Having trouble with banana trees

Discussion in 'Trees, Shrubs and Roses' started by Pinkiered, Jun 5, 2006.

  1. Pinkiered

    Pinkiered The Rose Queen

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    I grew them over in Jacksonville, Fl but the pups of the mother tree arent doing so well over here in Lafayette, La. I have gotten two more different kinds of banana trees. One is a mini, for pretties only. The other produces bananas.

    None are doing too great. Im not sure why. The only one that is doing half way ok is one of the minis I have potted under the tree, in the Gnome Dome.

    The one pup from last year is growing but the leaves are yellow and not healthy looking. Even the leaves that are opening are openning dead brown and yellow. Im not sure whats going on.

    The banana tree that produces bananas , the leaves are openning just fine but are folding up as soon as they are open. They are all now hangging limp. Heres pic of where I dug it up from about 2 months ago. This is in my sisters backyard.This what its suppose to look like!:rolleyes:
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    I water them everyday, as banana trees are hungery feeders. I feed them every two weeks.

    Im doing nothing different then I did last year to the mother banana tree over in Jax. Here the mother tree of the pups. I took this last year about late summer or early fall.
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    There seems to be a little hotter here and they get no shade from the harsh afternnon sun. Could that be it? Can someone help me? I have lovely trees that I really dont want to lose! Im willing to try anything! We are talking about moving all of them to the Gnome Dome. But they will have to be potted because of the tree roots over there.

    The pups from last year will get over 6 ft and the one that produces bananas will get over 9ft. Can they be grown in a large pot?

    Thanks in advance!

    Below are pics of the banana trees....

    One of the pups from last year, the brown on top in the center is the newest leaf that openned dying.
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    The banana tree that produces bananas
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    Both mini Banana trees ...One is potted (is going to my sisters)and sits under the tree in the Gnome Dome. The smaller one sits in a little flower bed out in full sun. I took pics of the underneathe of the leaves. They are suppose to be dark red (like the first one) with a metallic look to it.
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    The one that sits in the little bed
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  3. glendann

    glendann Official Garden Angel

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    I have never had one pinkiered .I think they are so pretty .I wish I could help you but maybe someone can.
    I have seen them grow only in shade so that may be the problem. Good Luck
     
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  4. brombear

    brombear Seedling Plants Contributor

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    sad bananas

    it may be the temperature and light difference, but generaaly as thye come form tropics and strive for the rainforest roof, neither should be a problem. one thing easy to overlook- bananas love humidity. hot air can mean vbery dry air, Grow heaps of other plants around them to create a microclimate and up the humidity. While establishing, you could erect a bit of plastic or shadecloth over/ around to create a bit of closeness also. Or could put rocks in tray of water underneath etc. Rememeber where plants come from. Many plants are amazingly tough and adaptable, but at the end of the day, this is a rainforest plant.
     
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  5. brombear

    brombear Seedling Plants Contributor

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    more sad banana thoughts

    Many tropical things like warm air but cool roots- is the ground baking?

    It's not a fungal wilt- they don't sound like they are overwatered ..but? and soil is well draining but rich and loamy?

    also try some dilute seaweed emulsion- very nourisheing and boosting for immunity. spray and water in as well.

    yes, it makes me sad to hear of your sad nanas. good luck
     
  6. brombear

    brombear Seedling Plants Contributor

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    one last thought

    sorry, one last thought. Root hairs on plants are microscopic, you can't see them, but they are the roots responsible for the uptake of nutrients and water. They are so fine that they are easily damaged during replanting etc. You just have to wait for them to grow back. So maybe back off a little on the water, - because it does look like a rot- definitely try the seaweed emulsion (1/4 strength) nurse the plant with humidity etc, and just let it settle in but don't stimulate it too much. :stew1:
     

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