Question
Hello, I have been experiencing a white mold of sorts on the base of several of my banana trees. It makes a brown spot on the stalk that turns to white fuzz. This Fuzz weakens the stalk and the plant then folds over on it self in a matter of days. Due to the fact that its winter time in a cold climate my plants are indoors in good pots, and there water requirements are very low right now. The "fuzz" has taken claim on all my small young  desert trees , I need help to stop the spread before it gets to my 2 mature giant trees. Thank you for help. Reanna

Answer
Dear Reanna, Is it possible that you may have mealybugs?  That sounds like that could be the fuzz that you are seeing, and mealybugs can definitely collapse a banana tree.  You can spray the plant, especially the base, with NEEM - an organic compound found in many plant products today, and it controls fungus, insects, and mites.  So whether you are seeing bugs or fungus, that should work.  Be sure that there is not water standing under the pots.  Actually, since these are banana trees, you might want to try something that is done frequently with them, and pull them out of their pots during the winter.  It might be a good idea to do now even though there is not much winter left.  You can pull them completely out of the pots and spray them with NEEM bare rooted, making sure that you get good circulation around them.  We always used to wrap them in newspaper before it was time to plant.  Either way, I think if you spray with the NEEM several times one week apart, you will see the end of this problem.  I hope this information helps.  Good luck, Melissa