How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

This bunch is 5 months old. I've always heard general rule of thumb is 6 months.

It's my first bunch and once I hack down the fruit, I'm digging up the whole mat.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

I usually try to wait until some start to turn yellow which I'd think would be any day now. DBs and Williams always seem to be 6 months, but the Ice Creams I've had have been earlier, like 4.5 months or a bit longer. I'm sure they'd be fine if you cut them now. That's a bigger bunch of Ice Creams than I've ever gotten. They look great!

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Out of curiosity, why are you removing the mat? Do you not like ice cream bananas? Many of your bananas.org brethern are anxious to get a bonafide IC plant. You've got the real thing.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Looks great. Do you have it staked up?

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Yes I have it propped up with a 12 foot PVC pipe. I'm getting rid of it because its so robust. The mat needs a lot attention because its so vigorous. At last count, I've removed 14 pups.

Here in Hawaii, it'll grow to 14 feet plus with monster pstems. The pups aren't much smaller. On the mainland, they have a cold season where growth stops or the pstem dies. In Hawaii it'll grow year round. So long story short, it spreads too much and takes up a lot of space. Otherwise, it's a great plant that is very bountiful.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

That bunch looks great. I hope mine will be close to that size. I was going to pull mine right after my bunch, but I think I am going to wait for my other varieties to fruit. All of my other plants are really young. Best wishes

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

More than any other variety I have, all my Ice Creams fall over long before the bunch emerges if they aren't propped up somehow. The real thing is common here in Hawaii. In my limited experience trying to sell pups, very few want them and the fruit is hard to sell too. There are so many better tasting options for people here to find, both in terms of plants and fruit.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Foodland has been carrying Ice cream for a few months now. $1.49 a pound. I also think it's just not good enough.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Makes me glad I have thee imposter.. :^)

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

So i other words you guys in Hawaii that has the true Blue Java would say that Nam Wah is better tasting?
Maybe I should stop looking for the real blue java then.

I love my Nam Wah but I thought Blue Java was even better or at least equal in taste.
Or are there other Nanas you feel are better tasting?

:waving:

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Namwah is better. Plus we have access to tons of Brazilians which are my favorite.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

There are quite a few I think are better tasting. Namwahs are one of the best, I think, though I like the tanginess of DBs, Mysore, and Raja Puri too, probably more so as ones to eat every day. My other favorite without any sub-acid taste is Gros Michel. The real Blue Java makes very interesting looking and beautiful fruit because it's blue. But it doesn't taste like Ice Cream. I usually force myself to eat one or two off a bunch, then freeze the rest. They make a great frozen banana in smoothies or as dairy free and sugar free "ice cream." Eaten out of hand, I particularly find the Blue Java texture off putting. They taste better when ripe, but then the stringy part of the peel sticks to the banana and makes it kind of gross.

If you want the novelty of a blue skinned banana, go for it. But don't seek it out for the fruit IMHO.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Just checked them again today and took a better photo with the digital camera. It looks like they should be ready any day now.



Kostas, I noticed some more sword pups coming up. There are some monster ones that are too big but there's a good size one and two small ones that I'll send to ya. So if one survives that long journey, you'll at least have the real Blue Java.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

AWESOME!!!! Both the bunch and the news!!! Thank you very very much Cheson!!!!! :woohoonaner:

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

I don't think I've ever seen a better looking bunch of Ice Creams. They look huge!

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Each finger is pretty fat. It must have loved all the fish emulsion and zoo dung lol

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Thanks for all the info. I just bought a supposed TC ice cream. Now I hope it is mislabeled. Oh well.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

I harvested the Blue Java today. :woohoonaner: It took about 6 months and the bunch weighed 52.3 lbs! Largest finger had a circumference of 7 1/8".

Kostas, I'll dig up your pups soon!

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

Hahaha. Funny post.

Re: How long does it take for Blue Java fruit to ripen?
 

I have been critical of Blue Java, but you really could do a lot worse. I have tasted some horrible bananas lately.