I planted this guy a couple months ago. Not sure of the name, but it is a banana plant that does not produce bananas. New leaves are lasting only a short period of time before they turn brown and wither away. It is in sun most of the day. What can I do to make this plany healthier?
Looking forward to the answer as I have the same issue with what looks like the same plant. Thanks for posting. Mine is only in the sun for a bit in the AM and I have fertilized it with palm food.
That banana is one I've always known of as Ensete maurelii. See this DG link:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/38383/
These are very susceptible to a kind of beetle that bores into the rhizome, but they are also reputed to be more susceptible to some of the diseases of "regular" bananas.
I once had a very large specimen that was destroyed by the burrowing beetles. When Lindane was on the market, that was the remedy. After Lindane went off the market, Lannate was what had to be used.
Here's another link for more info:
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?Code=C542
LariAnn
Gardnerkett-yours looks like either too much fertilizer (brown along the edges of the leaves) or not enough water-but i suspect it is too much fert.
pdabill-is it possible for you to take a picture of the whole plant? I would like to see the whole thing-i.e how many healthy leaves to damaged ones etc.
Thanks so much, for the suggestions and the links! Very informative.
Tigerlily, I don't think its too much fert. only one small application, but it could be too little water, just had my irrigation system upgrades, so I will watch to see if that helps.
I have 2 of this specie and had done well. I water them everyday and only use miracle grow for fertlizer. I will take a picture of them in AM. One is Huge and will occupy a big space in our sunroom. Both of my plants are in pots. I would suggests digging it up and check the roots and try to save it. They are very pricey. Bellie
Thanks for the feedback so far. The picture I posted has most of the plant in the picture. There are only 4 healthy leaves now. I have removed probably 5 brown/destroyed leaves since I planted it about 10-12 weeks ago. It seems what is happening is that new leaves come up, are OK for 3-4 weeks, then start deteriorating.
Bellie, interesting you mentioned these are expensive. I found this one for only $20 here in SoFL!
The big ones that I have was $99.00 but it is huge. I will take pix in AM. Bellue
Well, I got excited for a bit, as mine was looking better and better (maybe it was the cooler weather) then I looked at it today and now it has big holes being eaten in it. See the pic.
I have an adorable little green frog that sleeps in the middle of it all day, so I hate to spray it with anything.
Any suggestions?
My sleeping green frog
Overall,
It reminds me of the leafroller damage in my Canna's.
This is such a pretty plant, but it looks like its been through the mill!
