 |
The Gardener's Almanac |  |
||||
| Index | FAQ's | Links | Photos | Guest book | ||
| Canna | Common name; Indian shot plant |
Cannas are best suited for greenhouses and conservatories in the UK
The 75mm (3") long gladiolus-like flowers come in shades of orange, red or yellow.
They can be placed out in sheltered borders for the summer months then returned to the greenhouse in winter.
They can grow up to 1200mm (48") high
The sometimes green, brown or purple leaves can grow up to 600mm (24") long and 300mm (12") wide.
Week 4; Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours or cut a small nick on each seed to allow water to enter.
Sow singly in 3 in. pots* of compost and provide a minimum temperature of 21°C (70°F).
*Cell trays will do equally well.
Germination should take around a week.
When the pots / cells are nearly pot bound (filled with roots), pot on in the same manner as plants raised from rhizomes.
Week 16; Plant up the rhizomes in pots of potting compost, taking care to just to cover the growing tip.
Place in a greenhouse / conservatory at a minimum temperature of 16°C (61°F).
n.b. Mature plants with more than one new shoot can be divided at this time.
Divide them into sections each with three growing points and pot into 200mm (8”) pots.
Week 16; Pot up the growing plants into the next sized pot or into tubs and grow on at a temperature of 16°C (60°F).
Week 23; When all risk of frost has passed move pots / tubs to a sunny, sheltered spot outdoors.
Alternatively, after all risk of frost has passed, set the plants outdoors 450-900mm (18”-36”) apart, in a sunny, sheltered well dug and manured bed or border.
Plants benefit from mulching and should be watered and fed throughout summer, especially during dry spells.
Week 42-45; Lift and label rhizomes that have been planted out in garden once frost kills the foliage, and leave them to partially dry out, before cutting the leaves and roots off prior to winter storage.
Leave some compost attached to the rhizomes, and sprinkle with water occasionally to maintain humidity and keep in a frost-free place, at about 6°C/43°F.
Rhizomes shrivel and die when kept too dry, conversely; too wet, they rot.
Cannas are generally trouble free, but keep an eye open for virused plants.
About this Site © The Gardener's Almanac 2005 Top of page