Expert: Nick McCann Date: 7/4/2008 Subject: my poor yellow banana palm
Question QUESTION: I'm having trouble with my banana palm it's turning a yellowish color. We've been experiencing 118 degree heat so I increased the water supply but still no change...is there anythng I can do to save it?
ANSWER: Hi, it sounds like you have instigated a root rot situation with the increased watering; when a banana begins to turn yellow and then brownish it means its roots are saturated, especially if it is a young banana. The increase heat will only serve to slow down growth and not harm the banana, they are tropical by nature and thrive in a hot, humid environment. You didn't mention how big the banana was, it may need to be lifted in the hope that the root ball (corm) will dry out and permanent damage hasn't already occurred. Nick
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QUESTION: It's about 5 feet tall. When you say lift it, should I just raise it off the ground and insert some dry soil at the base or should I replant it somewhere else that has dry soil? I appreciate your help very much.
ANSWER: Yes, actually take your spade and dig down on both sides and lift the entire corm (root ball) out and let it dry if it is in fact soaked, as I said, they like water but a young one can get root rot from too much, you never said how long it had been growing in that spot, if it is established it could be hard to lift, but if it has only been in the ground for less then a year, it should come out with no problem, let me know how old the plant is and then I will have a better idea on whether to try to lift it or not...:)
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QUESTION: This palm has been there for four years now. For the time-being I stopped watering it.
Answer ,,,,ok, it has a well established root system, so given the size and magnitude of lifting it, this is the prudent thing to do,(cutting back the water) but cut back any yellow/brown leaves, cut them at the petiole (stem holding the leaves), but be careful not to cut into the trunk itself. When you think of it, spray the leaves to keep the plant hydrated , this will cool the plant down, and allow the roots to heal. Nick
