Hardy Tropicals UK

Hi all,

I bought a few banana corms and am trying to wake them up.

I’ve planted them in a free draining mix (although it’s holding moisture more than I thought it would) and most are not showing any action after 1 week.

They are in a south facing window of my home which is at a constant temperature of 20c. One is sprouting but one is showing some mould. The one with mould is musa laterita. I’ve put some dry potting mix around the base of the trunk now and removed the outer layers. I’ve attached a photo - is it done for? Any advice appreciated

You could always chop it off at soil level and see if it grows back.

It doesn't look particularly free draining to me, that grit is really fine. I would just have watered round the centre of the pot not wet it all through at this stage.

Do you think there is much point in changing the soil now?

Always worth changing the soil if its not right. if you go for a chop do a little at a time until you see a green core then stop this is where new leaf will come from.Water sparingly until it starts into good growth.To much water at dormant stage will encourage rot.The banana i over winter in doors dry does not get any water till it starts to break dormancy

Thanks folks - I’ll get on it and we’ll see how it goes!