I've had no luck saving stems here in central Indiana. My best results came from a cage around the plant made of garden fencing, filled with 8-10 or so inches of black mulch bought bulk and a local nursery, then filling the remainder of the cage with shredded fall leaves from lawn mower/bagger. I then trim frost bit banana leaves then tarp over and around while leaving the stems attached inside. I usually get a few inches or more of stem not rotted in the spring. One year I did the same and weaved the heat tape/cables through the wire cage. It might of helped some but I'm not 100% sure. Good luck!
