Pests that might bother your ice cream banana tree include banana aphids, spider mites, thrips, and mealybugs. You may also remove leaves that appear damaged or diseased at any time. You may also prune off individual leaves as they become dried and brown, and any suckers that grow from the base. Allow the trunk to dry out for a few weeks, and then remove it. At that time, trim it back to about a yard tall. Ice cream banana trees have a single central stalk that should only be pruned after the tree produces fruit. However, as is true of many monoecious trees, you may increase the size of your harvest if you have more than one in proximity to each other. Ice cream banana trees are monoecious - that is, you may harvest fruit from it even if you only have one tree, because male and female plant parts are on the same tree. In winter, you can cut back on fertilizing while the tree is dormant. During the growing season, give the tree light applications of a balanced fertilizer that’s formulated for tropical trees once a month. Check the soil 2 inches down from the surface - if it is dry, then water the tree. In the winter, you can taper back on watering to once every few weeks. When first planted, water several times a week, and do the same when you’re experiencing very hot weather. Watering and nutrientsīanana trees like their roots to be kept moist, but not soaking. Place a 2- to 3-inch layer of an organic mulch, such as bark chips, around the root zone to conserve moisture, but be careful that it does not touch the trunk. Tamp down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Place the tree in the hole, and, while holding it upright, begin to fill in around it with good-quality soil. Unpot the plant and tease out any encircling roots, which may girdle the tree and slowly kill it.
Dig a hole that’s twice as wide as the plant’s root ball and just as deep. If you are in the southern reaches of its range, some afternoon shade is acceptable, especially during very hot weather. Site your ice cream banana tree in a spot where it will get at least six hours of sun but is shielded from prevailing winds.
#BLUE JAVA BANANAS UPDATE#
It is cold-hardy down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.īy Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on April 4, 2022.The tree grows fast, providing a harvest more quickly than most fruit trees.Its vertical form makes it especially appealing as a houseplant that can fit near a window or in a corner.Here are a few more reasons to plant an ice cream banana tree: This tropical plant grows well in southern regions, but will happily thrive in a container in the north, to be brought inside during winter. Individual leaves can be as long as a yard or more, and before it fruits, the tree has red blossoms. Also known as the Blue Java Banana because the unripe fruit is a bluish-green in color, the plants have large leaves and grow up to 15 feet tall. The fruit of this attractive plant has a smooth and creamy texture and tastes, according to those who own one, like vanilla custard ice cream. You can spread mulch around the base of the tree, but leave the trunk area uncovered so the tree can breath.Two sweet treats - bananas and ice cream - come together in the ice cream banana tree, also known as Blue Java Banana or, to give it its official name, Musa acuminata x balbisiana 'Blue Java'.Scatter one level tablespoon per foot of tree height (do not apply fertilizer if the tree is flowering or during cold spells of temperature below 60 degrees) Recommended fertilizer: 8-3-9 (or similar), with manganese, iron and zinc.Be extra careful because trees are very susceptible to burning with excessive fertilizing Leave a mound around the tree for form a basin, fill with water, washing the soil into any empty pockets around the root ball.Bury the root ball so the soil level is the same as it was in the container.It is usually necessary to put some of the removed dirt back into the hole.Take the tree out of the container by laying in the side and slipping the container off, if may be necessary to push and tap the bottom of the plastic container.Do not mix any potting soil, manure, fertilizer or anything with the soil when you plant.twice the height of the container, if possible
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