brok

I've had my banana plants for about a year and half, one (the red dwarf), has started to grow increasingly odd. I've done my research and am hoping to God its not Banana Bunchy Top. I live in Michigan. I grow my plants indoors in the winter, and transport them outside (still in their pots), in the summer. They were growing fine until about a month ago. The red dwarf started to grow suckers, and the leaves bunched at the top. I purchased them from a farmer in FL, who has been very unhelpful, and actually kind of rude.

Regardless... someone please help me!




thanks for all your help!

Jack Daw

No, that doesn't look like BTV. But I would guess that the plant is rootbound. Mine showed the same growth when there was not enough good soil in the pot and the roots were so bound, that they had to grow almost vertically (banana roots usually grow horizontally).

BTV is also very unlikely to survive in colder climates.

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Thnx to Marcel, Ante, Dr. Chiranjit Parmar and Francesco for the plants I've received.



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Gabe15

I put your photo in your post for you. When you view the photo in the gallery, you copy the text in the box directly below it labeled "Code for bulletin boards", and paste that text into thread to make it show.

There is almost no way you could have Banana Bunchy Top Virus is Michigan, so don't worry about that.

What is looks like is a combination of being root bound and a build up of salts in the soil (which is related) and often causes a "pseudo-bunchy top virus" type effect. If you are using chemical fertilizers like Miracle-Gro or Scotts, a good amount of water should be run through the container regularly to wash away the salts that build up and cause this symptom. Additionally, this happens more frequently in smaller containers, and so repotting to a larger pot would also help. A good mix for potted bananas is 1/3 perlite, 1/3 soil-less potting mix (you can use soil but it can get very heavy and difficult to move the pots around) and 1/3 compost. The compost directly in the mix really minimizes the need for additional fertilizers when growing in containers, and easily avoids the problem of salt build up.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

brok

Thanks for everyones replies! I'll purchase new pots asap and replant them...any tips for this?

THis site is great...your help was much appreciated!

Dean W.

Good luck, brok.

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Abnshrek

Well its all good.. you can breath easier knowing its just care and them getting some sun. :^)
Happy Growing

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I'm a Nannerhead :^)

brok

I've repotted them, and as predicted it was root bound. I also repotted my other plant, as they were in the same type of container, into bigger pots. Added fresh organic soil, and made sure the pots drained well.

What is the best way to care for them now? I'm sure they will go thru some form of shock phase in their new pots. Do i keep putting them in full sun, or do i keep them inside for a few weeks?

Any help..much appreciated... and thanks for everyone who helped so far!

Gabe15

Full sun is good for them. If you have had them in sun, then its fine to keep them in it. If they have been in shade for awhile, put them in a lightly shaded area for a week or so, and then to full sun. Make sure they stay well watered.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.