December blooming
 

I have a very unusual situation: my ice cream banana plant has just developed its first inflorescence. Wonderful you might say, except that it is December 15! I live in southwest florida, zone 9b, and for the past 4-5 days, it has been down around 50 degrees F, and I believe that it's going to stay like this a while longer. Is there anything I can do to keep this alive, and to save the bananas? I appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks. jf

Re: December blooming
 

I am west of tampa and have had flowers this time of year...they take longer and I have only had to wrap a fruiting bunch once but it did fine..about 8 months instead or 4 to 5 months..still had great fruit...unless it stays below 40 for long time..witch where I live in Pinellas it never does for very long..where are you???????

Re: December blooming
 

Hi - Thx for the reply. Glad to know that this might work out ok. I'm in Pt charlotte, it's been about 50 at night for the past week, I think it's supposed to get gradually warmer, back to the high 50's. I'm on a canal, about 20 miles from the gulf, and that keeps it a bit warmer than the inland areas. But we usually get a freeze or two. I'm not sure how I could cover this thing, it's about 14' tall. Guess I could get up there and wrap it somehow. this is a new one for me, I've got dwarf cavendishes, 7-8 ' tall, decided to go full size with this one. I'll let u know if it survives. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone else with more info. thx again. js

Re: December blooming
 

I'm in fort Myers and mine do fine so far outside. You are more likely to get a freeze than i am. In the future you can go with a dwarf namwah which I'm guessing is the same thing as your ice cream. The dwarf will be easier to protect if need be and has the same fruit.