Hello from Oregon
 

:08:Hello!:08:
Kat here. New to the forum. My experience with bananas (so far)
-banana #1, purchased from Wellspring Gardens online 5/7/13. Was sold to me as a blue java. To date it has made bananas only once, and honestly I don't know for certain whether it is or is not a blue java. It has been a good, strong, green indoor plant. Has been grown indoors (in Oregon)
-bananas #2 and 3 (difference being one is indoors vs one is outdoors). Also purchased from Wellspring Gardens online, on 3/27/20. Also sold as blue java but they are DEFINITELY not the same species as the first. They have pink veins, which the first plant never had.

What I'd really like to achieve is actual identifications of what banana species I really have. If neither of them is actually blue java I'd like to track down a confirmed blue java pup to add to my little collection. Someday I might add another species (I've watched a youtube where a guy says one tastes like strawberry shortcake, which definitely sounds appealing) but can't have 'too' many more since am limited on space. Especially seeing as I don't know which species can/can't survive my climate's Winters (am testing banana #3 outdoors with a protective mulch cage this year). Would also like to expand on my general banana knowledge over time. Someday I might even look into trying banana wine.. have never tasted and am pondering if it is good. Cheers :bananas_b

Re: Hello from Oregon
 

Welcome to the Jungle..:woohoonaner:


Good luck with your plants

Re: Hello from Oregon
 

Welcome to Bananas. My 1st banana was also suppose to be a blue java (ice cream) banana but it was not. I like the little banana but like you, I hope to one day have the real ice cream in my yard. Wish you the best of luck

Re: Hello from Oregon
 

Welcome! So did i understand that you grow your plants indoors full time? If so, fruiting one is quite an accomplishment! Conrgrats! You new plants from Wellspring sound like namwah.. I have the same from them that I purchased last year and they are all namwah. They get BIG.. so indoors may be a challenge! Best of luck!

Re: Hello from Oregon
 

I wouldn't say it was an amazing harvest but banana #1 did make 4 tiny bananas once. That was with me basically giving it nothing but water. As I get more into bananas I'll give better care+I imagine it can perform much, much better. I've grown #1 in the living room (fairly large windows.. someday I hope for a big greenhouse where I can stash all my lovely tropical plants/trees) for years. #2+3 were purchased this year; I've got one indoors and one in the ground so I can practice overwintering a banana for the first time. So far I've built a 'cage' with 4 t-posts and about 4' tall of chicken wire wrapped around. My intent is to fill that with dry leaves as insulation from the cold (at the suggestion of a youtube video). I've also been skimming the forum for other overwintering tips. It would be nice to know how to have success both indoors+out. This week I ordered a pisang ceylon (from a seller on ebay) which will also be put in the living room. It seems to be the variety claimed to taste either of strawberry shortcake, berry, apple, or citrus (depending on the source) but everybody seems to agree it has excellent flavor so I figure I'll try it. +Someday I'll track down a real blue java. For now I uploaded pix of bananas #1-3 in my gallery; would appreciate anybody's input on identification. I still think #1 is a different species from #2+3. The latter have pink 'veins' which #1 never did.

Re: Hello from Oregon
 

Hi Soir_Noir, Blue Java bananas are blue when unripe and a pale-ish yellow when ripe. Hope this helps :)

Re: Hello from Oregon
 

Hi Kat-

Welcome aboard the Banana Express. :nanerwaveytrain: