Hello, this is my first post. Musa Basjoo planted last fall and did well until the first freeze. This spring came back fast and has been starting a new leaf about once a week. But the leafs turn brown and eventually fall apart. One of the six plants has dissapered above the ground, but still has a healthy looking root. Gets water regularly and fertilizer ever 2 weeks. I'm in North Texas and it is very windy. Thanks Image link:

Cold and wet are a bananas worst enemy. I would dig up the rootball and check the roots and true stem/bulb for signs of rot. If they are mushy or black that means they rotted. Bananas like water but like to be well drained. Make sure you have large holes in the bottom or your pot and lots of perlite or other coarse medium mixed into your potting soil.

Yes I think that it is likely still alive. You might want to spray a copper based anti-fungicide onto the white root stump and the surrounding soil to discourage rot. Look for new shoots coming up from the surrounding soil. I would suggest trying to keep the soil moderately dry - avoid soaking. Some of the Musa B's that I brought indoors last November died. But several months later new shoots emerged from the roots in the pots. The plant that I kept outdoors this winter was cut to about 1 1/2 feet in height and was located against the foundation of my home in a courtyard well protected from the dominant winds (W, N, NE). I covered it with straw and then insulating bubble pack snuggled up against the concrete foundation. On Easter weekend, I uncovered it. The main stalk was half rotted, and white mould was growing around the base. So I cut it back by about 1/2 and sprayed it with anti-fungicide. Younger shoots from the soil have actually out-performed the main stalk and are already showing leaves. This is my first year of overwintering a M.B. here in Montreal. Good luck and let us know if something comes up. /David. Good luck.

Have you checked with MAF as they have a list of prohibited plants & seeds? As you are most likely aware, there is red tape to go through to import items into NZ. It's not worth the risk to buy something from overseas and have it 'caught' - remember they do use the Beagles for detection! Some items need to go into quarantine! Check MAF's website and email them if necessary. They are very helpful if you need contact them. [I am in the process of seeking to export seeds to New Zealand from the US]. Please spare a thought for New Zealand's unique environment - it's sad enough now reading online how many millions it is costing to eradicate items that were smuggled in and turned loose! Good luck! Kate