I don't have the experience to answer authoritatively, but this may help your general b/g:

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/horticulture/5086.html

I have had some water suckers that took off and did well. Others seem to grow very slowly and put on very little height. If it seems like a good grower, it is probably good to go. On the height of Ice Cream, probably about 10' of trunk b/4 it flowers.

Thanks. Does it matter if you plant a water sucker or sword sucker in terms of getting a fruiting tree? I have a large area on the side of my house which is hard to see and basically useless to me so I plan to keep replanting new bananas there as long as there is room to spave properly. Might get another variety too.

the australian article I posted was primarily concerned with commercial fruit production, and said sword suckers are to be preferred for fruit. don't know if that applies to your specific type of banana

thanks. Anyone else? I know Sword suckers are better for fruit, but if I plant a water sucker will it create sword suckers at some point once grown? If so I can just plant the water sucker to get another area started then only keep sword suckers after. Make sense? Alot of suckers mentioned there!