I just want a little advice. In the heat and humidity of Summer my tree grew faster than I thought imaginable an grew into a very large plant by my standards. However, living in the NE I had to bring it in to save it from the frigid temps. That was in October. It's mid January now and my plant has not grown a lick since October. I've kept these trees indoor before and realize that they are just hybernating. My big tree this year seems to be rotting away. Quickly each layer is rotting like a spoiled banana and I'm afraid before too long she will be dead. This has been the demise of one of the smaller pups that actually grew to a couple of feet before it passed. The trunk of my big tree is about 4-5 ft tall. Unfortunatley I have to keep it in a place with not a lot of light. I've watered it less frequently because I can tell that it's not soaking it up. I battled spider mites for a little while and was able to defeat them. My last ditch effort right now has been to keep a space heater on the large pot that it's in and I have a humidifier sitting on top of the dirt. So is there anything I can do to salvage my plant... It's got 3 months before I can get it back outdoors... Also I have read that it you can dig the plants out of the soil and store them like bulb over the winter. Could this be an option for me... Although since I believe that it is diseased this may no longer be an option for me. Thank you!!!!

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Summer CAn't come soon enough

You might have spider mites. Examine it and see if you see little bugs or cottony looking growth. Dont forget to look under the leaf to! If you see something like that, thats your problem. I mix olive oil, water, and dr. bronners peppermint soap in a spray bottle. Seems to do the job for me.

Since it is winter you need to water it far less than summer months! No fertilizer unless its fresh organic till spring. It sounds like you might be over-watering.

Take the humidifier and heater off the pot and put them on the floor! They'll reap any benefits from there as well. Plus its safer!

Your soil might be to heavy increasing the likelyhood of rot, next time you repot, mix your potting soil with some,peat moss, playsand,perlite, vermiculite too if you have it, add milorganite to this mixture and watch what happens!

If you have to or can, cut off all rotten parts on the banana. and relax.......breathe.......Its almost SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope this helps, write back with your progress. Cincygirl

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Thank you for your help. Since I posted the original cry for help I've done just about everything you mentioned. The spider mites I had, but back in November. I was able to catch them then. Right before I posted however I did water and fertilize and that might have been what sent it over. So right now it's slowly slipping away... I'm just hoping that there is some core in there that will be able to start again once the warmth come back. It looks pretty bleak for my plant though... I think I just need to accept that these aren't ideal conditions and until I can have my own greenhouse, I will have the same struggles... The only difference with this plant though is that i have successfully kept the plant alive during the winter in the past. Never have they rotted and died. So I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thank you for your help!!!

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Summer CAn't come soon enough

i agree. if it is starting to rot, get it out of that soil fast. i use one 2 cubic ft. bag of miricle gro potting MIX, one 8 qt. bag of perilite, and a 8 qt bag of cactus and citrus mix. mix it all together and pot your tree. the only time you really need to water the tree is when you stick your finger into the dirt 2 inches and its dry. if its moist do not water it. i have 22 nanas in a room with my other plants and i get the occasional spider mites, and i have over watered my nanas. its ok, it is just a learning experience. if at first you dont succede, there is always a green house willing to sell you another nana tree. my first nana tree died too, i over watered it. i was so dissapointed i havent even checked on the crom. maybe hell come back, maybe he wont. but the education i got from him dying will stay with me the rest of my nana growing experience.

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Thankyou Mskitty! And remember Fkraska the spider mites come BACK!

Still make your mixture of soap(i like dr. bronners peppermint. it smells good), olive oil and water for your spray bottle.

Good luck! mskitty is right, its a learning experience, and fun to boot! When I saw my banana growing crazy fast last summer, I was just in awe of this wonderful magnificent plant! cincygirl

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Sounds like it needs some light on it.

It didn't make it.... The whole tree is gone. I have a little hope though that maybe the root structure is still in tact and can start a new tree for me?

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Summer CAn't come soon enough

did you take it out of the dirt it was in? how did the roots look? if it was the p-stem that rotted cut it off below the rot(4 inches) and re-plant it. it should come back. if it rotted at the roots, you will need a new tree.

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While it still had a trunk 4-5" diameter and 3-4' height left, I pulled it out and the roots seemed to look normal and healthy to me. That was maybe a month ago. Two weeks ago the trunk tore off at the base. Since then I've left it alone. I haven't watered it for fear of rotting it. So my plan was to leave it alone for a few more weeks. If you think it would be worth getting water on it I will try.

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Summer CAn't come soon enough

if you are gonna water it, stick your finger into the dirt all the way up to your knuckle if the dirt is dry water it a little about half- one cup of measured water. if the ground is damp dont water till dry.i have one i ordered from a friend( the nanas were outside before i bought them now they are in my house) the p-stem "died" but i have a pup that sprouted almost over nite. just keep and eye on it should pup for you. put it in some sunlite if you can.

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Like I told you, I haven't tended to it in a couple weeks. I just dug around in the dirt a little and the roots didn't seem healthy. Sort of withered. The dirt was still cool as if it still had a little moisture in it. I think this one is a goner though. I got a pup off it last summer that is doing well and is making it. Just not as big as this beaut was. Thanks for your help. Good luck with your trees. Someday I will either get myself a greenhouse or move to a warmer climate. It's more unique growing these up North though.

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Summer CAn't come soon enough

maybe it still will put out a pup im not sure, you can always water it a little and wait. good luck ill keep my fingers crossed for you.

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just a message; i live in indonesia and have several banana trees,you have a question i will be happy to answer it

I live in a region that gets great weather for maybe 5 months out of the year... What's the best way to save a plant for the following season without it dying? Through the winter months I have limited heat, humidity, and light.

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Summer CAn't come soon enough

you could pot it up and bring it in the house. but you will have to supply it with light, humidity and water.

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