Do insecticides damage banana plants?

Hello

I have tiny critters on my banana plant - all white ones on the top side of leaves, and green ones on the underneaths; great!

I have a multipurpose insecticide here, but this is a young plant with tender fresh leaves. Will the spray ruin the leaves?

Thanks!

 

I usually read how long before harvest one can use a pesticide on food plants. The ones with the shorter period are usually the safest. I don't think anyone can name a specific one until we know your area/what is available to you. In the meantime, spray the heck out of it with water and blow as many as you can off of it.

Welcome to the forum

 

Hi

I'm in the UK, and banana plants here are only ever ornamentals :-)

I can't blast the leaves with water as it'll rip the leaves apart. It's only 50cm tall and the leaves haven't got the strength and toughness of the very mature plants.

It only has three leaves so I may have to spray just one and see what happens. I think it will burn it though.

 

Hello @Tara100 to GC and lovely to have you with us

I haven't got a banana tree sorry but hopefully these links may help you...until more members besides CanadianLori are able to help

How To Grow A Banana Tree In Pot

Pest & Disease Control for Banana Plants - Stark Bro's

 

@Tara100
They look like greenfly to me, not too many yet. Either squash with fingers or spray with an organic soap based insecticide.

 

I've never found Banana leaves to be particully susceptible to insecticide damage.
That said, I agree, unless the pest becomes a total disaster, I'd either spray with water or just keep an eye on the problem, often nature sorts out this kind of thing.
If the new leaves start to get distorted I'd be inclined to do something at that point.