Looking for Dwarf Banana Recommendation
 

Hello,

I'm new to bananas.org but not new to growing bananas. I live just north east of Tampa Florida in zone: 9b. I have successfully grown the Blue Java (ice cream) banana for the past 5 years. Over that time, I have harvested approximately 800 ice cream bananas. My Blue Java trees have grown over 15 feet tall and have become too much work for me to control and maintain. I definitely enjoy the vanilla flavor and creamy texture of the ice cream banana, but it's time for me to make a change.

I'm looking to purchase and grow a dwarf banana variety that normally grows 5 to 7 feet tall at the pseudostem. I do not want to grow a Cavendish type banana like is commonly carried in grocery stores. I prefer the flavor and texture of the Manzano banana that is creamy with a hint of apple like flavor. Even though I live in a very warm climate, in the winter we sometimes receive a couple cold nights where the temperature can be in the high 30's or low 40's. I'm use to having to deal with some winter kill on my Blue Java bananas but they recovery very quickly after the return of warm weather.

I would greatly appreciate it, if members would provide me with dwarf banana variety recommendations that I should consider for my selection. If you would provide me the proper and common names for the varieties as well as the growth habits, cold weather tolerance, disease resistance and most importantly the fruit normal size, flavor profile and texture.

Thank you so much for your assistance.: :03:

Re: Looking for Dwarf Banana Recommendation
 

Any short green ones ....haha

Re: Looking for Dwarf Banana Recommendation
 

Any of the dwarf varsities should work for you. The Dwarf Orinoco would grow year round at the temps you listed. While most other dwf types will go dormant at temps below 50 deg. for the winter.

Re: Looking for Dwarf Banana Recommendation
 

You might want to try a Raja Puri. I also live in zone 9B (Ormond Beach). In December, mine flowered at 7 feet and both the plant and the green bananas seem to be holding up very well through the winter. They say that Raja Puris are prone to choking and Black Sigatoka disease. The fruit are medium size. This will be my first bunch from this plant so I haven't tasted them yet, but they are said to be good.

Re: Looking for Dwarf Banana Recommendation
 

I was considering Rajapuri because it is supposed to have a very nice flavor. However the more that I looked into this variety, I decided to not go with it because of their susceptibility to the black sigatoka decease. I wish you good luck with yours.

I've only received a couple responses to my post so I've been continuing to do my research into dwarf banana varieties. At this point I'm leaning towards selecting the Dwarf Namwah because it is fairly decease resistant, cold hardy, normally grows 6 to 7, and it produces a fruit that many people like.

I appreciate your input.

Re: Looking for Dwarf Banana Recommendation
 

far as I have been able to find anything about black sigatoka is it at the moment confined to the warmer areas [tropical regions] and as far north as you are I do not believe you have to much to worry about this. like I said what have been able to find. if you need to worry about the disease buy tc's or plants around or north of you.

Re: Looking for Dwarf Banana Recommendation
 

I would like to thank everyone that replied to this posting. I was able to a source for a tissue cultured Dwarf Nam Wah banana plant that is only an hour drive from where I live. I appreciate the help from other members.

Re: Looking for Dwarf Banana Recommendation
 

I was gonna say dwarf nam wah, I know just south of me in Punta Gorda Matthew Reece of Peace River Organics loves growing them.
I have a couple TC that are doing good and i'm hoping to be true dwarf nam wahs.
Matt probably has pups available for sale (youtube whatsripening)