Blue Java Banana (Musa)

Delivery late January 2024

A highly sought after banana plant. Extremely beautiful fruit as it is. You got to be the real collector of rare plants to appreciate it.

Note that this is a real banana plant that will grow into full size plant and fruit and it is not an ornamental banana.

Blue Java Bananas are known as "ice cream bananas" because they have a creamy texture and flavor that's oddly reminiscent of vanilla custard. The bananas themselves are fluffier and creamier than your typical banana.

Blue Java bananas are quite rare and are not found everywhere. They are primarily grown in the Southeast Asian region but are also quite well-known in Hawaii. These fruits are a hybrid of two other kinds of bananas, namely Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata. Interestingly enough, these bananas are cold tolerant and can grow even at temperatures below freezing point. The plant can grow vigorously in NZ conditions and relatively productive.

You only need to buy one to enjoy this rare beauty and once it takes off you will get more pups from it.

Plant Care

• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture, watering deeply especially in warmer months. Reduce watering in cooler months.
• Temperature: Best between 26°C and 30°C. Bananas are not frost-tolerant and require protection or placement in warm climates.
• Light: Full sun is ideal.
• Fertilising: Use a high-nitrogen fertilizer such as 30-10-10 monthly during the growing season to support vigorous leaf growth. Once the plant starts flowering, switch to a high-potassium fertilizer like 15-5-30 to support fruit development.
• Pruning: Regularly remove dead leaves and spent fruit stalks. Cut back the main fruiting stem after harvest to encourage new growth.
• Mulching: Apply heavy mulch to retain soil moisture, provide nutrients, and suppress weeds.
• Pest Control: Look out for pests such as aphids, spider mites, and nematodes. Use eco-friendly pesticides if necessary.
• Flowering and Fruiting: Each pseudostem will fruit once. Fruit typically matures in about 3 to 8 months, depending on conditions and variety.
• Potting: Suitable for large containers, but requires ample space and meticulous care to manage growth and ensure sufficient nutrients.