Hello,
I'm new to bananas.org but not new to growing bananas. I live just north east of Tampa Florida in zone: 9b. I have successfully grown the Blue Java (ice cream) banana for the past 5 years. Over that time, I have harvested approximately 800 ice cream bananas. My Blue Java trees have grown over 15 feet tall and have become too much work for me to control and maintain. I definitely enjoy the vanilla flavor and creamy texture of the ice cream banana, but it's time for me to make a change.
I'm looking to purchase and grow a dwarf banana variety that normally grows 5 to 7 feet tall at the pseudostem. I do not want to grow a Cavendish type banana like is commonly carried in grocery stores. I prefer the flavor and texture of the Manzano banana that is creamy with a hint of apple like flavor. Even though I live in a very warm climate, in the winter we sometimes receive a couple cold nights where the temperature can be in the high 30's or low 40's. I'm use to having to deal with some winter kill on my Blue Java bananas but they recovery very quickly after the return of warm weather.
I would greatly appreciate it, if members would provide me with dwarf banana variety recommendations that I should consider for my selection. If you would provide me the proper and common names for the varieties as well as the growth habits, cold weather tolerance, disease resistance and most importantly the fruit normal size, flavor profile and texture.
Thank you so much for your assistance.:
