'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

I'm getting ready to buy a tray and was wondering if agristarts actually did have real ice cream banana plants? I mean the real Blue Java plants? Anyone with experience? I've been buying most of my banana plants I sell from agristarts and they see reputable but it seems the blue java 'ice cream' is a hard to get a real one.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

It seems like from past discussions there is pretty good consensus that they are all Tall Namwah, while their Misi Luki is also a Tall Namwah, but not quite as tall. If you're going to get Namwah, might as well get the Dwarf Namwah, which they also have.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Don't you do tissue culturing yourself? You're in Southern California, and I know that there are a few sources of the real Ice Cream in your area. Maybe you can obtain a pup and put it into TC? I'm thinking about doing that with mine.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

It is my understanding that Agri-Starts is the tc supplier who has been supplying all the retailers with Fake Ice Cream/aka Namwah, so you shouldn't order from them if you want the real thing.

IMO Agri-Starts is a good company with some good people working for them. They've been friendly and helpful in all of my dealings with them.

I've been talking with one of their VP's about getting them to tc SH-3640, and he seems excited about adding it to their selection. It was on my agenda to help them get the real IC/BJ as well, and I anticipate that they'll be receptive and thankful about getting their IC problem rectified.

Actually, now that I think of it, I think I'll start a thread asking members what varieties they'd most like to see Agri-Starts add to their selection (the main benefit being that any variety that Agri-Starts tc's will become widely available and easily attainable).

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Do not buy Blue Java from them

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

It's funny how people still want Ice cream when all taste reports have been bad.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

I think the name(s) along with the scarcity fuel the desire or it does for me. Do I really want one? No. Would I like to have one? Sure.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

I'd want it for the attractiveness of the fruit, the size of the plant, and its rarity.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

They are not rare I can pick one up tomorrow.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Not particularly rare where we are if you know where to look. :woohoonaner:

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Apparently AgriStarts can't.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Lucky Cali bros get all the good stuff :( I'm going to find what I want ;) thanks again Larry :p GL

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

I think I trust my fellow Amigo's in the Test Taste, and won't bother.. From all accounts people are Happy w/ the Fake Ice Cream / Blue Java.. If it gets fixed people won't be satisfied, and look for something else.. but the sale will be complete and the only sucker will be the buyer from all accounts thus far.. :^)

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

But doesn't a little part of you wonder if those who have "the real deal" are hoarding those very special plants and just saying the fruit is awful while they snicker at the peasants who have no access to this sublime treat? ;)

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

They don't need to.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

No, sure don't... kinda like or similar to why I don't grow DC.., but I'm Happy for those that do & Succeed.. I have a threshold once a type hits it I cut slingload. I can grow something better even if it takes a lil more input.. Better is better.. :^)

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Hey, I grow a DC. Why? Because I wanted to treat myself to a plant on Mother's Day when I was at Lowes and that's what they had. I'm having a blast with her and learning a lot. Had I known she was unworthy of garden space, I'd have never found this group. I consider her a bargain even if she never produces at all.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

When its warm its the 2nd easiest banana to grow next to Orinoco.. :^)

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Well I guess I won't be getting those. I guess I will stick with the tray of Veinte Cohol.. and the Panda Purple Passion Fruit.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

If only that were true, lol! I've had a good sized plant for $12 I've been trying to sell at my farmers market for weeks. No takers. People around here tend to rip them out if they have them. I also have trouble selling the fruit when I have it. I'm winnowing them down from 5 plants to 1 after the next few fruit. The namwah fruit and plants sell quickly when I have them.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Pandas are black Possums are purple

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Of course they do.
It has been brought to their attention many times that the BJ they sell is actually just a Namwah. However, it is a matter of (big) money for them to have BJ in their catalog. Otherwise we would not have these discussions about "real" or "unreal" here on the bananas.org over and over again.
As long as people want the "real" one over a Namwah regardless of the taste comparison, they will sell it this way. Otherwise they would have taken the IC/BJ out of their catalog years ago.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

I know that you have mentioned in another thread that you do not want one due to limited space. But if you change your mind: yes, you can pick one up tomorrow:nanadrink:

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

I can't pick one up but would you ship? If so, how much to Cocoa, FL? I have a friend who went to dig pups I found on CL for free near him; they were meant for me as he didn't want bananas. (Before I joined the forum, he got to meet WormFarmer and I didn't!)

Well, he decided to keep the "IC" for himself. Except it's not an IC as I've informed him with many giggles. He's fixated on ICs...

ETA: Change in destination. Jacksonville. Holding it hostage and watching him squirm would be justice.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

Sweet revenge :)
I can save you one pup for next spring. The smaller pups are too close to my fruiting plants right now and I do have a waiting list for those.
Local pick up for some taller pups possible.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

I have a Java Blue/ Icecream that I got years ago from Richard's Seaside Bananas up in La Chonchita, CA .... I'm guessing its the real thing.
I have never been very thrilled about the taste & texture of the fruit. I was going to dig up the clump and toss it into the green bin, but I'm giving it another shot in a new location. I did this with a White Iholena 2 years ago and was shocked that the fruit actually improved with a relocation.

Re: 'Ice Cream' from Agristarts?
 

I think the nickname Ice Cream makes it very popular. Easily recognizable it paints an image in our heads of creamy goodness, add to that they are "BLUE" it stimulates our senses .. I've eaten them! Wasn't very impressed. But when I was presented with the opportunity, I got one :) -- but like so many others my blue java dreams were crushed when the flower bloomed.
My tissue culture was from the show in orlando where my buddy who owned New Turf garden and lawn store attended . As a favor to me he bought a tray of assorted TC's that included "Ice Cream".
Agria starts is a great company that provides an exceptional service to the ag industry. But yes they seem to have been caught up in the nick name game. Also you can lay the blame on retailers who are notorious from name changing or renameing or inventing new more exciting names.
Me personally ! I would only go and dig one from a plant that I've seen produced the "magic blue banana".
Just my .02