pgggg

Hi all, been reading these forums for a bit, but first time posting. I bought some blue java bananas at a nursery, and it had 6-7 chutes which i split. I placed a few in the ground and the rest in buckets including the mother? corm with one sucker. It has been a few months, and the leaves are coming out slowly, 11-14 days for a new leaf as compared to once a week which is what I am reading here is normal. (all the plants seem to be growing at the same rate, including the one I have in the ground) I am getting new green healthy looking leaves, but over 2-1/2 months, while I have noticed I am getting new, healthy leaves, i am not getting much vertical growth. the base of the pseudo stem is a lot wider, and slightly soft if i squeeze it. Everything I read says these bad boys need to get to 10-15 feet to flower and fruit, but at the rate I am going it will take me about 3 yrs to get there. My concern is that it’s the middle of the growing season and things are slow-going.

- also, should i split off the pup? as it seems to be outgrowing the main plant.

pgggg

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Bananagardendreamboy

As weird as it sounds it should hit a growth spurt once it has several strong leaves. Mine had like 7 or 8 very healthy leaves before it started growing vertically much. Also I wouldn’t be surprised if that plants best pups were much faster growers vertically. Being transplanted always slows the growth but pups from a strong system below skyrocket out the gate.

I think they’re ready to go into the ground. And I’d try to keep them together if you transfer to the ground, trying not to disturb any roots or corm will help it develop and grow the quickest in the long run. One pup shouldn’t hurt it you will probably see more on the mother corm mat

Backyard Banana Joe

Yours are DEFINITELY not blue java. They appear to be ensete glaucum. Here is the link from our wonderful wiki:

Ensete glaucum - Bananas Wiki

They might be too dry. Other wise they look fine. They grow slowly anyway. They never get very tall.

smeash

Im no expert, but i do agree with BBJoe, yours definitely does not look like blue java. I have a real blue Java, and your has an upward growth habit compared to my BJ, or even my Namwah.. what nursery did you buy it from?
It is common knowledge that most Blue Java purchased at "nurseries" are typically another species. I didnt know either, and ended up with namwah.. which im happy about at least. If you want a real blue java, find it from someone on the forum.. otherwise its a box of chocolates..

pgggg

welp, darn. Any idea where to get an actual blue java banana tree?

Also, any idea if the “snow banana” produces edible fruit?

I picked i this up at a local nursery, and had to look it up based on the tag. Def mislabeled then, but i guess better finding out now than when I can’t figure out why my bananas aren’t blue!

Totally bummed though.

pgggg

Sorry, just reread, get the real deal from someone on the forum. Thanks for the help folks!

Backyard Banana Joe

Not edible...... Purely ornamental!