This warm climate herbaceous perennial requires 17 to 20 months of frost-free weather to produce a flower and set fruit. Mostly tropical, some banana plants can survive in colder areas. if ($(window).width() < 1025) { Dead or dying banana leaves are quite obvious. After cutting the stalk the center leaf that refused to come up was all brown on top, like rot and had water around it. Most cultural problems with bananas, such as heat, over or under watering or insect attack rarely turn the leaves yellow. Wait till it starts to warm up (early Spring) and cut the tree off at the ground. As the old leaves dry up and die, it's a good idea to cut them off. Terms of Service apply. While nutrition problems turn the leaves yellow, it is unlikely to cause death unless the problem is very severe. There is a baby growing I don't want to kill the baby if the mom is diseased. It will come back stronger than ever. The center of the stalk is brown, is it dead or should I give it more time? The underground roots (rhizomes) are still capable of pushing up new growth so I'd leave it and allow the baby to continue growing. To me it still has good potential of recovery seeing that green exposed part. Banana plants produce a single flower, set fruit and then eventually die. Banana plants (Musa spp.) I just cut the stalk of my year old banana tree that started turning brown and refusing to grow. Ordering a Banana Tree, New to it ALL: leasmom: Member Introductions: 11: 01-29-2010 08:17 PM: Hello all, New Banana on tree!!!! Be sure to make sure your banana plant is getting enough water. To remove the banana plant, cut the base of the trunk about 6 inches to 1 foot from the soil line. They were 7 ft and are now 1.5-2 ft. document.write(''); It gets water nearly everyday since it's been raining in Florida and it's on my patio. document.write(''); have the height and appearance of a tree, but that is the only similarity. They will appear wilted, dry and brown. Prior to taking up writing full time she has worked as a landscape artist and organic gardener. She travels widely and has spent over six years living abroad. Palomo holds a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Boston University. The most common reason for banana leaves to turn yellow and die, outside of cold weather, is disease. They all had tiny shoots on them which broke during transport the stalks are now looking very brown and not as green as before. It has been cool here. Only the members of the Members group may reply to this thread. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google The center of the stalk is brown, is it dead or should I give it more time? If you want just one banana, remove all but the strongest shoots. Dead Growth on Banana Plants. The stalk of a banana plant is made up of tightly wound fibrous layers. My old eyes aren't the greatest but I think I'm seeing light green plant tissue where you cut the main stem of the plant; I see no sign of disease. The soil appears quite dry so you may want to give it a good soaking. Charleen: Member Introductions: 17: 01-14-2010 03:32 PM: Banana tree needs help: mtilton: Main Banana Discussion: 1: 05-20-2009 10:10 AM: the banana is dead! The hardy varieties of banana like Musa basjoo, growing in USDA zones 5 through 10, die back to the ground with the first frosts and produce new growth in the spring. The leaves are erect and tightly wound. A pair of sharp shears or a knife is sufficient to cut through the fleshy dead banana leaves. Privacy Policy and These shoots will grow into new plants creating a stand of new bananas around the trunk of the parent plant. Did I kill them transplanting them. Gain access to free articles, tips, ideas, pictures and everything gardening, . For this reason, it's important to grow disease-resistant banana varieties and send a sample of problem yellowing and dying leaves to an extension center for diagnosis. After the harvest, you can remove the banana plant or allow it to die naturally on it's own. There is a baby growing I don't want to kill the baby if the mom is diseased. As the leaf matures, it unfurls and arches over. I just cut the stalk of my year old banana tree that started turning brown and refusing to grow. Eulalia Palomo has been a professional writer since 2009. have the height and appearance of a tree, but that is the only similarity. You will likely see new banana shoots emerging around the base of the main trunk. This fast growing plant is a herbaceous perennial with a rhizome root system. Every week see the 10 best gardening photos to inspire your gardening projects. I agree with Lin, cover with a layer of soil, water and keep moist but not wet, she'll start growing up in a few weeks. After cutting the stalk the center leaf that refused to come up was all brown on top, like rot and had water around it. I transplanted some banana trees that had been trimmed down for the winter. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); if ($(window).width() > 1024) { I would also cover that up, and allow the rhizome to grow some more and grow its pseudostem again. As the older leaves age, they turn brown and dry up eventually dying on the stalk. Once they are brown, there is no reviving them and it will be necessary to prune them in order to keep your banana tree looking lush. is my banana trees dead? New leaves continue to emerge from the center of the plant for the duration of its life. It is about 40 at night and getting to the late 60's during the day. This keeps the banana plants looking neat and tidy and discourages insects from building nests in the protected shelter of the dead leaves. Banana plants (Musa spp.) } To create a natural mulch later under the banana, cut up the dead leaf material and spread it around the base of the plant. Use these convenient icons to share this page on various social media platforms: ~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt! One way to get a banana to flower in cold areas is to keep it indoors or in a greenhouse in winter.