Annie6078

Thank you SO much for your kind and quick advice! Much appreciated.

Ok, so I hope I didn't make a big mistake in the way I interpreted it, as I bit the bullet, got the only thing around I could think of -- a hacksaw -- and cleanly took of the top of the cavendish last nite ... about 18" to get past the desiccated parts. OMG! It looks like the headless horseman!!! Of course, the raw cut is browning now, so I hope I didn't blow it.

I must admit I'm worried about it shocking mom & the tender baby that's sprouted a leaf in their already-delicate "overwinter" condition, but I knew the comment was absolutely right that the desiccation would only get worse by letting it go. I was told last season that the dc's aren't the best for my area, but I had to go ahead & at least TRY to overwinter it -- it was SO beautiful last year. I have also taken the other advice of purchasing an orinoco, as that was suggested it might fare better for me here, and expect it to arrive soon.

On the dormant ones, I will follow the advice to introduce slowly to light again. Would the best idea be to try to pot them up at some interim point between now & when I can replant in the ground, or wait until after the last frost (which isn't until mid-May or so here) and just put the dead-looking stalks back into the ground and see what happens?

Thanks so much again for your kind assistance ... I'm very grateful.

Annie