Banana trees in Penna.?

Question

I now have MANY banana trees and it looks like we are in for an early, long winter. I have heard of people that take the root ball of the banana and wrap it in plastic, keep it in cool place then regrow it next year...how do I go about this? Is there anyone that can walk me through this process? I now have 11 trees and no room to let them grow in the house. Also, if I cut all the leaves off them, will it kill the trees? HELP!

Answer 1

No, chopping the stalk off will not kill a Banana Palm.  Wait until the fall, when the leaves die off and then cut the plant way back.  Since you live in a place where the ground will freeze, yes you'll have to dig your banana plants up and store them in the basement so they don't get frozen.

My next door neighbor has bananas (he's from Trinidad).  Here in the South, he doesn't have to dig them up.  He just cuts the stalk off and covers the plant with mulch and plastic.