Scary leaves on my new banana

One week ago I purchased a Musa Zebrina (Blood Banana). It put out a very beautiful happy new leaf after a couple of days. Then yesterday the second leaf fully opened and it looks AWFUL. It has a mottled brown blotch a little larger than a silver dollar toward the bottom and one whole side of the leaf is extremely thin, mottled, fleshy and curled up. The day I bought it, I repotted it in Miracle Gro Moisture control potting mix with a handful of compost mixed in. I've kept it evenly moist and haven't let it dry out. It gets 4 or 5 hours of morning sun and an hour or two later in the day. Am I doing something wrong or is it a pest/disease?

You are not alone. The Musa Z. is a very tricky and unforgiving beast. I've almost given up trying to please mine.

But the photos that other people have posted of their MZ's looks incredible! I want mine to look like theirs!!! (Stomping feet and gritting teeth!) LOL
Should I cut the leaf off?

This message was edited May 23, 2004 6:44 PM

(egads! I remember Sleestacks from Saturday mornings "Land of the Lost"..... sorry, couldn't help but to comment on the name :0)

No dont cut the leaf off. I have had leaves come out looking pretty nappy and pale. They will frequently darken and look better. There are several reasons for a leaf that is less than perfect. Too much water, not enough water, recent change, recent transplant, not enough sun, etc. Wait and see.

Thanks, rylaff!
I'll take your advice and see what happens. There's a new leaf coming and it should be out in a day or two... hopefully it will look better. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Try not to get any water inside a rolled up new leaf,for when the sun hits it it warms up and distorts the leaves,also to much fertilizer will burn a leaf as well,make sure you have good drainage,or root rot will set in,until the temps really get hot,don't overwater.

I didn't know Zebrinas were fussy. Don't tell mine that, lol.
I'd give that one time to grow. It may just be the recent transplant, or maybe the MG potting soil had too much fertilize in it.

i don't fertilize mine. i just water them. i have 2 new pups on it as we speak.

Cala ... they are not fuzzy at all. i kept them on the 'dry' side all winter long. when the tempt got warmer, i only water them. will post photo in the morning.

try some chelated iron, like we use on Hibiscus plants.just a suggestion! Elaine

The reaction "could" be due to the Miracle Gro potting soil... Our experience with bananas - we have 180 producing apple bananas, Musa Zebrinas and some other ornamentals...is that a 10-5-40 fert and/or lots of ash from the firepits does wonders. They, here, guzzle fertilizer high in Potassium...and tons of water...yes, on/in the leaves...nearly 160" annually...

My Zebrinas live in composted soil, water and monthy manure chicken manure tea watering. They are in full sun and go through drought and floods often. They are wonderfully splashed and health. Not fussy here in zone 8 and they freeze down every year. They are currently being overcrowded by Canna Intrigue. I must move all that Intrigue of the Musas and their pups. :-(

Chicken manure tea... can I buy that at a garden center? Because live chickens are rare here in the middle of the city!!! :-)