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Zipster
08-09-2016, 02:44 PM
Hi,

I transplanted my banana from a smaller pot indoors to a larger (15+ gallon?) pot outside almost 2 months ago. I ordered a Blue Java from Wellspring Gardens (http://wellspringgardens.com/products-2/banana-plants), though they appear to no longer have it listed.

I have heard that many Blue Java's turn out to be Namwah, but this is my first banana, so I don't really know what to look for, but based on the limited research I have done, it doesn't seem to be a Blue Java. I snapped a few pictures of it this morning and I am hoping that someone here can help ID it now that it is showing more distinct features (yellow along the edges of the leaves and the newest leaf has a red rib rather than the yellow-green of the earlier ones).

Thanks!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60318&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60318&ppuser=21847)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60320&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60320&ppuser=21847)

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=60319&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=60319&ppuser=21847)

meizzwang
08-09-2016, 04:57 PM
At this stage, there's no way of knowing with 100% certainty what you have outside of a DNA test. From what has been discussed a lot on this forum, it's not likely that the the real ice cream is in TC in the US.

Once the plant gets to 3-4 feet tall, check out the base of the pseudostem:dwarf namwah tends to produce extremely thick p-stems. I have an unknown banana fruiting at 7' right now, and my 4' tall dwarf namwah has a p-stem that's thicker (probably 130% in diameter) than the the fruiting 7' tall p-stem of this unknown cultivar!

Tytaylor77
08-09-2016, 05:03 PM
I can say for 99.9% you have a tall Namwa. Excellent banana to have. They have a look to them unlike any other banana I've seen.

Jose263
08-09-2016, 05:15 PM
I can say for 99.9% you have a tall Namwa. Excellent banana to have. They have a look to them unlike any other banana I've seen.

The yellow edges don't appear normal and you're goint to need a much bigger pot..:ha:

hydroid
08-09-2016, 11:53 PM
+1 what Tytaylor said, excellent banana. Namwah makes me look like I know what I'm doing to get fruit, ha ha.

Zipster
08-10-2016, 02:11 AM
Thanks everyone! Assuming it is a Tall Namwah, how cold tolerant is it? Winters here are pretty mild, so I would like to be able to plant it outside if possible. If not, how large of a container will I need? I have half a wine barrel (other half is home to an avocado tree) and my kitchen has vaulted ceilings and skylights, so I might be able to keep it going year round.

Richard
08-10-2016, 02:22 AM
It's toast outside in your Fall, Winter, and Spring.

http://www.bananas.org/f310/richards-guide-homegrown-bananas-46227.html#post296373

Darkman
08-10-2016, 08:27 AM
Might plan on digging and saving one six foot P-stem and planting out as soon as you can even if you have to protect it some. Goal is to get bloom by mid July and then you could probably cut the bananas just before first killing weather and hang in house. This banana gets huge. Pots not an option in my mind. It is as Hydroid said very tasty if you can get it to bloom there. Need sunny location with good soil and frequent fertilization for you to make it. Mine is probably 15 - 17 feet tall now with a bunch hanging.

I live in same general area as TJ and Hydroid. Both know more than me.