Don't give up on them!!! I am in zone 9...it's been warm here for a while...I thought I had a couple of hopeless cases when I checked mine just last weekend. They looked REAL BAD! As of this morning, 3 new pups had sprouted from what I thought were goners!!!!

Good Luck...

When there is a hole in the ground, or no sign of life for 24 months, it is dead. Even if the plant died, the outer ring will often still have viable pups. See it more than once. I have pups coming up from corms which have fruited, been cut down, and have shown no sign of still being there for 12 months or more.

My neighbours are like that every year. Mush!!! I can't believe how they come back!!! I wouldn't give up on them. You will be surprized!!! If you want , you can buy some more. Just in case, but I would give them time!!! Diana55

I have the same situation. Mush and when I pulled up on a fairly thick looking stalk it came up in my hands. Ditto with the other 3 I had. I'm so disappointed. I know you all are being encouraging and maybe some pups might show up but when will I know? My main question is:
How far from the center stalk (which is now a hole) will the pups show up if they are still viable? A couple of inches? Maybe six or eight inches from the hole? These were the first bananas I tried and I was so happy with their growth last year and really thought they would survive.

No more waiting for me, mine are done! :-/
The only 1 I left was the basjoo which doesn't look too good as well.
I trashed all my orinocos. When I dug them up the roots were mushy and black. Didn't want to wait.
I have Orinoco,Saba and Goldfinger on order. I will try to remove them in the fall and save them indoors.

-Chip

Chip, the basjoo should be OK provided it was at least two season's old. Once they get some size, they're hard to kill! I left mine totally uncovered last winter. I have about 10 pups coming up now, but it's in a very protected location in full sun and the mat is about 5 seasons old.

Dave, you are correct!!
Though my Orinocos are done with, I left my Basjoo in. To my surprise, I see 2 little pups that are pushing up on the Basjoo! Couldn't believe it.

ironic story..... I ordered 4 banana plants from a site last week to replace my Orinocos.
Last night I go to my wifes Aunts house and we are talking about bananas.
Shes like, "Oh I got 2 in the basement that I don't want". I was like huh? How many times do I go over someones house and ask me if I want banana plants? loll
Point of the story is that if I would have waited to order the new ones, I could have ordered 2 less and save $$.
No Ill have 6 of them and haven't a clue where to put them! lol
And the ones she gave were stored from last winter and are about 5ft big!! Couldn't believe it!
Strange luck I have!

-Chip