Ice Cream in the UK
 

Hi Guys,
I'm after a bit of advice.I bought Musa Ice Cream from Easytropicals the other night,it was a total bargain!
And now I'm wondering whats the best way to treat it,should I plant out or leave it potted?And is there any chance of getting it to fruit here in sunny England?apart from leaving it in a greenhouse.

Steve from Sunny England(well it is this week)

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

Hi steve.I got an icecream from easy tropics.I planted it out and it did nothing iv had it for about 2 months now and its grown one leaf.I dont know if iv done somthing wrong or just unluky.However im new to growing nanas and being in the uk its been very wet so it could be lack of heat i dont know.Sorry mate im not much help am i lol im sure sombody else will come on and say thers is thriving lol......daz

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

Hi steve i keep mine in my greenhouse and it seems to be doing ok but i have only had it for a couple of months so i dont know how it will fair over winter

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

Steve I got a small one last year from easy tropicals and its about 4ft tall. I am waiting for it to pup before I try it in the garden so I have a back up if I lose it.

this year I am trying outdoors Nagensium,Monkey fingers,Cheesmanii,Royal Purple,Helens hybrid, thats all I can remember at the moment Plus the usual suspects Lasio ,sikki, basjoo, Maurelii.

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

I guess when it turns up I'l leave it potted.Then decide what to do with it next spring.
Daz yours'll probably romp away now the weathers improved.You might want to try and get hold of a Helens,as mine has relished all the wet weather we've had recently.It went from 3ft to 5ft plus in six weeks and sent uo three pups:2236: probably down to the amount of horse poo used when I planted it.
Mark,have you not planted out Rubinea?mines growing really well.When I got it,it had one tiny pup,now its got two large pups and three small ones just emerging.Although I'm not going to leave them out,not until someone else tries em first.I'm still waitng for Cheesmanii to germinate,very slow going,still at least they've not gone mouldy yet.A good sign,especially as my success rate at growing bananas from seed is very poor.Give me a palmor cycad seed any day.
Steve

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

Hello,
I have an "Ice Cream" in its second year now , also from Easy Tropicals (great supplier).
Its a bit of a slow grower.... the best one is "Dwarf Orinoco" anyway.. I digress...
If you plant it into our horrid soil and climate then my guess is that you will lose it.
Keep it in as big a pot as you can and keep it growing.. for as long into the Winter as you can, then bring it inside, keep the leaves clean water it very sparingly and start it off again next spring.

Good luck.

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

I did toy with the idea of Dwarf orinoco,but went with Ice cream:0493:
never mind,maybe I can add one to my order?
I've got to agree that we are definately crazy growing these in the UK,especially when I see the state my Basjoos in this year,but it has got three flowers on it:woohoonaner: (had to use this one,the smiles on this site are fantastico)
Steve

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

Yea i hope so stevew.Its a very nice banana from what iv seen of it mate..daz:bebe:

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

It's funny, the stems of my small Ice creams turn almost ornage-red here in Norways' cool climate. They don't like the cold weather at all. When put in the greenhouse again, new growth turns blue-ish again with the characteristic powder.

So far, it seems the fruiting variety that grows best in cool summer climates is brazilian, dwarf or tall. "Apple" (Manzano) also grows OK.

As far as I know, neither dwarf brazilian or brazillian tall is available in the UK. This one should definately be given more attention.

Erlend

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

Erland,
Funny you should mention Dwarf Brazilian.I bought one from Easytropicals ebay site a month or so ago.Very nice little plant it is too.Its already grown 3 new leaves and has very faint markings on them.So far I've left it in the greenhouse,but took it out into the garden yesterday along with just about everything else in there.So far today the temps got up to 31C:0489:
The BBQ is now on,and the beers very cold
Steve

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

Erland I too got a Dwarf Brazilian from easy Tropicals as a small plug plant.

And yes I do have a Rubinea planted out too. I forget whats what at times.

Re: Ice Cream in the UK
 

Excellent, so I stand corrected: The british have now adopted the brazilian dwarf and tall!

I am looking forward to hearing about your first successful fruiting! I have the most faith in this one!

Erlend