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View Full Version : Dwarf Namwah vs. Ice Cream


andy17
05-25-2013, 05:10 PM
Hello everyone,
So I was curious, other than height, is there any major difference between the dwarf namwah and the ice cream? They look pretty similar overall. Thanks!

robguz24
05-25-2013, 07:11 PM
Pseudo-stem is thicker on the DN, also has more pink in it. Being a dwarf, each new leaf is closer to the previous one, looking more bunched up. The emerging cigar leaf also has more of a pink tint. Not prone to leaning like the real IC. Tops of the fingers (pedicels) are more prominently purple early in flowering, and fruit color and shape totally different.

Also, in my yard at least, the ICs have sent written invitations to every corm weevil in the neighborhood encouraging them to come over and enjoy the buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and brunch on Sundays).

Abnshrek
05-25-2013, 07:33 PM
I have some leaners.. :^)

andy17
05-26-2013, 04:39 PM
Thanks robguz24,
That's very helpful!

oakshadows
05-26-2013, 06:17 PM
"Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." --Francis Bacon
"Enjoying the harvest is the second purist pleasure". --oakshadows

waggoner41
05-27-2013, 01:10 PM
Pseudo-stem is thicker on the DN, also has more pink in it. Being a dwarf, each new leaf is closer to the previous one, looking more bunched up. The emerging cigar leaf also has more of a pink tint. Not prone to leaning like the real IC. Tops of the fingers (pedicels) are more prominently purple early in flowering, and fruit color and shape totally different.

Also, in my yard at least, the ICs have sent written invitations to every corm weevil in the neighborhood encouraging them to come over and enjoy the buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and brunch on Sundays).

It seems that some varieties of nematodes are effective in eliminating corm weevils.
You might try this solution. http://www.kari.org/fileadmin/publications/10thProceedings/Volone/FieldControl_Banana.pdf

caliboy1994
05-27-2013, 08:37 PM
Ice Cream is a lot taller, and it is a HUGE plant. I've seen one in California that had maybe about 11 or 12 feet of p-stem (Mine is currently still a baby). DNW is much shorter, maybe about 7 or 8 feet, but still a big plant with a thick pseudostem. IC is also a much greener plant, very little pink on it.

PR-Giants
05-29-2013, 07:40 PM
Also, in my yard at least, the ICs have sent written invitations to every corm weevil in the neighborhood encouraging them to come over and enjoy the buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and brunch on Sundays).

I would expect your Cuerno de Alce to attract even more weevils.

Out of all my banana, that one is a weevil magnet.

How long has it been in the ground, and have you checked the corm for weevils?

robguz24
05-29-2013, 10:21 PM
Different ones going on 4-5 years. When I remove them after they've fruited, the all have some to extensive weevil damage. Mediocre fruit, weak root systems, always needing to be propped up--one of these days I'll just get rid of them all.

PR-Giants
05-30-2013, 08:32 AM
Different ones going on 4-5 years. When I remove them after they've fruited, the all have some to extensive weevil damage. Mediocre fruit, weak root systems, always needing to be propped up--one of these days I'll just get rid of them all.

Cuerno de Alce is the best plantain, even with these minor problems.

My only problem with this plant is that the fruit are not uniformed in size.

Plant to harvest should be about 10 - 11 months and if grown in a large mat or single planting, propping is unnecessary.

With your experience and enthusiasm, I would think you can make your weevil problem a distant memory.