How Do I Keep My Banana Leaf Plant Alive?

Question

Recently purchased a beautiful, green leafed banana plant and planted it. Unfortunately several of the leaves have now turned colour and a couple have turned yellow and brittle. I have attempted to alleviate the acidity in my soil (as per something I read on the Internet; I only placed it at the base of the plant), by placing pellets of dried chicken manure around the plant. I placed the first 1/4c or so of manure there about a week ago and nothing has changed. I love the look of this plant (and it cost a pretty penny)…I’d hate for it to be a total loss.

Answer 1

Overwatering and overfeeding with a very "hot" feed will be the cause here.

Make sure that you compost any bird manures that you use before hand. This can burn the roots of the plant, especially when applied directly to the root area close to the trunk.

The soil needs to dry out down to, at least, 2 or 3 inches between watering. Soggy soils will promote rot. Banana plants are very susceptible to rot. Being a tender herbaceous plant it will a little more sensitive to heavy treatment, as well.

Do not cut anything off of the plant unless it is dead and brown. You should never have to cut into living tissue. Actually, doing so will lead to infection as well.

Growing a banana plant requires quite a bit of research. They are quite finicky and sensitive. I see many expensive plants that are not salvageable in my line of work, but this one can likely be saved.

A light fungicide treatment on occasion and perfect care will bring it back to health.

Here are some articles that will help:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/biofungicide-information.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/homemade-fungicide.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/zone-9-banana-trees.htm