bananaspry

Hi everyone!

So glad to find this forum... Live in Central FL and picked up a Blue Java (ice cream) banana plant, my first banana ever, about 3 months ag... have become truly hooked! Would love to pop a few questions to those who have far more knowledge than I do in this arena...

1. If I planted a 3.5' potted plant in April, is there any hope for a harvest this year or should I just dash those hopes and expect to wait until 2017?

2. Does everyone cut *all* the pups off straight away or do is it generally ok to leave 2 pseudostems? Right now the original plant has two similarly-sized (about 4 foot tall) pseudostems, and I'm leaving the 2nd one because the 1st tends to get a little sunburned and I figured having the other one would at least provide a little bit of shade for the original. Am I nuts, and is this going to kill my chances for a banana harvest this year? Should I cut off p-stem #2 and just leave the original one to grow?

3. So far I've just been dumping regular time-release Miracle-Gro on my bananas... is there a better fertilizer I should be using that is relatively cheap and widely available at Home Depot or Lowes? Don't want to break the bank with these pricey banana-specific fertilizers I'm seeing online.

4. My original banana is in full sun, and as I mentioned, tends to get a bit sunburned. So the three pups I've removed I've replanted in partial sun. I'd say they get a good 4-6 hours of sun each day... is that enough to expect the pups to produce, or should I just write those off as ornamentals in that part of the yard? I didn't really pay attention whether they were sword or water suckers... I'm guessing they're all water suckers, though, since my plant is relatively new.

5. When a big bunch does come in (knock on wood!), should I expect to have some "prop-up poles" ready to keep the tree from bending/breaking? And if so what do most folks use for this sort of thing?

6. Any Central FL specific tips and tricks I should know about? Our land is kind of schizophrenic... some parts are very clayish, others sandy, other parts rich with dark black soil. We have sprinklers just about everywhere so water isn't a problem.

Thrilled to find this forum, and thanks to everyone for your help!!

bananaspry

Oh no... just been reading that most people who *think* they bought an ice cream banana actually ended up buying a namwah! I got mine from a local specialist nursery (not a box store) but I'm guessing I might have been given the switcheroo as well? Here's my nanners...









What do you think? Namwah? And if so, is there anyone on this board that wouldn't mind shipping me a true-blue ice cream banana pup? Happily will pay for shipping and your time/effort.

Thanks!!!

bananaT

Looks like a nam wah to me.
True ice cream just have a look to them that nam wah doesn't.
It's a no brainer if you actually have both.
But nam wah apparently taste better, not to mention they grow fast
Are very hardy and disease resistant. So no loss.

And MULCH. If you live in Florida you mulch.
If you think you have enough, you're Wrong.
That's your tip from me.
I put at least 2feet deep around my bananas ten feet out.
Solves all your fertilizer and water problems.

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sputinc7

2 feet deep and ten feet out? Wow..

Probably is a Namwah, but as you said, they are said to be better, anyhow.
I am no expert, but I have read a lot and done a little with bananas, and am good with plants in general.

1. No, most likely not this year, but next spring as it warms up, it should be ready, providing you feed and water appropriately.

2. I would keep both. Two or three in a clump won't hurt much. 6-8 is another story. (Save some room in your yard for different varieties. There are many)

3. See the fertilizer section on here, and educate yourself.. Your answer is already discussed at length.

4 oops, partially answered on 2, but, 5-6 hours will do fine for fruiting. Actually some varieties prefer a rest from the sun like that.

5. Don't worry about that just yet. You may not need it at all.

6. Keep them watered, but out of puddles. Fertilize regular and mulch. I don't know about 2 feet deep and 10 feet around it, but that won't hurt. They need more potassium than you think.

Like I said, I am not the expert here, but these are the answers I have picked up in the last couple months here. I am sure others will be along to add to this.

Most of all, have fun with them. If it becomes work, the bananas will suffer.

Everything you need to know can be found on here... Read around...

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Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel.
What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.

sputinc7

__________________

If you lose your head and give up, you neither live nor win.

https://sputinc7.wixsite.com/covwc

Varieties I supposedly bought: Manzano, Cavendish, Blue Java, Sweetheart, and Gros Michel.
What it seems I actually have: Brazilian, Cavendish, Namwah, Dwarf Red, Gros Michel, Pisang Ceylon, Veinte Cohol and SH 3640, and American Goldfinger. FHIA 1, Paggi and FHIA 17... Always room for one more.

HMelendez

Welcome to the banana gang!.....

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cincinnana

Welcome to the Jungle....
Have fun here.

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Snarkie

Welcome to the Banana Express.

IDK, those pics are a little small. Do you have anything with more detail?

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The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America




"Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

hdynad

Welcome from Texas!

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