How To And When To Plant Canna Bulbs

Canna lilies are simple to develop perennials which are usually handled as annuals in cooler zones. They’re the one genus within the Cannaceae household and had been initially tropical crops which have develop into tailored to temperate areas.

These stunning crops produce pretty blooms in varied shades, relying on which of the ten species (or numerous cultivars) you’re rising.

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However no matter whether or not you’re rising Cannas as annuals or perennials, you’ll should dig them up sometimes – both to divide or for overwintering indoors.

When this occurs, replanting is a bit more difficult (however not by a lot) than merely shoving some bulbs into the bottom in order for you the most effective outcomes.

How And When To Plant Canna Bulbs

You’ll ideally need to plant your cannas within the spring as soon as the hazard of frost has handed.

Getting ready the soil and planting on the correct angles will assist make sure the hardiest blooming interval.

Do Cannas Have Rhizomes Or Bulbs?

Earlier than we go any additional, the elephant within the room have to be addressed. Though the time period “canna bulb” is widespread, canna lilies are rhizomatous crops. Why is that this vital, you is perhaps asking.

Effectively, rhizomes and bulbs have completely different inner constructions and must be planted at completely different orientations, and are even divided in a different way.

We received’t be discussing canna division right here, however orientation is undoubtedly important in order for you your canvas to return up correctly.

One other vital distinction is the inner construction, which can have an effect on what to search for when doing inspections.

The simplest approach to describe rhizomes vs. bulbs is to match potatoes or ginger and onions. A rhizome appears like ginger on the skin, with thick, branching constructions that may be separated by merely breaking them aside.

The within appears like a potato, white and starchy, and the skin has eyes much like potatoes.

In the meantime, bulbs have a little bit of a teardrop form, with progress sprouting from the highest.

Once you reduce right into a bulb, you’ll discover it has layers like an onion, and the bulbs usually have an outer rind much like onions and chives.

We encourage you to make use of the correct terminology since it might get rid of many widespread issues that come up from forgetting which root system you’re working with (but in addition know previous habits can die onerous).

Greatest Time To Plant

Cannas aren’t massive followers of frost, so that you’ll need to wait till the hazard has handed. There are two completely different faculties of thought on planting cannas; each are right.

If you’d like your cannas to bloom somewhat earlier, you possibly can plant them indoors in pots as much as a month earlier than the final predicted frost. This provides them a head begin whilst you look forward to the correct outside planting time to reach.

The opposite methodology is to attend till the ultimate frost has handed, then plant immediately into the bottom. This methodology will nonetheless produce wholesome blooms, however you might have o wait somewhat longer to see these stunning flowers.

You’ll be able to plant cannas immediately within the floor in early spring in the event you stay in a frost-free zone. That is good in the event you’ve simply bought your canna rhizomes or are dividing them this yr.

Look at Your Rhizomes

Whether or not you’re within the strategy of dividing the rhizomes or are storing them over the winter, you’ll need to take a look earlier than planting to make sure they’re nonetheless wholesome.

Examine for any darkish or mushy spots that point out an an infection and wither curb these (for extra in depth rhizomes) or discard the rhizome.

Once you break a rhizome, it needs to be white on the within.

Every rhizome ought to have not less than 2 to three eyes.

Lastly, you possibly can soak the rhizomes in 1 half bleach to 9 to 10 components water for half an hour, then air dry for a day or so to make sure they’re freed from fungal spores or micro organism.

Early Potting

When potting a canna rhizome early, you’ll want a pot and a few organically-rich, well-draining potting soil.

Some Miracle-Gro or a equally high-quality combine for African violets with a little bit of added perlite can work wonders for many crops, together with canna lilies.

You’ll seemingly solely have to water the pot a couple of times after planting.

Use the soak-and-dry methodology to make sure the soil is persistently moist however not moist.

Getting ready The Soil

Choose a pleasant, sunny spot for planting the cannas and dig about 4” to six” inches all the way down to loosen the soil.

You’ll need to house dwarf cannas 1’ foot aside and taller varieties 2’ ft aside.

Combine some peat or sphagnum moss (the previous will increase acidity barely whereas the latter is extra impartial) or natural compost into the soil.

Should you plan to check the soil, a 6.5 to 7.0 pH is ideal for many crops, together with cannas.

You may additionally want to add a layer of coarse sand on the backside of the outlet to create a buffer in wet areas and/or combine some perlite or coarse sand immediately into the soil to enhance drainage.

Planting the Rhizome

It would be best to lay the rhizome horizontally on the bottom with the eyes going through upwards.

Cowl the rhizome with 3” to six” inches of soil, then water the spot to assist the soil settle.

For rhizomes which have been given a head-start, plant them to the identical depth they had been within the container.

It’s possible you’ll select to make the topmost layer 1” inch of mulch so as to add further insulation, though this isn’t vital for hotter zones.