{"product_id":"blue-java-banana-cold-tolerant-and-hardy","title":"Blue Java - Banana -Cold Tolerant and Hardy","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Java Banana (Musa) or Blue Banana\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA highly sought after banana plant. Extremely beautiful fruit as it is. You got to be the real collector of rare plants to appreciate it. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eNote that this is a real banana plant that will grow into full size plant and fruit and it is not an ornamental banana.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlue 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlue 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 \u003cem\u003eMusa balbisiana and Musa acuminata.\u003c\/em\u003e Interestingly enough, these bananas are cold tolerant and can grow even at temperatures below freezing point. The plant can grow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e vigorously in NZ conditions and relatively productive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e You only need to buy one to enjoy this rare beauty and once it takes off you will get more pups from it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Care\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWatering: Maintain consistent moisture, watering deeply especially in warmer months. Reduce watering in cooler months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: Best between 26°C and 30°C. Bananas are not frost-tolerant and require protection or placement in warm climates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight: Full sun is ideal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFertilising: 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePruning: Regularly remove dead leaves and spent fruit stalks. Cut back the main fruiting stem after harvest to encourage new growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulching: Apply heavy mulch to retain soil moisture, provide nutrients, and suppress weeds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePest Control: Look out for pests such as aphids, spider mites, and nematodes. Use eco-friendly pesticides if necessary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlowering and Fruiting: Each pseudostem will fruit once. Fruit typically matures in about 3 to 8 months, depending on conditions and variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePotting: Suitable for large containers, but requires ample space and meticulous care to manage growth and ensure sufficient nutrients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Exotica NZ","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":67589473370363,"sku":null,"price":119.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":67589473468667,"sku":null,"price":139.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":67589473501435,"sku":null,"price":169.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/3826\/3803\/files\/61LEPHqMkOL.jpg?v=1790553940","url":"https:\/\/farmfreshdirect.co.nz\/products\/blue-java-banana-cold-tolerant-and-hardy","provider":"Farm Fresh Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}