This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

Apparently, I planted this one in the wrong spot, too much shade over the winter, it was thriving last summer. Photos below are from today and Sep 9, 2009. I cut open the pseudostem, and the core is all black. If you guys say that it's a lost cause, then I'll plant something else there (not another banana).

Thanks,

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

How much height is still left on the p-stem,if its right down to the base and corm,then outlook doesn't look good really,but you just never no with nanas they all have a mind of their own.

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

6" left. So just because it's black in the middle doesn't mean it's gone?

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

I'd let it dry up and let nature take its course. You didn't say what kind it is. I bet the corm isn't dead.. I'd be patient (2 months) before I got to digging it up and let it pup out :^)

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

OK I'll leave it and see. It's a Grand Nain.

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

Mine was like that last year went clear down to the corm and a new pstem shot right up.

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

I have 50 or so that look like that :(

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

NO. It may not grow, but could still send up pups.

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

I only have about 14 that are like that, and I dug up 2 to see if there was any action going on under the surface, and sure enough I had 3 pups coming out from under one corm and 2 from the other. Just remember looks are deceiving... The resiliency of a the banana corm is nothing short of amazing :^) Have Faith ....

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

Yeah, I'd say the main plant is done for, but if you let it ride, it might send out pups. Very likely, actually.

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

My recommendation is to keep cutting back until you get to living tissue. Leaving the rotting tissue above could adversely affect the healthy tissue below.

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

Rotting will spread. The very center looks like rot...maybe cut that out.

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

I've had plants like this to push out the black bits, followed by a lot of creamy colored bits, followed by a shiny new leaf.....as if the p-stem were a caulk gun.

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

The only part that will rot is the p-stem unless its in a soup-hole. If P-stem is allowed to dry out the corm will be fine. Something may grow thru the old P-stem but its not going to be the same one that grows (a pup from center and it does happen). :^)

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

None like that this year and the big one kept 100% of its height :)

Re: This is a dead banana tree, right?
 

so true 80% of mine that end up looking dead shoot up a pup the next month or the same month.