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AeAe has been attacked....help!!

18 years ago

I am holding back the tears as I write this desperate plea....for a gopher has managed to seek out and target my 9' AeAe Banana in a field of other more common bananas! I believe it has eaten the roots and the plant has stopped growing. I noticed the AeAe was in the middle of putting out a new leaf and then suddenly stopped mid leaf. Then I saw the tell tale mound and completely freaked. I am on a caddyshack adventure to eliminate the offending gopher, however I was hoping the wise and wonderful members of the banana forum could tell me how to save my precious AeAe? Root stimulators? Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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Comments (5)

unautre
18 years ago
I have no experience with your situation, but I think you're going to have to poke around, gently, under the plant and see the damage directly, no guessing, without breaking any roots.

If a lot of roots have been bared by the tunneling of the gopher, the I would guess they need to be re populated with soil, and watered in well, so the maximum amt of roots are in contact with soil and its nutrients/moisture.

As long as the plant is not growing (in shock, stalled), I wouldn't fertilize, just keep moist.

I have no idea whether the "root stimulator/transplant shock reducing" stuff from the garden centers would have any effect.
bananalover
18 years ago
If I had an Ae Ae I think I would be afraid to plant it outside until I really had to. Think I would keep it potted. Afraid I don't know enough about Ae Ae to really help. Still I think if there is one gopher there is more and if they like your Ae Ae maybe it would be better to move it to a safer spot.
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Many sites listed the banana weevil and sugar cane weevils as banana pests in general. They lay their eggs in the corm and the larvae tunnel through, eating and causing damage. Geez the little boogers sure seem to know which plants are the most expensive or precious to us! So sorry to hear about that! **Observing a moment of silence for Lisa'a AE AE** Is there any way for it to be saved? Perhaps the county extension agent might know of some pesticide to treat the corm, or at least keep them from spreading to your other bananas. It makes me wonder if the weevil came with the plant, if your other bananas weren't affected- it could have... even if they are common pests. Here is the link below, scroll down aways. Here is a link that might be useful: banana weevil
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pitangadiego
18 years ago
Just leave it alone. If the damage is done, you can't undo it. Be patient and you might be surprised. As long as the gopher did not eat the growing point inside the corm, it can come back. If it has been eaten, nothing will help.
jargento
Original Author
18 years ago
Hey there...many thanks for all your suggestions. I think the gopher has been successfully eliminated, however still no signs of growth. I am leaving it in the ground and keeping my fingers crossed.

Julie
jargento
Original Author
18 years ago
Great News! Today I noticed the first sign of growth on my Ae Ae. I was so excited I about did a little dance in the banana garden. Thanks again to all for the advice.

Julie

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