I have a banana tree that I was given as a gift. First of all, I live in MN. The parent plant is also in MN, but I don't know what species it is. I used to live in West Africa and had about 3 acres of bananas, and they were very easy to keep. The one I have did quite well until about 3 weeks ago. The leaves are turning brown and I am afraid that it is starting to die. I water it when it is dry, mist the leaves daily, and give it Miracle Gro about once a week. Any advice? I really don't want it to die!! Thank you so much!!

Hi Kgribauval,

How much direct sunlight is your tree getting? Are the leaves growing in full size or getting smaller over time?

Don

The tree is directly in front of a 10 x 6 foot window that faces southwest. The leaves were growing in full size. Now the most recent leaf has not completely unfurled and it has been opening up for about 2 months now. I currently have only 4 leaves left and they are starting to turn brown as well. I am seriously worried that it won't make it. Thanks for any help/advice you can give me!

Kelly

Well,

I would guess one of two things is going on...Your plant needs more water more often or it might be going dormant (although I doubt this last one).

The more water idea is because:

1. Homes are dryer in the winter from the heater running and

2. Because sometimes plants get more sun in the winter due to more direct sunlight coming in (different angle of the sun) and less folige on outside trees or bushes.

Don

P.S. Have you looked at the underside of the leaves to check for spider mites?

Probably pests. Mine have gotten various one's in the greenhouse. Spidermite, Whiteflies, Mealibugs. But I'd be careful fertalizer this early. And easy on the water, they don't need much in Feb.-Nate

---

Can you say, Siam Ruby?

What zone are you in? If your in a zone that has freezing weather, stop fertilizing it with the miracle grow! Water only once or twice a month! How is your plant now? Do you have any pictures?

---

Quote:

glad to see ya here nate

---

Hey Kitty, What's shakin. I see a few of us have ventured to new territory.

---

Can you say, Siam Ruby?

I will try and get a picture of the banana posted. It's really in a sorry state. There are no bugs on it that I can tell. I have only been watering it 2 times a month (no fertilizer since December) misting the leaves daily, and now I have a humidifier in the room with it.

The banana is indoors in Minnesota. I hadn't fertilized it before the leaves started turning brown. I did that for about a month and there was no change in the health of the plant.

natedogg this is the first forum i joined when i started with nanas. its a little slow here but it will be alright. i like the mods and admin here as well. arachnid who goes over there is one of the mods here. hes really into bromiliads. you have got to see his pics.. cookiecow came over here too for a while. so is magic green

---

it almost sounds like its not getting enough sun. or not enough water. natedogg what you think?

---

I do beleive the plant is just dormant, I'll have to do a search on this forum to see how to post a pic, so you can see mine. They dont look their best!
Iam new to bananas, but all research ive done, and folks ive talked to say this is par for the course for us with freezing winters. Unless.............You have a greenhouse to overwinter the bananas in!

I have one, and I'll be getting it ready with weatherization, heater, fan, thermostat for late this years end!

I read on another site about horticulture oil applied top and bottom of leafs only, not stem: That the leaves were able to stay green all winter without drying up and turning brown!

I have those big ugly leaves on mine too! But those are the bananas that are 4 & 5ft tall! I have them in the basement where its cooler. I rigged up a homemade greenhouse in the basement by stapling clear plastic to the rafters, and doubling the plastic once. I also put a humidifier in there, in case there were spider mites! I have a light on at least 12 to 14 hrs a day; unless my husband forgets again and turns it off!

On the other hand.........My babies that I've grown from corms this winter are beautiful. They are still young nanners but they are growing well. Keep posting and let us know how your doing!

Maybe somebody else can jump in with more experience and help us out here.

Hi Natedog, its Lynn

---

Quote:

morning lynn!!!!

---

It's really frustrating because I used to grow bananas as a crop in Africa. Everything that I used to do just does not apply when you have a banana indoors in Minnesota. Then again, not the best location for a banana. I didn't think that the dry winter air would be a problem. I had cavendash bananas growing on the Senegal river a stone's throw (10 miles) from the start of the Sahara and they did wonderfully. I just had to protect them from wind.