‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana at 20″ tall on 8-7-09, #23-12.

‘Blue Java’/‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana

Musa acuminata × balbisiana (ABB Group) ‘Blue Java’

MEW-suh ah-kew-min-AY-tuh X bal-bee-see-AH-nuh

I bought my Banana ‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid from Wellspring Gardens as a starter plant in the spring of 2009.

Leaf of the ‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana on 8-14-09, #25-2

Information states that this hybrid is called ‘Krie’ in the Philippines, ‘Cenizo’ in Central America, and ‘Hawaiian Banana’ in Fiji. The fruit of this banana turn a silvery blue or pale when ripe and taste like vanilla custard.

‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana on 8-23-09, # 29-3.

They are cold tolerant and wind-resistant because of their strong pseudostems and root system.

‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana on 9-3-09, #31-10.

The ‘Blue Java’/’Ice Cream’ Banana is a triploid hybrid in the ABB Group of the Musa acuminata × balbisiana.

‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana on 5-3-10, #54-1.

The ‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana made it through the winter in the sunroom. Not saying it made through with flying colors, though.

USEFUL INFORMATION:
TYPE: Perennial
FAMILY: Musaceae
ORIGIN: Hybrid
ZONES: USDA Zones 9b-11
SIZE: 8-15’
LIGHT: Sun-Light Shade

‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana at 41 inches tall on 9-2-11, #76-1.

I must say the above photo was taken when it was looking it’s best. Standing 41″ tall with a lot of NICE leaves. The Tradescantia pallida (Purple Heart) was looking really good, too.

If you don’t live in zones 10-11, you can bring them inside for the winter. You can keep them in a bright sunny room and reduce feed and water. The other option for overwintering is to force them into dormancy. To do this, allow them to get zapped by the first frost, cut their leaves back to 6-8” and store them in a cool dark corner of your basement. Water the soil from time to time to keep it from totally drying out. IF your plant has not been in a pot OR if it is too large, you can remove it from the container, or dig it up out of the ground BEFORE the first frost. wrap the roots in plastic and store it in a cool dark place in your basement until spring. You can either leave the leaves on the plant to brown naturally or trim them off.

‘Ice Cream’ Hybrid Banana on 8-12-12, #115-21.

Well, we went through three summers and three winters together. A few times during the winter I began to wonder if it would see spring, but it always made it. I liked this banana for its bright green leaves.

I had to give it away when I moved back to Missouri in February 2013. Maybe someday I will try another one here. That way I can try overwintering them in the basement.

If you have any comments or questions I would love to hear them.