caliboy1994

I was checking on my Ice Cream today and I found this:



To me, this looks like a rotted root. I saw the same root yesterday and it looked perfectly fine. Now it's all rotted! The last several leaves on my plant have been getting lighter and lighter, and I've suspected root rot for some time now. Here's a picture of the newly emerged leaf:



The growth of the plant has also slowed down by about 50% (the daily 95+ degree heat is probably contributing to this), it makes a new leaf every one and a half weeks now. This slowed growth rate has been pretty consistent for almost the past month. It's planted in compost and under that is a layer of gypsum (to help break down the thick layer of clay that's naturally found in the soil here a few feet down). At one point I was overwatering it, but now I'm letting sprinklers do most of the watering (it's planted right next to a sprinkler). I also just fertilized it a few days ago with 6-4-6 probiotic organic fertilizer. So what's the deal here? Is the thick layer of clay causing water to pool underneath the plant? What should I do about it? Peroxide or something? And is it really root rot and not a nutrient deficiency or something? Help would be greatly appreciated!

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palmtree

It might be the sprinklers are too close. I let my in ground ice cream dry out a little bit (then again, we have been getting a HUGE amount of rain here lately and it is very humid so watering my plants in the ground hasn't been necessary). I think its a watering issue. Is the ground constantly moist?
I also have clay soil in my yard and during the cool spring rains, the tropicals in the ground suffer a bit since they have pretty "wet feet".

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caliboy1994

Thanks for the advice. I might have to move it then. The top of the soil is only a bit moist unless it's after waterings. The soil a few inches under is constantly moist. I guess an alternative would be to put something in front of the sprinkler? Anyways, if I do fix the watering problem, should I use peroxide to get rid of the rot? I appreciate it.

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Nicolas Naranja

I wouldn't use peroxide. If its 95 degrees outside you would probably have a hard time overwatering. You might want to give mycorrhizae a try. They will help the plant take up nutrients from the soil and compete with any other types of fungi or bacteria trying to colonize your roots.

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caliboy1994

Thanks. I'll give it a try. But I still think I should move it because the sprinkler might ruin it during wintertime. I have another spot in my yard that receives about the same amount of sun and is not near a sprinkler that might be a good spot.

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palmtree

I would definitely move it. Your climate is mild enough for you to get away with moving tropical plants late in the summer. Try to keep as many roots as possible when digging it out, and add some fertilizer when it gets planted in its new spot. Some leaves may wilt, and if that becomes a problem, cut a few of them off.

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Location: New York City, zone 7b

ron_mcb

i have a super dwarf Cavendish that has always had light streaks in the leaves.. Ive moved it and have amended the soil and it looks the same. this is the only one besides the ones that are obviously variegated that show more than one solid color.. the leave come out big like all the others because they have a healthy root system.

mine is not rotting its making pups that are the same. you can check out the pictures if you like.

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caliboy1994

Thanks. Looks like I'm moving it then. And by the way, a thunderstorm just rolled in today...

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caliboy1994

And if I move it, won't it stress it? That wouldn't be the best thing for it, especially late in the growing season. As of now I put a bucket over the sprinkler to cover it so it doesn't water it, and I'm going to let the soil dry out for a bit. It's planted in compost (the gardeners planted it), and I don't think that's the best of soil for it, especially with the layer of clay in the soil here. I really don't want to have to move it since it's a nice little spot. But if I do move it, I can plant it in something more suitable such as cactus mix with perlite mixed in. Any other suggestions?

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sunfish

Adjust the sprinkler.

caliboy1994

But should I change the soil? I don't think compost drains very well.

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sandy0225

I'd adjust the sprinkler or disable it and then the problem should take care of itself. Chronic overwatering will cause the leaves to get lighter and lighter, just like nitrogen deficiency will. There is a problem with clay soil. Even if you amend a large area, the larger area around the hole will still hold the water just the same. In other words, you cause a "bathtub" of nice soil, but it will still be too wet. Better off to just let the plant adjust to the clay to start with. You can use something like a welding rod, or rebar and poke little holes all around it to make more air flow and drainage.

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caliboy1994

I'll try that and see if it helps.

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caliboy1994

One thing that I've been noticing on the newer leaves is that one side is always lighter than the other. And on the most recently made leaf the pink edges weren't even there when it first emerged (but now that the leaf is a bit more mature the edges are slightly pink and the leaf has turned a little darker). I'm going to have it replanted in cactus soil with 20% PERLITE this Friday, so hopefully that helps.

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caliboy1994

You know what, I think I'm going to get a second opinion on this. I'm going to make another thread.

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~ Masanobu Fukuoka

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