Basjoo question

[Cali-wanna-b]

Hi all,

I stored a few large Basjoos in my basement this year. I brought one up out of the basement to give it a head start 2 weeks ago. Since then the plant seems to be in decline. The once firm trunk is turning brown and shrinking up and it just looks like crap. It is getting about 2 hours of direct morning sun. Is this normal for a banana coming out of dormancy? Below are a couple pics. Sorry for the quality.

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[Paul Ont]

Cali, the REALLY important thing is the spear leaf. If that is toast then your banana is gone... I've had bananas lost most of their trunk after coming in for the winter. The only indicator is that central growth point. If that stops or turns brown then you're in trouble... Otherwise, it should be fine... Though, you may want to check for aphids!

[Wes North Van]

If it is still standing then it should be OK. If it collaspes then that trunk has been cut down to the ground but may stiill send a shoot out once you cut it to where it is still hard and not mushy. They also may produce some pups. They are very root hardy.

[Cali-wanna-b]

Thanks guys!

The spear is still pushing ever so slowly. I will cross my fingers and see what happens.

[Cali-wanna-b]

UPDATE

Well, the basjoo in question is a goner. I cut the rotting stem down to about 6"above the base a a week ago and it has continued to "shrivel" up. No sign of life at all. I have one big bajoo in a pot left in my basement and would really hate to lose this one. Is there a proper way to bring these out of dormancy?

Craig

[Wes North Van]

Don't throw it out. Just because the top growth is gone does not mean that it is a goner. They are very root hardy and you may find once the temps warm up that new growth will come out of the ground.

[Cali-wanna-b]

Wes is that true for potted Musa also? It was doing fine until I brought it up out of the basement into the house.

[Wes North Van]

Yes it should be fine as long as it didn't suffer through too cold temps.
I don't know what your temps are like this time of year but once it warms up water and fertilize it. They like both and lots of it.

[Alchris]

My Musa Raja Puri potted bananas dried back after I brought them up about a month ago. I cut them back to just above the surface and watched as they dried back more.

The first one started sending up a centre leaf about a week ago and the second started sending up a leaf 3 days ago. Attached are pics.




I hope that this helps.

Allen

[Cali-wanna-b]

Allen

Yes that does give me hope. My musa was very healthy until I brought it out of dormancy. I will give it some time and see what happens. How much water should you give them until they start to recover. I have been keeping it on the dry side.

[Alchris]

I can't remember who gave the advice. I have been watering about once per week. I stick my finger into the soil beside the corm and push it about 2" into the soil. If the soil is dry, I water if not I wait a few days.

Allen

[Wes North Van]

They need moist soil at all times. Do not let it dry out now that the growing season has started.