jayess99

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

2woodensticks

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???????

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jayess99

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

servatusprime

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.