Bob

My friend from extreme south Florida sent me this note yesterday. I haven't had any didease problems so didn't know what to immediately advise. On further inquiry there are no leaf streak or other symptoms of the common disease I know more about. Here's the email:

OK there BananaBob I gots a question for you. One by one my banana trees are flopping over and dying. First I lost my apple banana trees. The stalks would grow to about half height and then flop over just under where the leaves sprout. When I dug up the corm it was black and smelled like rotten potatoes. The next group in line is starting to do the same thing, two had bunches on them for almost two months. Any ideas as to what is causing it?

His other variety I know of is Raja Puri which might be the next group in line he was refering to.

Any ideas or suggestions?

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Nicolas Naranja

That sounds like Panama Disease...especially since it is making a mess of apple bananas

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Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

Richard

I'd try to control it with copper ammonium.

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Nicolas Naranja

If he has panama disease, which in Apple bananas would be Race 1, he will just have to switch to a different variety that is resistant to Race 1. There are no known chemical means of controlling it and it can last in the soil for more than 30 years. Does this friend happen to live in the Miami/Homestead Area?

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Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

Bob

Thanks all yes he says he is about an hour south of Homestead. I forget the name of his town.

oh and I of course meant "Advice" on the title. Boy do I hate spelling errors when I am the one making them!

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Dalmatiansoap

Haha, what do U think how do I feel about that?

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Jack Daw

Sweet.

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Bob

Yeah.....Yeah......I know

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Caloosamusa

I think Nicolas is correct about the fusarium (Panama Disease). Try only disease resistant cultivars. It is a tough way to gain experience.

adrift

Unless that 1 hour was on a bicycle, it would be called "Key Something." Homestead is like the next best thing to the south end of mainland florida.

But yep, sounds like the the big bad "P" disease is upon him.

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frog7994

you should have your friend join the group.

lorax

Yup, that's fusarium wilt alright. Poor guy - if it's race 1, which is quite likely as Nick points out due to the Apple bananas being affected, he's going to have to stick to resistant cultivars until it's run its course. Which is about 25-30 years.

Sucks.

Bob

Hey James, I've asked him when he was up here in July and he's seen the site. I'll ask him again when he calls later on tonight. The only plants he found interesting was siam ruby. I may check out the viability of the FHIA 23 for him, just out of memory I think it may be resistant.

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Bob

Thanks lorax, I'm checking on some new ones for him.....don't think us old farts can wait that long............at least here I can grow what I want....6 months a year.

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lorax

You're not old until you drool while watching football. The FHIA cultivars, particularly #23, are likely your best bet until I can get you the Race 1 resistant Maqueños. Stupid EC govt.

Bob

Does this apply when the Giants are in the superbowl?.....if not I'm still ok!

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frog7994

Well I had no luck with siam ruby lost both very quicly I think the FHIA group should much better for him.

Bob

I guess I'll send him a #23 pup and see how it goes down there. Then invite myself down for some fruit!

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