Dartolution

Hey everyone,
I am new here (first post), but definitely not new to gardening.
I've been growing Palms, and Tropical plants for most of my life in the southeast zones 7b and 8a.

Currently I am in south/central Alabama, and last year after a landscaping renovation to my little backyard, I picked up a small starter Musa Basjoo pup at a local nursery. (or at least what I suspect was basjoo, it was actually unlabeled, and I was told it was "the regular kind"). You can make whatever sense of that you wish.

Anyway, The little banana was planted on March 9th (see picture) and as of today the clump is about 7 strong, and at this point I have been clipping the emerging pups off at the ground to prevent anymore from coming up in the area.

These have done remarkably well, but I have been toying around with the idea of translating these elsewhere, and replacing them with Blue Java Bananas.

I would like everyones opinions and thoughts on growing Blue Java's in full sun (south facing backyard), in zone 8a in the southeast.

The area they would be in gets sun from sun up to sun down all day, no shade, and the area is on drip irrigation at the soil level.

Here are a couple of pictures of the existing Musa Basjoo clump planted this year:

Dartolution

Well, I don't seem to be able to upload images.

Iowa

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Growing Musa Orinoco since 1993 - Added 2018-Basjoo, Zebrina' Rojo, Ensete Red Abyssinian - Added 2019-Goldfinger - Added 2020-Kokopo (Short Cycle), Double (Mahoi), Highgate, Super Dwarf Cavendish - Added 2021-Pisang Ceylon(Mysore), Musa Margarita, Ensete Ventricosum - Added 2023 - Siam Ruby

Dartolution

Okay lets try this:

Here they are on March 9th right after planting:



And here they are on August 9th:



And Today:

smeash

Those look fantastic! Really makes your yard pop! Im not sure i would Move those in favor of Blue Java. The truth is, there are likely better fruiting varieties you could plant for your area. I was enamored with the "blue java" banana when i started, and like many other ended up getting sold namwah. I couldnt be happier with the namwah plants looks and growth habit.. I did end up getting an actual blue java pup from a member here, but most taste tests folks seem to prefer the namwah.
For your yard, maybe something like a Raja Puri or Dwarf namwah would be a good choice?

wstrickland1

Wow nice. I have a basjoo just slightly bigger than your March 9. it's planted in a 2 gallon temp. pot and roots are coming out the drain holes. I'm in 8-B. Should I plant this thing in the ground now, this late? The plan was to keep it alive indoors until spring but good grief seeing yours I wonder if I shouldn't throw it down!!

Dartolution

Im honestly new to banana growing, so Im not sure what either of those varieties are. What is different in the taste between Namwah and Blue Java? Which is more cold hardy? Are the Raja Puri better than the namwah or blue java?

smeash

I have not fruited or tasted either variety as of yet, however most taste reviews on you tube, and here on the forum seem to prefer the namwah. Most blue java sold on the internet are actually namwah anyway. Supposedly the namwah is a bit more cold hardy, and a more sturdy plant when carrying fruit, however both varieties get TALL. The Raja Puri appears to be as cold hardy as an Orinoco, but fruits around 6-8 feet.. search Raja Puri on the forum, and look up all discussed varieties on the wiki link above for more information. For your zone, i believe the basjoo you have growing will likely be the most cold hardy variety, which is why i would leave them where they are.. other fruiting varieties may need to be dug up and overwintered, or at a minimum insulated from the cold with frost blanket, mulch etc. Seeing as we are already in Sept, i would plant to start any new plant indoors over the winter, and transplant after last frost in spring.

Dartolution

Thanks smeash.
I planned to pot up whatever I got and bring it in with the rest of the tropicals for the winter when needed.

Is there anyone here that can attest to the namwah vs blue java debate?

smeash

One last suggestion.. If you are still wanting blue java,get a pup from a member here, buy one from a forum member who has verified the variety. Do not try to buy from any of the big online nurseries unless they specialize in bananas. Member SDdarkman (Larry) and TyTaylor both sell real blue java I believe.

Bananagardendreamboy

Looks beautiful, I’d keep them there and not switch it up. Real blue java get GIGANTIC, very thick and tall sometimes 16 feet.

Dartolution

I do like my basjoo's there. The main truck is fairly thick at the base.
It pups like crazy as well.

I would like either a good quality Namwa or Blue Java (or both) to attempt to grow here.
Im just not sure where to look for them.

There are some for sale on etsy.