blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b?

mbfirey · 09-03-2009, 05:06 PM

I just bought an Blue Java, or Ice Cream Banana, from a place just south of Charlotte NC with a tag that said it was hardy to 7B- I've read else where that it will survive to zone 8 others say 9-
I was wondering if any one has had success growing them in the zone 7/8 border and if so- if they've given fruit?

thanks

CValentine · 09-03-2009, 06:04 PM

Hi mbfirey,

I've been able to grow them pretty well so far this year, but I got a late start.
I will be right along side of you watching to see how well they do(and hopefully fruit!) next year!

I know there are a bunch more people in the 7/8 Zone!
They'll be along soon to help you out! ~Cheryl

LilRaverBoi · 09-03-2009, 07:01 PM

I've got mine in zone 6 It does great here...but I wouldn't try to overwinter it outdoors here. Undoubtedly it would die here. I'm not sure how warm zone 7b is compared to here. Let's see if someone in that zone can chime in and give you some good info!

cowboyup4christ · 09-03-2009, 07:44 PM

I am in zone 7b/8 and I don't know if I would try to winter outside I have dwarf Orinoco which is said to tolerate zone 7b but I will put them in a small cold frame green house this winter and keep them in pots till spring, then replant in the ground. you can just dig them and put them in a crawl space or basement if you have one as long as they stay above 40 degrees they will stay green I have been told. we will all find out a little more come spring.

fishoifc · 09-04-2009, 06:29 AM

Here in coastal zone 8a they make it good with no protection,there is a huge matt down the street that die back to the ground in winter then come back strong.Maybe 7b will just need a little mulch.

mbfirey · 09-04-2009, 06:54 AM

My plan for this year is to keep it inside since there's not much time till winter but then put it out in spring- and I'll probably mulch heavy...

JCDerrick · 09-04-2009, 11:58 AM

I've put several IC's in the ground this year, some back in April and some as late as July. I am crossing my fingers that with a good mulch they'll come back. Might try and wrap the stem with a straw wrap again - that seemed to help more than I expected last year with other bananas. I may dig one of the smaller ones up, just to be safe. Ultimately, just mulch the base really well if you leave it out - protecting the corm is the important thing.

LilRaverBoi · 09-04-2009, 12:04 PM

Yeah, if you have several and don't mind losing one or two, it'd be well worth your effort to at least try it. Dig a few up to overwinter indoors but experiment with a few treatments of winterizing with a few others. If you do, be sure to share the knowledge with the rest of us!

Simply Bananas · 09-04-2009, 12:38 PM

Go for it and good luck. I's told by my customers that orinocos make it through some winters if protected in Charlotte, but never heard of Ice Creams. Let us know!

JCDerrick · 09-04-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Bananas

Go for it and good luck. I's told by my customers that orinocos make it through some winters if protected in Charlotte, but never heard of Ice Creams. Let us know!

Gonna try it with some Dwarf Orinoco's and Orinoco's as well. I am going to have to resist the urge to dig up a pup of each - though I may give in just to be safe.

I am also trying to keep a Saba outside this winter and a Bordelon. No idea what'll happen with those. I have two Red Abyssinian's outside too - both of which I plan to leave in the ground.

Simply Bananas · 09-04-2009, 12:52 PM

My friend had no luck with saba, Ice cream and orinoco in spartanburg. I have heard of orinocos making there, however.

JCDerrick · 09-04-2009, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Bananas

My friend had no luck with saba, Ice cream and orinoco in spartanburg. I have heard of orinocos making there, however.

Guess I def better split a pup then. They are a bit colder up there than we are down here in Cola. I figure I'm probably going to loose some stuff, but I just don't have the room to bring them all in. I have too many other tropicals that take up all my space - plus fighting the insects on the bananas last year was a nightmare, especially the spider mites, yeck.

Blake09 · 09-04-2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Bananas

My friend had no luck with saba, Ice cream and orinoco in spartanburg. I have heard of orinocos making there, however.

Hope mine lives (blue java IC), because ime in spartanburg. Alot of much for the winter like 2ft of it maby?

Randy4ut · 09-06-2009, 07:09 AM

I'm in 7a/b, and IC's have come back in the past from the corm with just mulch. Don't expect it to produce for you, though... My Saba has returned the past two winters for me with just mulch, also... This past spring the Saba was very slow to get started and did not reach its usual 20+' overall height, but we got down to about 6F a couple of nights this past winter with below freezing for about a 48 hour duration... Hoping for a milder winter this year!!!

Simply Bananas · 09-06-2009, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy4ut

I'm in 7a/b, and IC's have come back in the past from the corm with just mulch. Don't expect it to produce for you, though... My Saba has returned the past two winters for me with just mulch, also... This past spring the Saba was very slow to get started and did not reach its usual 20+' overall height, but we got down to about 6F a couple of nights this past winter with below freezing for about a 48 hour duration... Hoping for a milder winter this year!!!

Thanks Randy. Thats some great info

ClevelandCATHY · 09-06-2009, 03:23 PM

I had ice creams in 3 different places in my yard. They came back from the corm for 3 or 4 years. This spring, none of them came back. Don't know if it was colder, or wetter, or a combo of both.

Blake09 · 09-06-2009, 03:48 PM

Cant you just dig them up every winter and put them in your basement that way they will fruit in the summer, or do IC have a too deep root system to dig them up?

Randy4ut · 09-06-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake09

Cant you just dig them up every winter and put them in your basement that way they will fruit in the summer, or do IC have a too deep root system to dig them up?

Some bananas do not store well and from mine, and several others I know, IC is one of them. I have tried to dig up and overwinter in unheated garage and under house, but they just fall apart. I have overwintered in my house in a pot, but humidity is a problem unless you run a humidifier full time, at least in my area....

austinl01 · 09-06-2009, 09:40 PM

I've had the opposite experience as Randy. Back in 2005 and 2006 when I was growing Ice Cream, I dug the plants in the fall and stored them bareroot in the garage for the winter. They came through without any rot or problems for me. The garage stayed above freezing, probably in the 40s. I planted them back outside in the spring in 2006, and they started growing where they left off. I didn't think Ice Cream was hard to overwinter. Maybe I got lucky that year.

jason · 09-07-2009, 10:55 PM

I live in zone 7a barely and left some outside for the winter even with heavy mulch and being planted close to my brick house they did not come back,,I dig all of my bananas up and put them under the crawl space of my house for the winter and they all do great. the only banana i would leave outside in zone 7-8 would be the cold hardy fiber banana..

09-03-2009, 05:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
mbfirey mbfirey's Photo Gallery Location: Pageland SC- Zone7b/8a line Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Mike Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 340 BananaBucks : 92,632 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 261 Times in 125 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? I just bought an Blue Java, or Ice Cream Banana, from a place just south of Charlotte NC with a tag that said it was hardy to 7B- I've read else where that it will survive to zone 8 others say 9- I was wondering if any one has had success growing them in the zone 7/8 border and if so- if they've given fruit? thanks __________________ www.nstarleather.com North Star Leather Company Quality Leather Goods-Made in USA!

09-03-2009, 06:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
CValentine Prolific Epistemologist CValentine 's Photo Gallery Location: Bell County, Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: Che Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,846 BananaBucks : 157,888 Feedback: 4 / 100% Said "Thanks" 7,127 Times Was Thanked 1,782 Times in 625 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 362 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? Hi mbfirey, I've been able to grow them pretty well so far this year, but I got a late start. I will be right along side of you watching to see how well they do(and hopefully fruit!) next year! I know there are a bunch more people in the 7/8 Zone! They'll be along soon to help you out! ~Cheryl __________________ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

09-03-2009, 07:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 120,251 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? I've got mine in zone 6 It does great here...but I wouldn't try to overwinter it outdoors here. Undoubtedly it would die here. I'm not sure how warm zone 7b is compared to here. Let's see if someone in that zone can chime in and give you some good info! __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

09-03-2009, 07:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
cowboyup4christ cowboyup4christ's Photo Gallery Location: Carthage NC Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Jim Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 327 BananaBucks : 63,235 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 14 Times Was Thanked 217 Times in 93 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? I am in zone 7b/8 and I don't know if I would try to winter outside I have dwarf Orinoco which is said to tolerate zone 7b but I will put them in a small cold frame green house this winter and keep them in pots till spring, then replant in the ground. you can just dig them and put them in a crawl space or basement if you have one as long as they stay above 40 degrees they will stay green I have been told. we will all find out a little more come spring. __________________ Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. In Christ Jim Babb Chile peppers go good with anything even naners and Ice Cream http://www.uponhigherground.com/waddscreek/ http://www.hs.facebook.com/pages/Car...m/254209619224

09-04-2009, 06:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
fishoifc Marlin time fishoifc's Photo Gallery Location: Nags head N.C. Zone: 8 Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 339 BananaBucks : 118,002 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 27 Times Was Thanked 331 Times in 131 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? Here in coastal zone 8a they make it good with no protection,there is a huge matt down the street that die back to the ground in winter then come back strong.Maybe 7b will just need a little mulch.

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09-04-2009, 06:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
mbfirey mbfirey's Photo Gallery Location: Pageland SC- Zone7b/8a line Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: Mike Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 340 BananaBucks : 92,632 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 261 Times in 125 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? My plan for this year is to keep it inside since there's not much time till winter but then put it out in spring- and I'll probably mulch heavy... __________________ www.nstarleather.com North Star Leather Company Quality Leather Goods-Made in USA!

09-04-2009, 11:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
JCDerrick KeoniKale JCDerrick's Photo Gallery Location: Lexington, SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b Name: John Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 324 BananaBucks : 73,587 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 68 Times Was Thanked 126 Times in 73 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 15 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? I've put several IC's in the ground this year, some back in April and some as late as July. I am crossing my fingers that with a good mulch they'll come back. Might try and wrap the stem with a straw wrap again - that seemed to help more than I expected last year with other bananas. I may dig one of the smaller ones up, just to be safe. Ultimately, just mulch the base really well if you leave it out - protecting the corm is the important thing. __________________ *Malama 'Aina* Normal Jan. Low: 34°F, Normal Jul High: 92°F Coldest: 16-20°F, Warmest: 98-103°F Annual Precip: 48 inches

09-04-2009, 12:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 120,251 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? Yeah, if you have several and don't mind losing one or two, it'd be well worth your effort to at least try it. Dig a few up to overwinter indoors but experiment with a few treatments of winterizing with a few others. If you do, be sure to share the knowledge with the rest of us! __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

09-04-2009, 12:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Simply Bananas Formerly known as porkpi Simply Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: James Island SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b-9a Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 854 BananaBucks : 295,961 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 1,191 Times in 335 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 458 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? Go for it and good luck. I's told by my customers that orinocos make it through some winters if protected in Charlotte, but never heard of Ice Creams. Let us know! __________________ Afterall...doesn't everyone want a bigger Banana? Our Banana Videos On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCii..._p_tJVXZOHAdRA Last edited by Simply Bananas : 09-04-2009 at 12:39 PM. Reason: Nothing edited. Was going to change I's to I'm, but decided against it!

09-04-2009, 12:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
Simply Bananas Formerly known as porkpi Simply Bananas's Photo Gallery Location: James Island SC Find me on the map! Zone: 8b-9a Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 854 BananaBucks : 295,961 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 478 Times Was Thanked 1,191 Times in 335 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 458 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? My friend had no luck with saba, Ice cream and orinoco in spartanburg. I have heard of orinocos making there, however. __________________ Afterall...doesn't everyone want a bigger Banana? Our Banana Videos On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCii..._p_tJVXZOHAdRA

09-06-2009, 07:09 AM	#14 (permalink)
Randy4ut Randy4ut's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,387 BananaBucks : 90,636 Feedback: 23 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,051 Times Was Thanked 1,324 Times in 444 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 87 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? I'm in 7a/b, and IC's have come back in the past from the corm with just mulch. Don't expect it to produce for you, though... My Saba has returned the past two winters for me with just mulch, also... This past spring the Saba was very slow to get started and did not reach its usual 20+' overall height, but we got down to about 6F a couple of nights this past winter with below freezing for about a 48 hour duration... Hoping for a milder winter this year!!! __________________

09-06-2009, 03:23 PM	#16 (permalink)
ClevelandCATHY Plant Manager ClevelandCATHY's Photo Gallery Location: Cleveland,TN Find me on the map! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 165 BananaBucks : 22,928 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 59 Times in 23 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 37 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? I had ice creams in 3 different places in my yard. They came back from the corm for 3 or 4 years. This spring, none of them came back. Don't know if it was colder, or wetter, or a combo of both.

09-06-2009, 03:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
Blake09 Blake09 's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: Zone 7B Name: Blake Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,237 BananaBucks : 114,381 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,424 Times Was Thanked 1,105 Times in 448 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 328 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? Cant you just dig them up every winter and put them in your basement that way they will fruit in the summer, or do IC have a too deep root system to dig them up? __________________ A banana plant in the autumn gale - I listen to the dripping of rain Into a basin at night. ~ Basho Matsuo (1644- 1694)

09-06-2009, 09:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
austinl01 Got pink bananas? austinl01's Photo Gallery Location: Little Rock, AR Find me on the map! Zone: 7b/8a Line Name: Austin Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,288 BananaBucks : 168,962 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,590 Times Was Thanked 907 Times in 397 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 507 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? I've had the opposite experience as Randy. Back in 2005 and 2006 when I was growing Ice Cream, I dug the plants in the fall and stored them bareroot in the garage for the winter. They came through without any rot or problems for me. The garage stayed above freezing, probably in the 40s. I planted them back outside in the spring in 2006, and they started growing where they left off. I didn't think Ice Cream was hard to overwinter. Maybe I got lucky that year. __________________ Austin Arkansas River Valley Average January Low: 31°F, Average August High: 92°F Extreme Winter Lows: 5-15°F, Extreme Summer Highs: 100-112°F, Annual Precipitation: 52 inches

09-07-2009, 10:55 PM	#20 (permalink)
jason jason's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 124 BananaBucks : 24,756 Feedback: -1 / 0% Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 26 Times in 18 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 3 Times	Re: blue Java, Ice Cream hardy to zone 7b? I live in zone 7a barely and left some outside for the winter even with heavy mulch and being planted close to my brick house they did not come back,,I dig all of my bananas up and put them under the crawl space of my house for the winter and they all do great. the only banana i would leave outside in zone 7-8 would be the cold hardy fiber banana..

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