Nawlins Newbie here!
 

It just hit me. I read an article about the Blue Java banana, vanilla ice cream experience, I just had to have it.

I live in New Orleans which knows a lot about bananas.

I am entering this banana world with a bit of trepidation. I already have a semi-invasive (can I use that word here?) patch (of plantains, of which we pick nd fry) behind my house thanks to my neighbor, but I want to grow a Blue Java that I got from Wellspring Gardens Nursery. Reputable I trust.

Glad to be here for my latest fad, hope to have some "Vanilla ice cream" in the nearish future.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

Welcome, You may want to look up time to fruit for thst blue java as I am thinking it takes a while.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

I am patient, may even have a friend in town that has some in the freezer. So it may be a while.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

Welcome to the banana gang!........:2723::bananarow::2723:

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

Welcome to the Jungle...:woohoonaner:

Nawlins Newbie here!
 

Welcome to the Banana Group.:nanadrink:

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

Added a new avatar, thought it would be appropriate for me.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

welcome.

sorry to say but I bought 7 blue java from well spring gardens. healthy plants but were namwa. your probably going to have to buy blue java from one of the members here to get the right plant. but on the bright side; namwa is a fast grower and a [near ice cream], so they say.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

My thanks for that welcome.

It came in yesterday, very very healthy. I planted it and would love to show off the little guy but somehow I can't upload any pictures here. Not sure why, too big?

So I cheated and did this:



It was labeled ice cream, and I was assured it was not a namwah. We shall see what emerges from the pot.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

"Ice Cream" is an ambiguous name for several banana cultivars sub-groups. Orinoco has an 'Ice Cream' sub as well as Nam Wah and some other banana varieties. So when one ask for Ice Cream banana or buys a plant that is just labeled as being Ice Cream there is no telling what you really get.

... What is referred to as the 'real deal' on this forum is the Blue Java. So always ask for & buy the 'Blue Java'. And, they should be labeled as such. ... ... ...Then there is the problem of mixed up labels at some nurseries.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

I think I will try to grow this counterfeit ice cream. I have been roaming the internet up and down, well I see hope. So any advice anyone has. I know it is hard to mess this thing up, that as my family calls them- "Communist plants", but I always get a little crazy with new plants.

Only when I ingore them, and leave them to the elements do things begin to grow. My plants are like secretive trifids that sneakily grow behind my back. My plants (peppers or anything else) are not "Feed me, Seymour," but rather "Ignore me, Seymour..."

I will try this namwah, and I wonder if it will take over my yard. I just hope and pray it takes over my neighbors trees next door.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

A small update, no doubt that the banana plant is a namwah, what many here would call 'an ice cream counterfeit'. It threw out a new leaf and an outer one separated from the main stem.

What bugs me is that one of the large leaves is turning black at the edges. I mean really black. I will provide a picture as soon as my coffee is done.

i have watered it about every three days in very draining soil, full sun.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

TOO MUCH WATER .... water about every 14 days; only if the potting soil is near dry. Check the soil with a long stem water meter or with you finger though the bottom holes.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

Strange, since I watered it and have it elevated on bricks so that it will drain better. I will keep it away from water for a good while.

Checked it this morning and it is throwing out another leaf!

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

There is no doubt that this is a red traced namwah. I slaughtered wellspring gardens with a review on amazon. Damn nice plant though, came out very nicely.



By the way, would it be bad form to use this thread as my banana diaries? I would hate to have repost the whole thing.

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

You may keep updating this thread. ... It helps to save on computer pixels by recycling and not wear out my old laptop.
:nanadrink:

Re: Nawlins Newbie here!
 

I thought Namwah from the first pic.. thin, pointy jade green leaves.... Once they begin growing, PINK!!??? Yup.
Welcome to the banana nut club...