banana plant help!

[kimbo3311]

I got a small banana plant when I bought my java ferns, but about a week after I put it in my tank, the leaves turned transparent and broke off... now, the bulb-roots are still sitting in my tank, they seem to be still alive, they're still firm and green after three weeks... but I've seen no growth on it at all. the java ferns are doing great... even putting off buds.

anyone know what is wrong with my banana plant?

 

[Bk718]

are the bananas in substrate or above?
It should perk up in a few weeks.

 

[kimbo3311]

well, I try to put it in the substrate, but my convict pulls it out after a day or so. do they need to be completely submerged?

 

[satanpie]

hmm, not really sure mine did fine above or planted

 

[Fishy_Fun]

mine floats as of right now and its as green as can be.i would think if you just added it its probably just melting.If you don't know what melting means

Melting:when new plants are added to a new tank or a tank with different water chemistry they begin to melt until they adjust to the water(about two weeks).once they are adjusted they should take off.hope this helps

 

[Cichlidgirl91]

My first banana plant lost its leaves too, but after a little while, it started shooting leaves up to the surface. More than I needed! I did find out that you can propagate banana plants from their VERY long stems. You just cut the stem into pieces that are about 3 inches long and in a few weeks, they'll have roots!

 

[Bk718]

Or another way to describe what fishy just said is.. The plant went into shock..

Try placing your banana plant where it wont move, it likes to stay in place. Also as far as planting it, Add a few plant weights around the bananas so it will stay down, if you decide to bury it under substrate then do it half way. Buried it will develop great roots, and if your tank been up for a while then the plant should grow in no time. I sold my monster yesterday.. sad to see it go since it was one of my first plants..

 

[Octavarium]

Mine have the bottom 1/4 covered by gravel, and are doing great sending up stems to the surface. I've had just the base at one point, and it grew leaves back. You should be ok.