Hi all:

Being a new member of this forum, please pardon me if what I include in this message has been discussed many times over; but I have finally found a site that is dedicated to the one tree that depicts my passion for the garden.

A friend recently presented my wife with a banana tree. We live in Ocala, Florida and it's extremely common to see these trees survive in this climate, although they do not bare any fruit.

I have a "huge" problem. When the plant was first put in the ground, perhaps two weeks ago, the bottom leaves started changing color -- then they were totally black. For aesthetic reasons, I clipped them off. The tree is a relatively new plant and is no more than two feet tall, give or take an inch or so.

Now, however, the tree is changing drastically. There is evidence of a change in the color of the trunk, to a brownish color and some of the leaves are also changing, some with a "black to brown" hue and now with yellow on the fringes.

When I first planted the tree, I gave it plenty of water. Since it first started changing its color, I feared that it was getting too much water, so I stopped watering it as much. I used "Miracle Gorw" on the plant as well.

The plant is situated in a place where it will generally receive direct (or mostly direct) sunlight from about 1 in the afternoon until dusk.

Doesa anyone have any suggestions for me? My wife just "loves" this tree and I would hate to see it die. You may feel free to contact me at mea305@aol.com

Thanks,

Mark

Probable causes:

Too much water
Fertilizing too soon
Too much sun too soon, especially afternoon sun with the ozone layer being as it is in this day and age.

This banana is probably dead as I write but maybe this info will help with your next plant.

---

Make your words soft and sweet; you just may have to eat them someday.

Recently I took my plants outside to give them a little sun and I found the same thing you are describing was happening to my plants. The difference being that my plants are in pots, so what I would recomend you do right away if there is a chance of saving this one is plant it in a area on your property where it is partly shaded so it is not in the direct sun, also try not watering as often and only fertilize once a month and go easy on the fertilizer you put in the water. One tablespoon per gallon of water seems to work best as it is not too little and not too much. I hope you the best with this plant.

I am replying to the member who stated that my banana tree was probably gettting too much sun, too much water or fertilizer. I can appreciate what he or she is saying, but I had a horticulturist recently visit me -- and the plant was moved from behind an oak tree to an area where the plant would obtain the best sun -- he first cut it down to the bare bottom, leaving no leaves; then it just "took off!" He told me that these plants require a lot of sun and water at least twice a day.

Perhaps if I lived a little fruther south in Florida (I am now in Ocala), I would have to reconsider this; but for the time being, the plant is doing quite well. This does not mean, however, that the reply(ies) were not appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark