Storing Banana Plants Over Winter: Corm Clean, Newspaper, Cool Dark

Received banana plants cut for winter. How to store?

Protocol

1. Cut top to 2 ft.
2. Clean all soil off corm (root ball).
3. Wrap corm in newspaper, dampen.
4. Place in plastic bag (not sealed).
5. Store dark, above freezing, below 45°F (garage, basement).
6. Re-dampen newspaper when dry.
7. Spring (post-frost): plant outside, water with soluble feed, then keep moist.
8. Monthly high-K granular once growing.

Why This Works

Forces dormancy. Prevents rot. Corm survives; leaves sacrificed. Standard for temperate banana growers.