Troubleshooting
Lady Finger Banana problems — and how to fix them
Lady Finger Banana (Musa acuminata) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Fusarium wilt (Panama disease)
Internal brown discolouration and leaf yellowing. Remove and destroy infected plants; do not replant Musa in affected soil.
Leaf spot (Sigatoka)
Yellow to brown streaks on leaves. Maintain good air circulation and apply a copper-based fungicide as a preventative in wet conditions.
Thrips on flower bracts
Silvery scarring on fruit skin. Use spinosad-based insecticide or introduce beneficial predatory insects.
Nematodes
Root-knot nematodes stunt plant growth. Rotate away from Musa for at least two seasons and use nematode-resistant companions.
Pseudostem weevil
Yellow-brown tunnelling in the pseudostem. Treat planting material before establishment; remove and destroy heavily infested pseudostems.
Prevent lady finger banana problems before they start
Most lady finger banana issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Lady Finger Banana problems — FAQ
Why is my lady finger banana fusarium wilt (panama disease)?
Internal brown discolouration and leaf yellowing. Remove and destroy infected plants; do not replant Musa in affected soil.
Why is my lady finger banana leaf spot (sigatoka)?
Yellow to brown streaks on leaves. Maintain good air circulation and apply a copper-based fungicide as a preventative in wet conditions.
Why is my lady finger banana thrips on flower bracts?
Silvery scarring on fruit skin. Use spinosad-based insecticide or introduce beneficial predatory insects.
Why is my lady finger banana nematodes?
Root-knot nematodes stunt plant growth. Rotate away from Musa for at least two seasons and use nematode-resistant companions.
Why is my lady finger banana pseudostem weevil?
Yellow-brown tunnelling in the pseudostem. Treat planting material before establishment; remove and destroy heavily infested pseudostems.