Doctor, it's about my banana

MattyD

Hello GWers,

I have a young banana plant, it's in a south facing garden, neutral soil, albeit in a relatively shady part of it.

Anyway, please take a look at the photo, and I'd love to know what's wrong with it?

I planted it about 3 months ago and although it's growing, the leaves just don't look happy at all. Planted it with a mix of garden soil, compost, fish blood & bone, topped off with mulch (above ground obvs.)

MattyD

philippa smith2 says:

You don't say which Banana you have - Basjoo is the hardiest for the UK.

In any event, no Banana will be particularly happy growing in the middle of a lawn.  They are lush semi tropical jobs and need to be treated accordingly.  

See original post

 Hi philippa smith2,

it is a musa basjoo. I've planted it to the edge of the lawn, it gets watered nearly every day.

raisingirl

The grass will be depriving it of food and using the water you think you're giving the banana. The reason grass is such a successful plant is that it smothers it's competition very successfully. Clear a much bigger area around it - at least out as far as the leaves of the banana and preferably a bit further, and then add a very thick mulch of something tasty (to a plant). 

Last edited: 12 July 2017 17:18:26

Guybrush

Bananas need a lot of water and feed so I would mulch it with a good 3-4 inches of compost or bark which will help keep any water you give it in the soil. I'd then give it a high nitrogen feed like seaweed or nettle every couple of weeks.

MattyD

Thank you Raisingirl and Guybrush, I shall cut away more grass and then do the bark and seaweed feed. I am much obliged to you all.