Blue Java bananas, scientifically known as Musa balbisiana ‘Blue Java’, are a cold-hardy variety of bananas that can be grown in many temperate climates. With their icy blue-green skin and creamy vanilla interior, these small, sweet bananas add a touch of the tropics to any backyard.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Blue java bananas are not your typical yellow Cavendish grocery store banana. They are part of the Musa genus of bananas but are a distinct variety. Blue java bananas are smaller and plumper than the long, skinny Cavendish. When ripe, they also develop a silvery-blue peel, unlike the bright yellow skin of a supermarket banana. But the real difference is found when you take your first bite. The soft, creamy flesh has a rich vanilla-like aroma and flavor.
Why Grow Blue Java Bananas?
Adding blue java bananas to your home orchard or edible garden has many advantages:
- Cold hardiness – Blue java banana plants can withstand brief temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 C), making them one of the most cold-tolerant banana varieties. Their resilience allows them to be grown in many temperate climates.
- Compact size – Blue java banana plants only grow 6-8 feet tall at maturity, unlike giant banana varieties that can reach 20 feet. Their compact size makes them suitable for small yards.
- Edible fruit – Each blue java plant can produce dozens of plump, sweet bananas perfect for snacking or using in baked goods. Expect around 60 pounds of fruit per mature plant.
- Ornamental appeal – Blue java banana plants provide exotic tropical flair With broad green paddle-shaped leaves and striking blue-green bunches. Their bold foliage can highlight a garden bed or container.
- Fast growing – Under ideal conditions, blue java banana plants can grow up to a foot per month when young. You’ll be harvesting fruit within a year or two after planting.
If you love bananas and want the challenge of growing tropical fruit in a cooler climate, blue java bananas are a perfect choice. Let’s go over how to cultivate these mini banana plants successfully at home.
Caring For Blue Java Bananas
While blue java banana plants are more cold tolerant than other varieties, they still perform best in warm, sunny conditions similar to what they’d experience in the tropics. Follow these tips to keep your plants happy and productive:
Sunlight & Soil
- Full sun – Blue java bananas need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun equals more fruit.
- Rich soil – Prepare a planting area with nutrient-rich organic soil. Bananas are heavy feeders.
- Shelter from wind – To protect plants from drying winds that can shred leaves, Site them beside a wall or tree.
Water & Fertilizer
- Consistent moisture – Bananas want consistently damp soil. Irrigate often to prevent drying out.
- Good drainage – Although bananas like water, wet feet will cause root rot—plant in well-draining soil.
- Monthly fertilizer – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly while plants are actively growing and fruiting.
- Mulch – Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Temperature & Humidity
- Warm temperatures – Bananas grow fastest with daytime temps of 80-85 F (27-29 C) and above 60 F (15 C) at night.
- High humidity: The broad leaves quickly dry out. Increase local humidity with pebble trays and mist leaves regularly.
- Shelter from frost – The leaves will turn black once temperatures drop below freezing. Protect plants with covers if possible.
Follow these care guidelines, and your blue java bananas will thrive in your backyard. Next, let’s examine how to actually start growing them.
How To Plant & Grow Blue Java Bananas
Getting blue java banana plants established in your yard is a simple process. You have a few options for acquiring plants – container-grown or rhizome divisions. Then, caring for them as they grow is easy. Here are the steps:
Obtain Plants
You can source young banana plants in a couple of ways:
- Buy container plants – Many online nurseries sell blue java banana plants in 3-5 gallon pots ready to transplant. These are the easiest but most expensive options.
- Divide rhizomes – If you know someone with an established blue java plant, ask for a rhizome division to grow your own.
- Start seeds – It is possible to germinate blue java seeds, but it will take longer to fruit. Rhizomes are best.
Choose vigorous juvenile plants free of disease and insects. For best results, plant in spring after the last frost.
Planting Site
Pick an area with:
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours direct sunlight)
- Shelter from wind
- Well-draining fertile soil
- Sufficient room for the plants to grow (6-8 feet spacing)
Dig holes or beds 2-3 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Amend the soil with compost or manure.
Transplanting
Carefully remove container plants or rhizome divisions from their pots. Place in the prepared planting holes and backfill with soil. Water thoroughly after planting.
Add a layer of mulch 2-4 inches deep around newly planted bananas to retain moisture.
Ongoing Care
For the rest of the first year, focus on:
- Watering regularly to keep the soil consistently moist
- Applying fertilizer monthly
- Weeding around plants
- Providing frost protection if temperatures drop
Your blue java bananas will flourish if you meet the primary care guidelines outlined earlier.
Harvesting Fruit
In tropical locations, blue java banana plants will bear fruit year-round. In cooler climates, they will produce one main crop during summer.
It takes 10-15 months for plants to mature and form flower buds after transplanting. The banana bunches will start to emerge soon after.
Monitor bunches carefully and cut down when individual fingers begin to plump. Clip the hands with a knife, leaving about 1/2 inch stem.
The total yield will be around 60 pounds per plant. Enjoy fresh or let bananas ripen on the plant indoors.
Now that you know how to grow blue java bananas, let’s go over some frequently asked questions:
Conclusion
Adding blue java banana plants to your backyard is a fun way to expand your edible garden and bring tropical flair. Although not completely cold-hardy, this compact banana variety can survive brief temps down to 20 F, making it doable for gardeners in temperate climates.
With their striking silvery blue-green peel and rich vanilla interior, blue java bananas offer a unique sweet treat. Caring for these cold-tolerant banana plants is easy. Just provide them with warm temperatures, abundant sun, ample water, nutrient-rich soil, and protection from wind.
About a year after planting rhizomes or young plants, you’ll harvest dozens of plump, ripe fingers perfect for snacking or baking. Their compact 6-8 foot size makes blue java banana plants ideal for small yards.
With minimal care, your mini banana grove will quickly transform into a lush tropical oasis, producing bountiful fruit. Give blue java bananas a try for a novel and ornamental edible that’s sure to ignite conversations.
FAQs
1. How long does it take blue java bananas to produce fruit?
Expect around 12-15 months from planting a rhizome or small plant to harvesting your first ripe bananas. Plants need time to establish roots and reach maturity before fruiting.
2. What USDA zones can grow blue java bananas?
Blue java banana plants will survive down to 20 F, making them viable in zones 8-11. In winter, provide insulation or move to protected areas.
3. How tall and wide do blue java banana plants grow?
Mature height is typically 6-8 feet tall and wide. Give each plant a 6-8 foot diameter space. More room is fine.
4. Can you grow blue java bananas in pots?
Yes, you can grow them in large containers like 45-gallon drums. Use potting mix, fertilize regularly, and keep roots from freezing.
5. Do bananas grow back every year?
Banana plants will continue growing after fruiting but gradually lose vigor. Plants can be revived by dividing rhizomes.