Dotty, what you have done is just fine. There is no need to cut your canes down each season. If you cane keep your canes going through the Winter you'll be off to a good start in the Spring. I use bubble plastic on my banana canes each Fall to protect them from freezing down. Your bananas will grow much larger if you can protect the canes. If you would like to see pics. of my bananas with the trunks protected drop me an e-mail. Cheers, Banana Joe bananajoe@saltspring.com