Question
I recently purchased a banana tree and repotted it. This is the kind if banana tree with a tree like stalk and it has shoots that surround the very top. the leaves are yellow and green variegated and long. The leaves on the smallest stalk started turning yellow and when I checked it, i found that the shoots were rotten, real mushy. Also the stalk itself is soft, the bark just rubs off. What happened? The larger stalk seems fine, the leaves are slightly discolored but nothing like the other one. Also is there a way to start new plants from this one? Please help!

Answer
Amanda,

Your banana tree is suffering from too much water and most likely not enough sun.
You should not have repotted it until after April 1st. Also, you probably used standard potting soil. Banana trees thrive in the south in full sun all day long and very sandy soil. If you use standard potting soil it holds too much water because it is mostly peat or muck.  The soil needs to be 50% play sand mixed with the standard potting soil so it drains better.  It should also be in the sunniest window facing south with the curtains and mini blinds open all day.
At this point cut the mushy stalk off down to where it is still solid.  It will send out new shoots from the old stump. Move it to a sunny south facing window where it will get sun all day long and be very careful not to overwater it.  Let it get very dry between waterings and it should perk up and send out new growth.  Next time you repot mix the soil 50% with sand. Good luck.

                                         Darlene