View Full Version : Finally some banana pics from SC, please help identify
Dplaza
07-23-2014, 10:37 AM
Hey all, I finally figured out how to post some pics of my banana plants here in Myrtle Beach, SC. This is my first banana tree (which has since pupped several times) that I planted last summer from a local nursery labeled an Ice Cream Blue Java. I know from reading several posts, that many ICs are actually Namwah. I am really curious what I have - not really disappointed either way! I have looked at several pics of the real deal ice cream and also namwahs, but can't tell. One of the pics I posted shows red on the midrib and outer edges of the pup leaves. They seem to outgrow this characteristic as the plant gets older. I can't wait for the first time I get fruit - I know that would help with identifying too! Any help in IDing is appreciated (even if it is narrowing it down to what it is NOT), thanks!
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56476&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56476)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56475&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56475)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56474&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56474)
Abnshrek
07-23-2014, 04:04 PM
Looks like a namwah to me.. :v)
Iunepeace
07-23-2014, 06:03 PM
Looks like a namwah to me.. :v)
I'm glad you said that! The sucker looks extremely similar to how the babies on one of my taller varieties look so hopefully it's the same thing! Definitely not a Dwarf variety then; is Namwah a good variety Migual?
Dplaza
07-23-2014, 06:25 PM
Namwah as in the 15+ ft variety? I was kind of hoping for the 7-10 ft dwarf so it would fruit faster and also because I plan on digging it up and storing in the garage again this winter if it doesn't bloom - a little hard to do if it gets crazy tall.
Abnshrek
07-23-2014, 07:37 PM
12'+ cause your top leave aren't even close to stacking...
Dplaza
07-23-2014, 07:48 PM
12'+ cause your top leave aren't even close to stacking...
Glad to know, I won't get my hopes up that this will fruit anytime soon then. Has a good 4 ft or so to go to reach 12 ft. Definitely namwah tall then?
Dplaza
07-25-2014, 01:13 PM
I have been doing a lot of research and it certainly seems to look a lot like Namwah, but I don't think the reddish pink on the leaves and stem is a reliable indicator. Came across other names for namwah/Pisang awak like ducasse and kluai namwa, and it helped me find lots of other good info and pics. Misi Luki also has similar characteristics it seems. Can I eliminate it as being ice cream? For sure ABB type?
JCA433
07-25-2014, 05:33 PM
I have some Namwah plants that flower at about 11 feet tall. It is very productive with about 11 hands for each bunch.
Dplaza
07-25-2014, 10:14 PM
I have some Namwah plants that flower at about 11 feet tall. It is very productive with about 11 hands for each bunch.
I will take any production, but definitely glad to hear they produce some big bunches. I measured the stem today and it's right at 7.5 ft. Not sure how much more this plant will grow in another month, but I don't want to run the risk of it blooming in the winter. November is when it starts getting cold here (40-50 degree F) and the bananas go dormant.
robguz24
07-26-2014, 02:30 PM
I have been doing a lot of research and it certainly seems to look a lot like Namwah, but I don't think the reddish pink on the leaves and stem is a reliable indicator. Came across other names for namwah/Pisang awak like ducasse and kluai namwa, and it helped me find lots of other good info and pics. Misi Luki also has similar characteristics it seems. Can I eliminate it as being ice cream? For sure ABB type?
You're correct about Misi Luki. Most of us that have that have determined it to be a type of Namwah--not a dwarf, but not quite as tall as a regular Namwah.
Dplaza
07-27-2014, 10:10 PM
You're correct about Misi Luki. Most of us that have that have determined it to be a type of Namwah--not a dwarf, but not quite as tall as a regular Namwah.
Are the two similar in fruit (size and taste) as well?
robguz24
07-27-2014, 10:19 PM
Yes, fruit is the same.
JCA433
07-27-2014, 11:25 PM
Here is a Namwah bunch harvested in May.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56121&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56121&ppuser=7368)
JCA433
07-27-2014, 11:35 PM
I am expecting a very mild winter. Looks like a Bermuda high will dominate and prevent arctic air mass from plunging into the southeast. I think you may get fruit your plant is 7.5 feet already IF my winter forecast is realized.
The nice thing about Namwah is that the fruit fill out fast. I normally wait four months from first hand appearance to harvest but could harvest at three months or maybe even 2.5 months.
Dplaza
07-28-2014, 08:25 AM
I am expecting a very mild winter. Looks like a Bermuda high will dominate and prevent arctic air mass from plunging into the southeast. I think you may get fruit your plant is 7.5 feet already IF my winter forecast is realized.
The nice thing about Namwah is that the fruit fill out fast. I normally wait four months from first hand appearance to harvest but could harvest at three months or maybe even 2.5 months.
Thanks for the good news! I sure hope you're right about the weather. We hit temps in the teens (coldest winter in decades) from the polar vertex. Many mexican fan palms and sagos burned really bad. 2.5 months gives me a chance for edible fruit, but it would have to happen soon. What do you do to harvest them earlier? How much does cutting hands off or bagging them help?
JCA433
07-28-2014, 10:37 AM
Thanks for the good news! I sure hope you're right about the weather. We hit temps in the teens (coldest winter in decades) from the polar vertex. Many mexican fan palms and sagos burned really bad. 2.5 months gives me a chance for edible fruit, but it would have to happen soon. What do you do to harvest them earlier? How much does cutting hands off or bagging them help?
They do not have to fruit this year. If the stem does not freeze over the winter, you will get a bunch next year. You could bag the bunch with frost cloth to increase the temperature and increase growth in the fall. I sometimes remove the bottom hand not sure that speeds up ripening though.
I think at 7.5 feet it will be difficult to get a bunch this year, but next year very likely. At the end of this year they could grow to 9 to 10 feet and be very near inflorescence next spring.
I think 7.5 feet is a good size for this time of year. The only wild card is the winter weather. You have a good chance to get a bunch next year and they should ripen long before frost. I used to grow bananas near gulf coast and frost was often a problem during winter but the stem usually survived. My experience is that if the stem is 7 feet or taller by the following spring there is high probability of harvesting a bunch at least mostly filled out. Do not let that cold weather last winter discourage you!
Namwah bananas are great variety to growth in cooler climates because they are more cold tolerant and the bunch fills out fast. They also seem to be less susceptible to rot.
JCA433
07-28-2014, 12:52 PM
Look how much the Namwa bananas have filled out in only 4 weeks after first hand appearance.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=56496&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=56496&ppuser=7368)
The only downside for Namwah banana is the Panama disease risk.
Dplaza
07-28-2014, 01:59 PM
Wow that's impressive, those look full and ready to ripen. I thought namwah was a ladyfinger type, but they look longer than that in your pic.
JCA433
07-28-2014, 05:07 PM
The bananas love the heat and humidity and it has been very hot and humid this July! The temperature feels like 110 F in the afternoon! I am fortunate the AC is not broken!
Dplaza
08-31-2014, 07:01 PM
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Dplaza
08-31-2014, 07:03 PM
I thought I would post some updated photos. Excuse all the code, I guess that's what I get for trying to do it from a smartphone.
Dplaza
08-31-2014, 07:17 PM
By the way, the stem is just a hair under 9 ft so some pretty fast growth from the last month or so. Not sure what I'm going to do with this thing considering the leaves stretch well up to the 2nd story, definitely won't fit in the garage. I was thinking I would pot it up and lay it down in the garage since I can't stand it up. Any better thoughts? I tried wrapping it in burlap and lights last year but the leaves and trunk started to burn/blacken as soon as it hit freezing temps in November.
blownz281
08-31-2014, 07:49 PM
Strange. Our winters are the same an my dwarf Namwah mats always do fine wrapped with a tarp an have fruited.
Dplaza
08-31-2014, 07:59 PM
Hmm I dunno maybe your tarp method keeps them warmer? Maybe I should do that instead of burlap or use more of it?
cincinnana
08-31-2014, 08:20 PM
By the way, the stem is just a hair under 9 ft so some pretty fast growth from the last month or so. Not sure what I'm going to do with this thing considering the leaves stretch well up to the 2nd story, definitely won't fit in the garage. I was thinking I would pot it up and lay it down in the garage since I can't stand it up. Any better thoughts? I tried wrapping it in burlap and lights last year but the leaves and trunk started to burn/blacken as soon as it hit freezing temps in November.
First..... your plant looks awesome.
Many people will cut the plant in half and bring it inside.
I know it sounds ugly but it consistently works, once the plant breaks dormancy in spring it just starts over with new growth. And the pattern will begin anew.
If you are confident it will overwinter in your garage it is ok to cut and pot up.
Looks like you have 12 foot+ ceilings in the garage just cut the tall leaves off and you will good put it in a pot and wait till spring.
Or you can dig up cut all the leaves off and lean it in the garage, many folks do that also.
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