Blue Java Banana: Nature’s Own Vanilla Ice Cream

Imagine peeling a magical banana that has beautiful blue-green tinted skin and tastes exactly like vanilla ice cream. Yes, you guessed it right! That’s the Blue Java Banana, a rare and exotic-looking fruit with a creamy custard-like texture that is surely irresistible. 

Whether you eat it fresh or blend it into smoothies, the Blue Java is the guilt-free dessert that you have been waiting for and a must-try fruit for all the fruit lovers out there. But what else is special about it? Unlike other large trees, this eye-appealing Java tree can add a cherry on the cake to your balcony garden. 

Without any further ado, let us explore more about this tropical Java Blue Banana tree, its taxonomic overview, and other alluring varieties of banana trees.

Blue Java Banana: Introduction and Taxonomic Overview

Known for its aromatic and vanilla-like sweet fruit, the Blue Java Banana is also known as the Ice Cream Banana, Vanilla Banana, Hawaiian Banana, and Ney Mannan. With beautiful silver-green leaves, this evergreen tree is famous for its eye-pleasing structure and the unique blue-green fruits that it bears. 

Moving further, let us learn more about the Blue Java Ice Cream Banana plant and study its taxonomic overview.

The nomenclature of Blue Java Bananas is triploid, which means that it is a hybrid of the seeded banana Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. 

Furthermore, check out the complete care guide for this attractive tropical tree and understand its climatic requirements.

Complete Care Guide for Blue Java Banana Tree

Similar to the Japanese Maple trees, the Blue Java Banana is also praised for its aesthetic beauty and ornamental appeal. With minimal upkeep, Blue Java fruit is the most preferred choice for gardeners to grow. Let us explore the basic care requirements of this striking plantain.

Light Exposure

Blue Java Bananas prefer to grow in warmer climates with temperatures between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius. Almost all the species of this tree require at least 6–9 hours of direct sunlight and can also survive in partial shade.

Water Requirements

The Blue Banana tree requires consistent watering at regular intervals. While watering, make sure that the soil is kept moist but not waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot, which will eventually kill the tree. 

Once the tree is mature, only water when the top layer of the soil is dry, and be ready to make seasonal adjustments. During hot, dry weather, increase the frequency of watering the Blue Java Banana tree. 

Soil Conditions

Just like the Autumn Blaze Maple, this Hawaiian Blue Java Banana tree also demands well-drained, permeable soil. For perfect growth, moist soil with rich organic nutrients is the best option. If you find the leaves turning yellow, it means that the pH levels of the soil are not accurate.

Fertilizer

Although the correct fertilizer depends on the plant’s age, growing stage, and environmental conditions, during the initial growth stage, the Blue Java Banana plant requires a well-balanced fertilizer with high phosphorus levels. Once the fruiting starts, the tree prefers a high-potassium fertilizer spray. 

Most of the banana trees and their species, including the Blue Java Banana tree, find it difficult to survive in frost weather; therefore, before planting this perennial shrub, make sure you check the climatic conditions of the location. 

Different Varieties of Banana Trees

Banana trees come in many varieties, most of which are classified into three main categories: edible dessert bananas, plantains, and wild banana species. Scroll further to learn more about the cultivars that fall under each category.

Edible Desert Banana Trees

Including the Blue Java Banana tree, many other banana trees also produce edible varieties. Coming up next are some prominent desert banana trees that you shouldn’t miss out on.

1. Dwarf Cavendish Banana

The name of this species is due to the height of the plant, not the fruit. Just like the standard banana, Cavendish bananas are also edible. It is an easily manageable tree type and can grow up to 10 feet (ca. 3 m) tall. This is the most commonly planted and marketable banana variety. 

2. Apple Banana Tree

The Apple Banana tree is a tropical evergreen tree that produces banana varieties with an apple-like flavor. Commonly grown in Southeast Asia and the Philippines, this tree type grows up to 6-8 ft tall and thrives in warmer climates. 

3. Manzano Banana Tree

Similar to other varieties, the Manzano banana also has a hint of apple flavor in its fruit and is mostly used in puddings and salads. This is a subtype of the apple banana tree and grows up to 10 feet (ca. 3 m) tall. A perfect choice for home gardeners, the Manzano banana tree grows best in nutrient-rich soil. 

The edible banana trees are usually flowering trees that produce edible fruits, and the stems of these trees are not woody. Grand Nain and the classic banana tree are some other examples of this category.

Plantain Banana Trees

Native to Tropical Asia, the plantain banana varieties have more starch in them and cannot be eaten raw. The trunks of these trees are typically made up of rolled leaves and are also called pseudostem. Let us explore some unique varieties of the plantain banana trees. 

1. French Plantain Banana

Known for its rich flavor, cream-like texture, and unusually large size, the French Plantain banana originated in France and in the Caribbean. The fruit of this species cannot be eaten until baked, fried, grilled, or cooked properly. Also known as the French Horn, this fruit is usually seen growing in bunches.

2. Rhino Horn Banana

The Rhino Horn Banana tree produces the longest bananas, measuring about 2 feet (0.61 m) in length. Also called Rhino Horn Plantains or African Rhino Horn, the fruits of this tree are slightly stretched out, angular, and have pointed ends, resembling the horn of a rhinoceros, which is how it got its name. 

3. Burro Bananas

Burro banana is yet another cultivar of Plantain Banana trees, and the fruits of this species have a unique appearance. Usually short and square-shaped, the Burro bananas are also called Chunky bananas, Horse bananas, and Orinoco bananas. These are primarily cultivated in Mexico and the Philippines. 

A staple in many kitchens worldwide, plantain banana trees are not simply fruit-bearing trees. With proper growing conditions, you can enjoy a beautiful harvest.

Wild Banana Trees

Wild Banana trees typically produce inedible fruits and are full of seeds. It is said that there are almost 50+ species of Wild banana trees, but they are majorly categorized into three types. Scroll further to learn more about them.

1. Musa acuminata

Musa acuminata is the most common yet widely known example of Wild Banana trees. These are also said to be the wild ancestors of the most popularly cultivated banana species. Having antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, Musa acuminata has also been used to treat many non-communicable diseases. 

2. Musa balbisiana

Musa balbisiana is a wild banana plantain species. This is also known as the ancestral variety of the modern banana trees and is famous for its red maroon flowers that it bears along with blue-green fruits. The big, lush leaves of this tree are used for packaging goods in Thailand. 

3. Musa markkui

Musa markkui is also known as the wild banana tree of Northeast India. The tree has been named after Markku Hakkinen, a self-taught botanist and a leading expert on the taxonomy of bananas. Known for its large, lush green leaves, Musa Markkui is an ornamental banana tree. 

Ancestors to many cultivated varieties of the modern banana trees, the wild banana trees have a rich nutritional value and are used for many medicinal purposes. 

Conclusion

To sum up, we can say that if you are planning to enter the farming domain and want to start with something that requires minimal care but is exotic and has an eye-appealing beauty. Then, the Blue Java Banana can be your go-to option. 

Featuring a delightful sweet taste, a soft creamy texture, and a distinctive skin color, this Blue Bananas beauty is your conscious indulgence.