Put it back outside, keep it moist, like daily water, and keep in full or partial shade (are there any trees in AZ?)

I have 4 mystery variegated Musa (apparently) that did ok here until we got to 95F every day, when many of its recent leaves started shrivelling/browning, so I'm moving them to shade. But my M. blue java, basjoo, and zebrina/rojo are doing fine in full sun. hmm, maybe my basjoo is slightly cooked but nothing like the 4 mystery Musa's.

It is kept moist but I will put it back outside as you suggest. I think I will go with the full shade for now...especially since full shade in Arizona isn't the same as full shade most other places. We have had it up to 112 already and it is common for it to be 115 - 120 in the summer! Yes, we do have trees in Arizona! I planted several. I think I will keep it on my shaded patio though so I can keep a better eye on it.

Well, putting it back outside was the wrong thing to do. After a couple of days the leaves started getting brown and crunchy! I moved it back inside in hopes of saving it. At least when it was inside only the very tips of some leaves were brown.

brown tips are fine, as long as its growing they are healthy.

What I see happening to our Basjoos during very hot days, is not so much browning, but (using term loosely) "wilting"...ish.

They also turn a darker green. So when I get home after work, I soak their pots (yes, too chicken to plant in ground) and mist their leaves. In a short time, they perk right back up again and the normal green returns.

Needless to say, the older leaves to get browned edges. But the new leaves are bright green as normal.

So in your case, I wonder if the problem is that they are not getting enough water? I know that our Basjoos really drink a whole lot of water. I'm literally deep-watering every day! If I forget, they sulk a bit! hehehehe ;)p

A mister may help with your banana in the desert. When I lived in Phx. I grew tropicals usually with afternoon shade and a mister really helps. In Phx. it is dry dry dry, as you know. You don't have to worry about fungal problems with your plants as much in the desert. If you don't have alot of shade trees you could build a ramada/sunshelter.
~Good luck

My Basjoo is not wilting at all and is getting enough water. I have a moisture meter and check the pot often. I also mist it daily. It just can't seem to take the heat. As soon as I moved it outside the leaves started browning and one got really crisp. It was in total shade...which is about the same as partial shade in cooler areas. After I moved it back inside the browing stopped. Now I have to wait for new green leaves again. Inside it has some brown at the very tips and that was all. I guess I can live with that.

Sharonlf,

I'm wondering if you should try a different banana type in Arizona. I think that basjoos seem to prefer cooler weather. I've seen some pictures of huge ones in the Pacific Northwest, whereas other banana types probably would not perform as well because they need more warmth.

Dave,

I think that you're right. Arizona is jst not the right climate for Basjoos. I think that I will have to keep it as an indoor plant.

Sharon,
Are bananans common in the Phoenix area? Do you have a drip system and mister for them?

Chitown

Chitown,

I live in Lake Havasu City, but I've talked to people who are growing them in the Phoenix area. It gets a little hotter here in Havasu so I think I should have put it in a location with even more shade. It seemed okay in the spring but now that the hot weather has arrived it's getting too much sun. I do have a drip system and although I don't have automatic misters yet I mist it by hand daily. I moved here from the Chicago area a few years ago, and boy am I having to relearn how to garden! It's totally different here.

I bet! I'm going to be relocting to the PHX area in a few years, but I've had some practice with my desert garden, and this droughty hot summer sure makes for a trial desert summer! So bananas are a rare sight in the area? I'd like to try some there!

Chitown

I think that they are more common in the Phoenix area than they are here. I also think that it's a matter of finding the right variety and planting it in the right location.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bananas in Phoenix