Bama, the 18 month thing just does not seem apply to Ice Creams. I have had them bloom as early as 17 months with frost/freezes(those did not make it as it bloomed in October).
That was just my first batch of IC to ripen. Here is a thread chronicle:
Severe Hail and Wind Damage second photo
Leaves for successful fruit?
My Very First Saba.... picture four
nearly 4 months to the day it bloomed...
After this past winter, 2009 will be a different story!