Is my musa bajoo dead?

I have just dug around the roots of my banana and although they seem solid and the roots are a good colour, there is absolutely no new growth. Any ideas? It was cut right down to soil level in the winter. Not sure what to do now. Should I give it more time before I attempt to dig it up? I tried to dig some of it out, but it felt quite solid, so I then left it alone. Am I being too impatient? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks. GF.

 

YES ! If the roots are good it will sucker, leave it alone you fiend !:D:gnthb:

 

I agree, its very early yet as regards suckers, they take much longer to get started than existing stems.

 

Patience was never my strong point! Thanks for that guys.

Now I'll have to find somewhere else to plant it's replacement bought last week!

GF.

 

Definitely twirly leave it be.

 

All of my basjoo were cut to the ground, Some suckers have started already, but nothing much. Give it more time.

 

I do think mine is dead though - it is brown and squelchy, the stem broke in high winds and I have seen suckers on the ones in my greenhouse but nothing on this one. Or should I give it a bit longer?

 

It sounds like you have lost the stem from last year. But even small plants will sucker again. Well worth waiting a bit longer yet. One of my bigger clumps from last year only has a single very small sucker - maybe 2cm tall. Cut off the mushy part and if you fancy it have a gentle look at the roots, if they are firm and not looking rotten then you will be fine.

 

Thanks for the reply Gaz - any tips for successfully cutting off the brown and squelchy part? It's way too big for secateurs or loppers and too solid for shears! I guess I could try sawing it...?!

 

i would use a saw. Are you sure its squelchy all the way to the ground? Might be worth chopping it a bit at a time in case there is anything good left inside.

 

Well, it is very squelchy at the top of the stump. and the stump is only about 6 inches off the ground! So gutted as I had had some really good growth on it last year as well! Wrapped it up for the winter, and then it got taken out by the wind!

 

The roots of my banana are still solid, but there's still no suckers showing. I am living in hope!!!!!!

GF.

 

GF you may not see any until the middle of warm June ! Until the ground warms it won't be interested.

 

Excitement all round here! No - my banana has not sent up any suckers, but a couple of banana seeds (ensetes)I bought in a moment of madness have germinated. Yes! (should keep me occupied while I sit in wait for the musa to do it's stuff).

A very happy GF.

 

:yho: Wayhay GF really happy for you, now im worrying about my Banana, like yours its black but still wrapped up so keeping my fingers crossed :gnthb: