Toucan

Hi, I liv eint he UK and have been growing a Banana plant in the back garden for a few years now. I haven't ever had to really maintain it, just strip/cut back the leaves as they die after a windy period. Recently however, I have been concerned over the fact that the plant, which now has 5 separate trunks, has become water logged and when I cut back the dying leaves, the trunk is sodden. Not knowing much about banana plants, my first thoughts are that the terrible wet winter we have had here has basically killed the banana, however I would be keen to know what might have happened to it and whether it actually is dead, or is there an opportunity to save the poor plant.

thanks

lorax

First step is to separate off some of the pups (which you are calling trunks) - the clumping is probably holding water, which as you have noticed is bad for the plants. There are many threads here on the process of pup-separation - just use the built-in search feature.

Are all of the stems mooshy, or just the central one? Has your banana ever fruited? Do you know what kind of banana it is? If any of the stems are firm, separating them will save that plant. Equally if you have mooshy stems, you can cut just below where the moosh stops (if it stops) and save those plants as well.

Welcome aboard! Wish it was under other circumstances, but all is not lost!

Caloosamusa

Welcome to the organization Toucan!!

Never give up on a banana!!! What Lorax has said should be done. It sounds like the pseudostems(trunks) have been frozen back. Are they "Mushy?" It might be a good idea to do nothing until late spring after new growth is out!
If the trunk is "sodden" it may need to be removed, but wait till the danger of below zero degrees C, has past.

Best wishes!