Question

plant   QUESTION: Hello I spoke with you regarding some banana plants that I was growing last year. The plant has grown to be pretty big and tall but now there seems to be some small black bugs flying around the soil and plant. What could be the cause of this and how can this be resolved ? thank you

ANSWER: Brandon,

Your plant would really like to be outdoors in a shady area this time of year. By keeping it indoors it is not as likely to grow bananas. It will get more light outside and do better. The bugs are fungus gnats because you are allowing it to sit in water constantly. When you do this you get some root rot in the fine roots and fungus gnats are like fruit flies that are attracted to overripe bananas on your kitchen counter. They come out of nowhere to go after that fruit. Fungus gnats appear because they smell those rotting fine roots and they want them. They lay eggs in the soil and the larva will also go after the roots. Cut back on the water in the drain tray, use a turkey baster to empty it an hour after watering. If you see little worms in the soil (larva) empty a bottle of rubbing alcohol or 3 or 4 bottle over the soil. It will kill the larva and not hurt the roots of the banana plant.  If you can move it outdoors it will use up the water faster and the plant roots will get healthier so it will be less susceptible to fungus gnats. Good luck!

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I suggested to my mom to move it outside since its a tropical plant. She is concerned about it dying to frost in the winter. Should Is it safe to transplant into the ground now or should I move the container outside and let it sit in the sun gradually for a couple of days.

Answer
Brandon,

Move it outside in it's pot. Keep it in the pot and start it out in the shad then gradually move it out into more sun. Doing it slowly like that will keep it from getting sunburned. In September you will need to move it back indoors when night temperatures start dropping below 50 degrees. In the spring you can move it out again when the night temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees. It would freeze if it was planted in the ground. Good luck!

Darlene