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Iunepeace
06-03-2014, 04:30 PM
Hi all, hoping to get this plant verified, started a thread a few years ago before it had fruited and we could never settle on an exact variety. Please see below for a some pics of the [first and only] bunch harvested and flowering :)

Was away in college when harvested so did not get to taste:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53719&size=1

Heard it was delicious:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53720&size=1

Doubt it's Ice Cream since there is no blue tinge, just waxy in sink:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=53721&size=1

Flowering stage:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50025&size=1

Fingers:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50024&size=1

And Closeup:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50026&size=1

Bonus:

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=50023&size=1

Guess away! :D

robguz24
06-03-2014, 04:54 PM
I'd guess Ice Cream. Based on p-stem color, size, shape, and color of the fruit. Would be surprised if it was not.

2woodensticks
06-03-2014, 07:18 PM
yea..the blue hue does look like..ice cream..my guess

Iunepeace
06-04-2014, 09:50 AM
First, thanks for the speedy replies.

You all really think it could be Blue Java? I thought that the fruit had to be discernibly blue to qualify, and my parents never mentioned any abnormal ripening traits (to them blue bananas in this case). I thought my uncle that I got it from on another island said it was what we call locally Sugar Bananas, which would translate into Ladyfinger or close. Hmm...

There's a lady from my church who grows a few varieties; here's one of her patches:

(Bottom right area is Blue Java)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=49501&size=1

And one in that area flowering:

(Hers are much taller than mine, at least 5' or more taller. My plant that fruited was slightly over my head, maybe 7' or 8' in total.)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=49498&size=1

Finally a ripe bunch in that patch of hers:

(Much more "blue" than my bunch by far)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=49499&size=1

The physiology of the bunches share some similarities with mine I agree, but I really don't see any coloring to signify mine as Blue Java. Could you please explain why you assert it's that variety? Thanks again :)

Iunepeace
06-07-2014, 02:17 PM
I'd guess Ice Cream. Based on p-stem color, size, shape, and color of the fruit. Would be surprised if it was not.

I think the problem is that I wasn't there to see the fruit bunch ripen, so I don't know if they were blue or yellow. And I think my family boiled most of em green :ha:

Fingers crossed for it to be an Ice Cream though; are they better than Raja, Brazilian and Namwahs?

Duckfood
06-07-2014, 03:17 PM
Everyone has their own opinion as to which is "Better"... Sort of like asking people which is better; Ford or Chevy???

Most Ice Cream taste reviews here have been non-flattering at best...

Iunepeace
06-27-2014, 11:15 AM
Update: I'm finally back in the summer from college and have been doing some more banana research while I'm getting my garden and bananas back into gear. Venturabananas commented on a post a couple years ago by a grower who thought he had IC but turned out to be Namwah. Apparently Namwah has purplish coloring where the fingers connect to the stalk? If so this is probably a Namwah (or Silver Bluggoe) and not an Ice Cream since some of the flowering pictures definitely show a purplish connection to the stalk. Thanks for the help everyone :)

I'll link the thread I read about the purplish connection in:

http://www.bananas.org/f2/ice-cream-blue-java-flag-leaf-16568.html#post203819