minorj

Hey everyone!

I am happy to have found this forum, as I have just ordered 2 Blue Java banana plants from Florida Hill Nursery that arrive tomorrow! I live in USDA zone 9, so fingers crossed everything works. I am hoping to use this as a forum to share my bananas' progress and to get helpful tips!

First question for everyone is about the best way to plant these 2 banana plants? should I plant them close together? or maybe experiment with one indoors and one outdoors? any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Josh

Akula

Got some bad news for you bro...probability of about 90% that you are about to take delivery of tall namwahs and 100% probability that they will not be Blue Java. Good news is that namwahs are just about bullet proof in zone 9 and produce huge bunches...get your freezer space ready.

minorj

Why is this? Is the Florida Hill Nursery not very reliable? or did I buy it at the wrong time? I will be posting a picture of the plant as soon as I get it, maybe you could help me identify it as well. Thanks

Akula

There have been numerous threads over the years about people buying an "Ice Cream" or "Blue Java" from a major supplier (just pick one) and getting all kinds of plants except Blue Java. More often than not they get a tall namwa. This has happened to many, many members including myself.

Use the search function and look into old threads about this issue. Nobody will be able to identify it from a pic of most likely a TC plant or very small pup. You will have to wait two years to see if you get the blue fruit.

edwmax

That is because of an naming error made years ago by a supplier who sent plant stock to Agristarts for Ice Cream/Blue Java. Agristarts has admitted that they are aware of the error, but continue to supply these TC under the same name that they received the original plant stock as.



Next you need to learn how to care for TC plantlets. Use the forum search function to find old threads with the info. TC plantlets need to be in a shade-house for the next 3 to 4 months until they are about 3 or 4 ft tall and has been acclimated to 100% full sun. Fla Hill nursery has not given you growing instructions for these plant. TCs are very difficult to grow out by the average end user. We ALL have killed our first ones for lack of info.

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smeash

I second this.. I bought 10 "blue java" from wellspring gardens, and they are either tall namwah, or dwarf namwah. Seems to be almost no nurseries selling actual TC blue java plants. Either way have fun with whatever you ended up with, and you may be able to find a real blue java from a reputable member or grower on this forum.
As far as growing TC plants, its definitely a process. I ordered my plants in December.. potted them into gallon pots, and grew them under lights until mid feb.. Then I moved them outside under a large citrus where they received only dappled sun for a month.. after that they went in the ground and are doing great. I ordered 4 more TC plants in march, and put them straight in the ground and they almost died.. I dug them up, potted, and have been growing in shade since then.. they are just getting to the point where I feel I could plant them. Best of luck and enjoy!

hdynad

Sorry, the good news Namwah is easy to grow, tast test is for most people Namwah is actually a better tasting banana so if your growing for taste you will be happy!

Happy growing
Darla

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Currently growing, , DGM Highgate, Blue Java, Dwarf Red, Dwarf Brazilian , Ensete Glaucum, Pitogo, Hoa Moa, Raja Puri, Thai Black, VG Chaing Rai, Manzano, Praying Hands. Yunnan, Hawiaan Crown, Dwarf Red Plantain

minorj

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Thanks for all the advice! I have potted both the TC's and have them inside where they get partial sun throughout the day. Any advice on how often I should be feeding them fertilizer/how much water to give them?

cincinnana

Welcome....


have fun here

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