New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

My brother in law had these growing on his property, and I thought it looked like the 'legendary' Blue Java.


I asked for a pup. He gave me two.




The mother plant had a bunch hanging off of it, but the stem began to collapse for some reason, probably because he never propped it up. I took a photo after it was cut.


And again just before we divided it up to share with the rest of the family.


So, nana 'experts', do you think it is a Blue Java?

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

I am definitley not one of the experts :ha: , but the fruit color and p-stem color look like all the authentic Blue Java pics I have seen.

So 1 vote from me for Blue Java.

*Passes microphone to the experts*


Did you try the fruit yet btw? How did it taste? :)

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

I am not an expert, but blue java has knuckles on the bottom (I think) of the hand of you know what I mean. Namwa do not. Smooth.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Yes, it’s ‘Ice Cream’ aka ‘Blue Java’, fairly common in Hawaii. They pseudostems snap often, they are quite weak, even if they have small bunches, so I recommend to always prop them, but even then sometimes they snap.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Thanks for the comments.

I don't think they had reached their peak ripeness, yet. Inside color was very pale, almost white. Texture was very light, almost fluffy. Flavor very mild with a hint of tartness (possibly due to the lack of total ripeness)

I don't recall any 'knuckles', but then I wasn't looking for any since I was pretty sure it was what I thought.

And I will be sure to prop these when the bunch presents itself. (tks Gabe!)

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

I am far from an expert, but blue java nanas still turn yellow when ripe I believe? If you at them in that state they were still unripe.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Correct, they were unripe, but the mama nana didn't give us a choice. They were far enough along, though, that they did complete the ripening process and were eventually edible.

:08:

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Are these knuckles what is seen on the blue java. The plants was sold to me as an ice cream and I have never been sure. The bananas are tasty from it.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Looks like orinoco. Cross between banana and plantain:08:

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

If you are responding to my post. It is a very small tasty banana. But if you say it is plantain I will not argue with you.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Musa orinoco


My plant at the moment is at leas 15 ft tall. Maybe it is the dwarf orinoco that is 10 ft.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

No. Orinoco can get up to 20 feet. And yes, I know you probably don't believe me, but it is true (albeit rare). Dwarf orinoco get around 6-8 feet, I think.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Does the full size orinoco have same cold hardiness? A google factoid says the following:
I do not believe that my banana will yield fruit at zone 7, but it might survive to come up each year.

It was purchased from just fruits and exotics labeled as an ice cream, but it does not appear to be blue and that has been my concern. I was told that during those years mislabeled bananas were being sold as ice cream bananas in many nursery outlets.
It could be Orinoco.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

I bought three "ice creams" and two "Raja Puri" from Just Fruit and Exotics years ago when I started by collection. I actually received three tall namwas and two plants that grew to around 12 feet tall (RP max height is 8') which till this day are unknown.

I don't know what you have but you do not have a blue java if you obtained it from Just Fruits and Exotics.

Orinoco are probably the most cold hardy fruiting banana and taller plants tend to be more cold hardy than the shorter version but shorter are easier to cover and protect.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Thanks. So if you got tall namwa than that is likely what I got. It might have been 2006 when I purchased that banana.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

My tall namwa will likely will have bananas this year.

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

It might!

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Yeah, that looks like a beast of a Namwa. Congratulations!

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Beautiful big namwa. Can't wait to see the whole bunch. :08:

Re: New Banana pup - Blue Java I think
 

Excellent! What town do you live in? Im in Ft Walton and growing namwah as well.