The new leaves on my bananas are not able to unfold because the previous leaf doesn't open all the way. The previous leaf starts to open but then the end of it gets really crisp and turns brown. I can peel back the leaf to let the new one free but then I have a tree full of shredded leaves and it doesn't keep it from happening again.

I have only had one other banana plant and it was extemely low maintenance, so I am at a loss as to what is causing this or what to do about it.

The plant is in the ground, it has two stalks about 6' and several others between 6" and 2', only the tall stalks are having this problem. I don't know what other information would be helpful in diagnosing this, but if anyone can help me I will certainly be grateful.

I've had the same problem, but it happened when my banana was totally pot-bound and needed a larger home. I'm unable currently to get my plants in the ground, and being in NJ its not too practical. But whenever they need more room the leaves don't come all the way out before the next starts.

The only possible idea I have is if there is an underground obstacle blocking the roots from growing, but I am by no means an expert...

Good Luck,

~Joe

Aloha,
I've never had a problem like yours with my banana trees. I do get it with my gingers which I grow in pots. I live in the UP of MI where the air can get really dry especially during the winter. The leaves grow out like normal but they don't unravel and the tips turn crispy dry. Then the next leaf tries to grow through the prevous one and get all twisted. Is that the same with your banana?

My solution was to raise the humidity in the room and water my gingers more often. Since you live in CA, this years humidity may be lower than when you had your last banana plant. Or this plant may be growing in a more windy location.

I know it's CA where water can be a commodity, but water this particular plant more often especially the center of the leaves and see if that works. Compare the growing conditions of your last banana plant with that of this one and duplicate the older environent if you can.

It may take time until a new leaf grows though before you can tell if there is any improvement. But before that happens I would cut all the damaged leaves off. This will not hurt the plant as damaged leaves use more energy than they give back to the plant. And the trunk of the plant will take over the manufacturing of energy(the trunk is really made up leaves anyway) for the plant. Oh, and feed like crazy. Banana trees love to eat! Eat and drink, that is what these plants love the most.

I hope this helps. If you have more questions, write again and I'll see if I can give more details.
Aloha, KAHOA

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Aloha,
I re-read your message and it appears that since it only happens to the taller stalks, it's a humidity problem probably caused by wind...ie windburn.

What to do? Unless there are details I've missed or don't know of, I'd say dig up the plant and move it to a more sheltered spot. Or create a windbreak above 6'(which might be impractical).

Again, lop off the tops. They'll grow back. The stalks will be more easy to move around without all those damaged leaves and the plant will need less water to get through any transplant shock. With Bakerfield, CA climate and latitude, you'll have plenty of time before the weather gets too cool for the plant to grow well.

Again if you have questions your'e welcome to write again.
Aloha, KAHOA

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they leaves growing inside of leaves is very common with high bread banana tree growers - when you place a tree in a very fresh high nutriant ground it takes up a very high amount of nutrients - when you water your tree or get a heavy storm it tends to make the leaves swell up while they are still in the trunk - they way the tree works is it produces a leaf and relies on the next leaf to push it through the top and out so if your having the leave enlarging themselves due to good nutient intake and lots of watering this will happen .

fix,
slow down on the water when possible and spray a fine mist of water in the crown once and a while when this is happening to help dislodge when the wind moves the leaves around - when the tree adapts to the grounds nutriant level it will stop.