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fricknfzr

wilty banana in the day (full sun)

fricknfzr
17 years ago

Ok, during the day, my dwarf banana looks like this:

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid215/p413b5c48f5aa037aae72d4defef757ce/eceb7c44.jpg

(copy/paste the link into your browser)

In the morning, evening, and at night it looks normal... the leaves are "flatter" and it looks healthy. Its been doing this almost since I got it. It has water, enough sun, and its not getting below 50 F at night yet.

Is this normal?

Also, some of the older leaves are kinda turning yellow.

I also have the black speckling which just started, but I already read that's pretty normal.

I haven't fertilized this thing yet (i know im a slacker). Could that be all I need?

THanks.

Comments (7)

  • chena
    17 years ago

    Hey!!
    I couldn't get to your pic but sounds pretty normal to me.. I know when is hot outside my leaves look like they are thirsty even after a big waterin or rain.
    Chena

  • dilbert
    17 years ago

    The leaves folding down around the midrib is normal for some but not all varieties. Oldest leaves turning yellow and dying is normal for all varieties.

  • slfairless
    17 years ago

    Did you just get it fairly recently? I've had the same issue with bananas grown in a green house under filtered light. When you throw them right into full sun the leaves can wilt to adjust for the change. All new growth/leaves should not wilt.

  • fricknfzr
    Original Author
    17 years ago

    I've had it for a few months-- I ordered it thru the mail so I don't know if it was from a greenhouse, but I'd assume so. Just the other day I pulled the last original leaf off...
    it seems like its only been doing it for the last month or so... oh well, I guess its ok.

  • sandy0225
    17 years ago

    Even my ones in the greenhouse will wilt like that in the middle of the day with the sun beating down on them, even when they have enough water. It seems like they just can't get the water to the leaves fast enough. As long as they recover when the sun goes off of them, they are fine.
    If you're planning on bringing your banana inside the house potted, and keeping it going over the winter, I'd give it fertilizer over the summer so that it will grow better for you. But it won't really need much fertilizer during the winter when it really won't be growing much. only about 1/5th of what it needed during the summer.

  • palmpunk
    17 years ago

    Soak the plant with water every day, making sure to soak the root zone and not just watering from above. My bananas do this when temps are in the 70s and warmer. When temps cool down, the leaves will flatten out and look healthier. Remember that bananas are more or less rainforest plants. Since temps here have only been in the 60s for the past few days, I haven't had to water but every other day, and the leaves haven't drooped.

  • baci
    17 years ago

    If you are a morning waterer, you might want to consider watering after 1 or so. It will cool the plant down during the hot time & the soil will still have time to dry.
    I always spritz my leaves, especially during the summer. I had one in a pot that was burning badly  I moved it to the shade. I later found it was rootbound, repotted it, & have it now back in the sun.