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View Full Version : Knowledge/Opinions wanted (many ?s) Re: Ice Cr. Banana plants, dwarfs, & other


Lawler
01-11-2014, 12:09 AM
I am pulling up my Orinocos (see pics below)... still have a wild bunch at the back of property (2nd pic down circled in red), so not worried about not having any. BUT, I will now have 3 areas (yellow, green, blue circled) to choose 3 new varieties. I have pored over this forum and see different folks have different likes, etc.. So, I'll just list my questions in hopes of more info. (& opinions!).

1. Is "Ice Cream" a type of banana plant w/ several varieties? ...as I have seen people talk about "Ice Cream Blue Java" and "Ice Cream Namwahs"?

2 If Ice Cream IS a type with different varieties, can someone tell me what falls under as an Ice Cream type of banana?

3. I saw someone here describe an Ice Cream banana as ? dry/flakey... is that correct? I thought it would be more moist/creamy?

4. What does "sub acidic" mean in regards to taste? ...does "sub"=LESS than acidic? ...as in ? a flat abrupt taste (not smooth). Let me say, I know what Orinocos taste like and I know what the ones from the store taste like. For me, Orinocos are sweet-like, but have a flat ending taste, that resonates with an abruptness, if you will, while store bought are smooth/sweet creamy. SO, from this perspective, where does "sub acidic" fall?

5. We can handle tall plants in all 3 places we have, but prefer at least one (probably 2) of the areas to have a dwarf variety, while the 3rd (yellow circled area & 2nd to last pic) can handle any size (we are on acreage)... well, any size but the ginormous ones I just viewed by "Rmplmnz".

We are SW Houston TX by 45 minutes. We're looking for sweet and smooth, but not mushy or hard. After preliminary research, I'm honing in on Dwarf Namwahs and a Mysore for two of them. Can anyone tell me what their growth habits (height, etc.) look like and more importantly THEIR TASTE?

6. Any suggestions for the 3rd variety?

Thank you kindly for ANY info. you may have/give.
Lawler

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55529&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55529&ppuser=16822)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55535&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55535&ppuser=16822)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55538&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55538&ppuser=16822)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=55536&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=55536&ppuser=16822)

amantedelenguaje
01-11-2014, 12:27 AM
I am not an expert, but I can tell you that there is a lot of mislabeling and perhaps flat out deceit when it comes to vendors selling Ice Cream variety bananas. Ice Cream and Blue Java are synonymous, the same thing. Ice Cream Namwah variety is non-existent. Members of the forum use Ice Cream Namwah to indicate they attempted to purchase an Ice Cream/Blue Java plant and later discovered that it was a Namwah. As I said, there is a lot of mislabeling, so if you decide to buy an Ice Cream banana plant be prepared to discover that you've been duped.

I purchased an Ice Cream tissue cultured plant last year. Now that it is bigger, it looks much like a Cavendish. So, I now have an Ice Cream Cavendish (again this is fictional). I've been hornswoggled.

Abnshrek
01-11-2014, 12:31 AM
I would say grow a Manzano & a D. Braz.. Some will say Goldfinger which isn't a bad choice either.. If somehow you find more space I have Saba pup to spare I got from Bo.. I think I only need one.. And if Goldfinger rings your bell I'm sure I'll have pups of that too.. :^)

Richard
01-11-2014, 01:04 AM
Hey! Banana-crazed man Lawler!

I suppose somewhere on this site you've revealed what zone or area you live in, but it's not in your profile and you didn't start a membership introduction thread so it's a little difficult to make a recommendation. So give us a clue and then we can be of better help!

:woohoonaner:

sunfish
01-11-2014, 01:09 AM
SW Houston TX by 45 minutes

by boat

Richard
01-11-2014, 01:37 AM
SW Houston TX by 45 minutes

by boat

Based on that, I'd recommend Misi Luki (tall Namwa).

Lawler
01-11-2014, 12:48 PM
Okay.... I'm on my way to do a "Membership Intro. Thread" ....this whole forum thing is new (and fabulous!) to me.

venturabananas
01-11-2014, 04:39 PM
1. Is "Ice Cream" a type of banana plant w/ several varieties? ...as I have seen people talk about "Ice Cream Blue Java" and "Ice Cream Namwahs"?

2 If Ice Cream IS a type with different varieties, can someone tell me what falls under as an Ice Cream type of banana?

3. I saw someone here describe an Ice Cream banana as ? dry/flakey... is that correct? I thought it would be more moist/creamy?

4. What does "sub acidic" mean in regards to taste? ...does "sub"=LESS than acidic? ...as in ? a flat abrupt taste (not smooth). Let me say, I know what Orinocos taste like and I know what the ones from the store taste like. For me, Orinocos are sweet-like, but have a flat ending taste, that resonates with an abruptness, if you will, while store bought are smooth/sweet creamy. SO, from this perspective, where does "sub acidic" fall?

5. We can handle tall plants in all 3 places we have, but prefer at least one (probably 2) of the areas to have a dwarf variety, while the 3rd (yellow circled area & 2nd to last pic) can handle any size (we are on acreage)... well, any size but the ginormous ones I just viewed by "Rmplmnz".

We are SW Houston TX by 45 minutes. We're looking for sweet and smooth, but not mushy or hard. After preliminary research, I'm honing in on Dwarf Namwahs and a Mysore for two of them. Can anyone tell me what their growth habits (height, etc.) look like and more importantly THEIR TASTE?

6. Any suggestions for the 3rd variety?


1. There is only one true "Ice Cream". By most accounts, it is not great.

2. But the most common banana sold as "Ice Cream" in the US is misidentified and is actually a Pisang Awak variety (= "Namwah"). It is a large plant with fruit that are indistinguishable in flavor from Dwarf Namwah and what is sold in the US as "Misi Luki" (also the wrong name).

3. Would apply to the true Ice Cream, not the "fake" Ice Cream (Namwah).

4. Sub acid in reference to fruits means with some tartness, less than a lemon, more than a Cavendish banana. For example, Mysore and Dwarf Brazilian are sub acid bananas. That type is my favorite.

5. Dwarf Namwah and Mysore types (Mysore, Pisang Ceylon, Pisang Klotek) are great choices. Dwarf Namwah is a dense, sweet fruit with a hint of apple cider aroma. Mysore types taste to me like a sweet-tart candy had a baby with a banana. Great flavor and good texture.

6. There are lots of good options, but personally, I'd go with Dwarf Brazilian. It is a stout, tough plant that makes delicious fruit. The only complaint I have about it is that it is much slower to fruit in my climate than some varieties, like the Pisang Awak ones.

Lawler
01-11-2014, 11:37 PM
Great information. Thank you for taking the time to address my questions. It surely is appreciated!
Will be doing the Dw.Namwah and Mysore...got to find a supplier and decide on a 3rd.
Thanks!