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Musa banana

dmortimer1989dmortimer1989 Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hello, I just purchased a Musa banana 5 days ago. I know its not to hardy outside but thought would be fine since it's 25-28 degrees here in Dublin. However it's leaves have started to go already which I'm really surprised at.

Can anyone tell me if the leaves look like this because of being outside/ need more water /less water/more feed/bigger pot? I'm a bit lost

Posts

  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    I would put it in a larger pot, using a soil based compost like John lines no 3 and keep it well watered.  They need lots of water particularly during hot weather.  Keep your plant in the shade until it recovers and normal temperatures return. 
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • dmortimer1989dmortimer1989 Posts: 9
    Thank you for the reply, will give that a go and see how it gets. 
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Assuming it's a Basjoo, have you got somewhere to overwinter it? Mine are perfectly happy in a very hot south facing garden. Watered a couple of times a week.i can't see what size pot yours are in
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    The bottom leaves which are several months old now,do go yellow,it's greener than it looks in the picture. Identical one next to it.
  • sb3-Kpx6edSsb3-Kpx6edS Posts: 21
    My musa basjoo prefer a bit of shade at the hottest parts of the day - I have it in west-facing pots and its doing fine
  • dmortimer1989dmortimer1989 Posts: 9
    Nanny Beach said:
    Assuming it's a Basjoo, have you got somewhere to overwinter it? Mine are perfectly happy in a very hot south facing garden. Watered a couple of times a week.i can't see what size pot yours are in
    It's a musa acuminata dwarf cavendish so more fragile I think. Yes can store it inside over winter. Have a picture attached to give a better idea of size (have just replanted it). I'm starting to think it was to much hot sun
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Thats a fine specimen, We had the Morellii, they are very tender. I bought hubby a Cavandish one year, too, but they didnt survive. I expect it would apreciate a bit of shade now youve re-potted it. I find if mine are in the back garden, they suffer from wind...from the sea and South Downs shreds the leaves, which is what they are designed to do, but they look awful. They go in the greenhouse October, start coming out in the day April usually, when hubby cuts them back, and they go mad. Where did you get it?  I know theyre blooming expensive, we've had ours quite a few years now.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    That looks so much better, I can’t believe it’s the same plant!  I’ve been watering my Musa maurelii twice a day in this weather.  The large surface area of the leaves means they need a lot!

    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • dmortimer1989dmortimer1989 Posts: 9
    Nanny Beach said:
    Thats a fine specimen, We had the Morellii, they are very tender. I bought hubby a Cavandish one year, too, but they didnt survive. I expect it would apreciate a bit of shade now youve re-potted it. I find if mine are in the back garden, they suffer from wind...from the sea and South Downs shreds the leaves, which is what they are designed to do, but they look awful. They go in the greenhouse October, start coming out in the day April usually, when hubby cuts them back, and they go mad. Where did you get it?  I know theyre blooming expensive, we've had ours quite a few years now.
    Yeah it seems some of the types of Musa are ok to cut back and some not, lots to learn about them! Still fantastic plants even with some win damage. Good advice to move them inside around October.
    Got it in Homebase for €8 (£6.80)!...bargain 
  • dmortimer1989dmortimer1989 Posts: 9
    Plantminded said:
    That looks so much better, I can’t believe it’s the same plant!  I’ve been watering my Musa maurelii twice a day in this weather.  The large surface area of the leaves means they need a lot!

    Surprised myself how much it improved so fast. Couldn't believe how much water it takes in! 
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