How Do I Treat A Pest Of Disease For My Indoor Banana Plant?

Question

The last few weeks, my indoor banana plant has stopped growing. It has a new leaf coming out of the middle, but has grown half way and not fully opened. I can see some streaks on this new leaf near the base and sap seeping out. There is another new leaf growing in the middle of this, which seems promising. Should I use neem or another pesticide or should I prune it. I have another maturer leaf that looks like it has black streak on it. It rests against the window and could be why. The streak is along the edges of the leaf. I have had the plant since March, the trunk is about 5 foot, with the leaves reaching the ceiling. I pruned it heavily at first as lot of leaves where damaged, the tree responded fantastically and new leaves grew very quickly. However, as I said, recently it has stopped growing. I have attached photographs of sap and rips in the new lead at the base of the leaf, as well as what looks to be leaf streak on a more mature leaf.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, your photos did not come through.

It is likely an infection, given that living leaves were cut. This should be avoided, because they are very susceptible to infection.

You may try a fungicide, but there is no guarantee that it will work. I would not spray it with Neem oil, though, since it is in an unhealthy state. It will likely make things worse.

What I can do, for now, is point you to one of our articles on the care of Banana plants in container, and another for correct fungicide use:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/banana/indoor-banana-plant.htm

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