Mystery Banana
 

I bought this banana plant last year from Stokes Tropical last year as a "Blue Java" but it doesn't look like one to me. What do you think it could be? As soon as I got it I was convinced it wasn't a Blue Java because it was really black. I called and they assured me that it is. Any help identifying it would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Mystery Banana
 

Hmm, interesting. I got two "Blue Javas" from Stokes two years ago and they're more than likely tall Namwahs, certainly no black coloration in them.

Do you have photos?

Re: Mystery Banana
 

Those are not namwah. Maybe thai black\\

Re: Mystery Banana
 

I was thinking Thai Black as well. Pretty plant, but it does not produce edible fruit.

Re: Mystery Banana
 

Agreed, and wow, that's certainly not what I got. Another reason to not trust most nurseries.

Re: Mystery Banana
 

Yeah that is what I was thinking, except I kind of imagined the Thai Black to be a little more black, this has a lot of green and purple color. Thanks and if anyone else disagrees let me know. Sucks because I wanted a banana that was going to be edible. Oh well guess I'll know for sure when it fruits. They say Thai Black plants get as tall as 18 feet. Is that the measurement of the pseudo-stem or to the top of the leaves?

Re: Mystery Banana
 

When bananas are measured, most of the time it is the P-stem. I'd love to know what Thai black fruit look like though. When the time comes.

Re: Mystery Banana
 

Based on appearance, I wouldn't rule out Ele Ele at this point, though I have no idea if they would actually have that Hawaiian variety. I've also seen some other varieties get this dark coloration when exposed to something when Sunfish dumped out his backyard pool on them (at least that's what I recall he said happened). The Manzano that I got from him that had that dark coloration eventually grew out of it. So the dark coloration could be environmental.

Re: Mystery Banana
 

. Mark did it turn out to be manzano ?

Re: Mystery Banana
 

Looks like Thai Black to me too - I have had them - the leaves grow upward like that too - and fast growers!

Re: Mystery Banana
 

Still don't know -- it still hasn't fruited yet but has to be close because it's well over 10' at this point. Looks like the right thing. I'll let you know when I know!