Dplaza

Hey all, I finally figured out how to post some pics of my banana plants here in Myrtle Beach, SC. This is my first banana tree (which has since pupped several times) that I planted last summer from a local nursery labeled an Ice Cream Blue Java. I know from reading several posts, that many ICs are actually Namwah. I am really curious what I have - not really disappointed either way! I have looked at several pics of the real deal ice cream and also namwahs, but can't tell. One of the pics I posted shows red on the midrib and outer edges of the pup leaves. They seem to outgrow this characteristic as the plant gets older. I can't wait for the first time I get fruit - I know that would help with identifying too! Any help in IDing is appreciated (even if it is narrowing it down to what it is NOT), thanks!

Abnshrek

Looks like a namwah to me.. :v)

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Iunepeace

I'm glad you said that! The sucker looks extremely similar to how the babies on one of my taller varieties look so hopefully it's the same thing! Definitely not a Dwarf variety then; is Namwah a good variety Migual?

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Weather

Dplaza

Namwah as in the 15+ ft variety? I was kind of hoping for the 7-10 ft dwarf so it would fruit faster and also because I plan on digging it up and storing in the garage again this winter if it doesn't bloom - a little hard to do if it gets crazy tall.

Abnshrek

12'+ cause your top leave aren't even close to stacking...

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Dplaza

Glad to know, I won't get my hopes up that this will fruit anytime soon then. Has a good 4 ft or so to go to reach 12 ft. Definitely namwah tall then?

Dplaza

I have been doing a lot of research and it certainly seems to look a lot like Namwah, but I don't think the reddish pink on the leaves and stem is a reliable indicator. Came across other names for namwah/Pisang awak like ducasse and kluai namwa, and it helped me find lots of other good info and pics. Misi Luki also has similar characteristics it seems. Can I eliminate it as being ice cream? For sure ABB type?

JCA433

I have some Namwah plants that flower at about 11 feet tall. It is very productive with about 11 hands for each bunch.

Dplaza

I will take any production, but definitely glad to hear they produce some big bunches. I measured the stem today and it's right at 7.5 ft. Not sure how much more this plant will grow in another month, but I don't want to run the risk of it blooming in the winter. November is when it starts getting cold here (40-50 degree F) and the bananas go dormant.

robguz24

You're correct about Misi Luki. Most of us that have that have determined it to be a type of Namwah--not a dwarf, but not quite as tall as a regular Namwah.

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Dplaza

Are the two similar in fruit (size and taste) as well?

robguz24

Yes, fruit is the same.

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JCA433

Here is a Namwah bunch harvested in May.

JCA433

I am expecting a very mild winter. Looks like a Bermuda high will dominate and prevent arctic air mass from plunging into the southeast. I think you may get fruit your plant is 7.5 feet already IF my winter forecast is realized.

The nice thing about Namwah is that the fruit fill out fast. I normally wait four months from first hand appearance to harvest but could harvest at three months or maybe even 2.5 months.

Dplaza

Thanks for the good news! I sure hope you're right about the weather. We hit temps in the teens (coldest winter in decades) from the polar vertex. Many mexican fan palms and sagos burned really bad. 2.5 months gives me a chance for edible fruit, but it would have to happen soon. What do you do to harvest them earlier? How much does cutting hands off or bagging them help?

JCA433

They do not have to fruit this year. If the stem does not freeze over the winter, you will get a bunch next year. You could bag the bunch with frost cloth to increase the temperature and increase growth in the fall. I sometimes remove the bottom hand not sure that speeds up ripening though.

I think at 7.5 feet it will be difficult to get a bunch this year, but next year very likely. At the end of this year they could grow to 9 to 10 feet and be very near inflorescence next spring.

I think 7.5 feet is a good size for this time of year. The only wild card is the winter weather. You have a good chance to get a bunch next year and they should ripen long before frost. I used to grow bananas near gulf coast and frost was often a problem during winter but the stem usually survived. My experience is that if the stem is 7 feet or taller by the following spring there is high probability of harvesting a bunch at least mostly filled out. Do not let that cold weather last winter discourage you!

Namwah bananas are great variety to growth in cooler climates because they are more cold tolerant and the bunch fills out fast. They also seem to be less susceptible to rot.

JCA433

Look how much the Namwa bananas have filled out in only 4 weeks after first hand appearance.




The only downside for Namwah banana is the Panama disease risk.

Dplaza

Wow that's impressive, those look full and ready to ripen. I thought namwah was a ladyfinger type, but they look longer than that in your pic.

JCA433

The bananas love the heat and humidity and it has been very hot and humid this July! The temperature feels like 110 F in the afternoon! I am fortunate the AC is not broken!

Dplaza

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