · 09-01-2009, 09:21 PM

I'm probably going to just put it in a pot, and let it recover. It seems too high maintenance and i dont have much money to spend on anymore soil amendments lol.

gadget · 09-01-2009, 09:32 PM

it is okay to plant in clay, just do not add amendments, make sure it drains, add lots of compost and mulch to the surface. hope it works out for you.

09-01-2009, 02:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Banana Problem Hi, I have been checking the progress of my newly planted banana. For some reason its developing these huge brown spots on it. The soil is moist and i gave it a little fertilzer. I dont know what's going on with it. Can someone help me? Thanks

09-01-2009, 03:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bananaman88 Bananaculturist Bananaman88's Photo Gallery Location: Houston, TX area Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Brent Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,019 BananaBucks : 224,279 Feedback: 22 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,339 Times Was Thanked 2,263 Times in 1,178 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 191 Times	Re: Banana Problem Is it in a pot or in the ground? I recently had something like this happen to one of my potted bananas when it got too dry.

09-01-2009, 03:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem Its planted in the ground. The soil is clay, and I checked the top inch and it was still moist. It gets mostly sun and I planted it on the southern side of my house. I water it every other day when it gets really hot outside.

09-01-2009, 03:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
ewitte ewitte's Photo Gallery Location: Houston Zone: 9 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 449 BananaBucks : 51,044 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 194 Times in 107 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana Problem My soil is clay too less than 1ft down. I planted one of my Raja puri pups about a month ago. It was fine until we had a big rain. I saw it laying down outside the window and went to go check on it. The whole plant was mush. I'm going to be redoing it as a raised bed. It was mostly brown for about a week before it just died.

09-01-2009, 03:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem It was fine when I got it. It started doing this a little over a week ago. I hope it doesnt die. Ewitte do you think thats whats wrong with mine. The soil has a little sandy loam in it, and I put composted cow manure and mulched it. I hope the sun isnt killing it =(

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09-01-2009, 03:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
ewitte ewitte's Photo Gallery Location: Houston Zone: 9 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 449 BananaBucks : 51,044 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 0 Times Was Thanked 194 Times in 107 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Banana Problem All I know is standing water can kill them fast. I doubt it is the sun I replanted serveral of my container ones in the last few months and there were lots of 100F days. The one I got from Phoenix looked pretty bad and now on its 5th leaf in about 6 weeks.

09-01-2009, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem How do i know if im watering it too much. Are there any signs that I should watch for?

09-01-2009, 04:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
gadget gadget's Photo Gallery Location: tempe, AZ Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 214 BananaBucks : 33,204 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 113 Times Was Thanked 199 Times in 52 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 27 Times	Re: Banana Problem The new leaf looks ok in the pic. Is the plant growing? I would say it had some transplant shock and should be fine. __________________

09-01-2009, 05:09 PM	#9 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem Yes but its growing very slowly. It had a new leaf open 2 weeks ago and the new ones now are slowly trying to open. I hope it recovers, it was a little sickly when i got it. Is there anything I can do to help it recover more? I have been wetting the leaves when its really hot outside. Thanks gadget

09-01-2009, 07:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
gadget gadget's Photo Gallery Location: tempe, AZ Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 214 BananaBucks : 33,204 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 113 Times Was Thanked 199 Times in 52 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 27 Times	Re: Banana Problem do not think that wetting the leafs helps, it amplifies the sun. It is good that you are giving it water at the heat of the day just not the leafs. If the new leaf is burning it needs more water or is sitting in water. Maybe dig a hole next to the banana and see how deep it is wet or if it is to wet. Most of my plants look like this when newly planted so you could be doing everything right, you just need time for it to grow. __________________

09-01-2009, 07:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem Ok I will dig a hole tomorrow. The soil is clay so i could be giving it too much water. Thanks again Gadget

09-01-2009, 08:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
sbl sbl's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8/9 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,013 BananaBucks : 67,547 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 177 Times Was Thanked 732 Times in 395 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 154 Times	Re: Banana Problem Clay soil can hold water a long time, I agree with the person that suggested a raised bed for your naner. With the clay soil, don't dig a hole and add a bunch of amendments--you are making a pot without a drain hole. One exception to that--if you have a hill or slope so that you can dig a hole that water would run out--then you can mix organic matter with the clay and fill the hole--that works real well.

09-01-2009, 08:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem Sbl is it alright to dig it up again? Should I move it to a big pot instead? I dont want to lose this plant because its my only fruiting type. I added some organic fertilizer and some composted cow manure, is it still too late to correct the problem? Thanks

09-01-2009, 08:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
sbl sbl's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8/9 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,013 BananaBucks : 67,547 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 177 Times Was Thanked 732 Times in 395 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 154 Times	Re: Banana Problem If you dug a hole in clay and added amendments--it is only too late to get it out of that situation if it is dead--that is a death trap for any plant except water lillies. I would put it in a pot for now--that way you can get it thru the winter without additional disturbance.

09-01-2009, 08:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem Ok, I will dig it up and put it in a pot then. I always thought that adding organic matter would loosen up the soil. Well this is a learning experience, I just hope it isnt dying. Thanks again Sbl

09-01-2009, 09:01 PM	#16 (permalink)
sbl sbl's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8/9 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,013 BananaBucks : 67,547 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 177 Times Was Thanked 732 Times in 395 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 154 Times	Re: Banana Problem It does loosen the soil and it is wonderful for your bananas-- if there is drainage. The problem you have is the clay soil around the part you amended will not let the water drain out--so it sits there and rots the roots of the plants--once the roots begin to rot the symptoms are the same as drought--causing you to water even more. When you dig it up you will find the soil is very sour--probably stinks--no oxygen. But again--if you can design a hole that has drainage--like on a slope, that clay soil is very rich in minerals and will do well.

09-01-2009, 09:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem I guess I will move it in a pot, i have this pretty good sized pot that I can use. It has a lot of organic material ans it drains pretty good. I will have to try that because my whole yard is clay. The strange thing is that some of the clay soil drains fairly fast but it has very little organic matter and it has a high pH.

09-01-2009, 09:17 PM	#18 (permalink)
sbl sbl's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 8/9 Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,013 BananaBucks : 67,547 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 177 Times Was Thanked 732 Times in 395 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 154 Times	Re: Banana Problem If you have an area where the hole you dig--if you fill it with water--will drain completely in a short time (less than an hr), then you could probably mix some organic matter into the soil and plant there. The kind of clay I am used to (in NC)--would still be full tomorrow. In any case I would dig your plant up and check the roots--that is probably where your problem is.

09-01-2009, 09:21 PM	#19 (permalink)
Willow87 Willow87 Willow87's Photo Gallery Location: Plano, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8a Name: Cameron Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,815 BananaBucks : 122,865 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,016 Times Was Thanked 2,524 Times in 1,487 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 6 Times	Re: Banana Problem I'm probably going to just put it in a pot, and let it recover. It seems too high maintenance and i dont have much money to spend on anymore soil amendments lol.

09-01-2009, 09:32 PM	#20 (permalink)
gadget gadget's Photo Gallery Location: tempe, AZ Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 214 BananaBucks : 33,204 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 113 Times Was Thanked 199 Times in 52 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 27 Times	Re: Banana Problem it is okay to plant in clay, just do not add amendments, make sure it drains, add lots of compost and mulch to the surface. hope it works out for you. __________________

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