I've just cut my cannas back to the ground. They were pretty ragged looking, but they've been wonderful. They're in 100% full sun and did fantastic. This was their third year (or fourth). So far, each year I've just left them in the ground, and they come up fine the next summer. They have spread/multiplied so much now that I must thin them out. How do I do it. Is now a good time to dig them up. What do I do with them once they're dug? They came up all through my Indian Hawthorne, and I don't know if I can get them all dug out without ruining the IH. I had no idea these things were so hardy. Please advise.
cannas
You could probably divide now with few ill effects. I wait to cut mine until after the first freeze, which hasn't come yet. After that, I divide and replant anytime during the winter, before they start to sprout again. You could probably wait until even that late to divide if you want -- they'll grow rapidly -- but I wouldn't wait much beyond that.
But what do you do with them while you're waiting to plant again? And wouldn't you plant in the early spring?
This message was edited Nov 14, 2011 5:59 AM
Sybil.... You can transplant them anytime now. They are basically dormant roots until spring after the foilage dies back. Just make sure to keep them watered the first week or two. As for digging around your shrubs, try a fork to loosen the soil first. Pull the cannas there rather than digging; if the canna roots break you can still plant them, they are very forgiving.
Thanks, Sheila. This week and next are full with much company coming, but as soon as possible after that I was planning to dig them up. I'll just try to space them as I dig, so I can leave as many as I want to keep in the ground. I hope that will work. But then, my original question--what do I do (how to store) the ones I dig up. I can't possibly use them all. They are really thick. Will it stunt them since I didn't let the foliage die back? I'm sure I can give them away, but not immediately. Guess I could bring some to the spring RU if I can't get rid of them and they'll last that long.
Hope you and yours are well. I missed seeing everyone in October. Oh well, can't do it all (at least, that's what I hear ;*).
Smooches,
Syb
During the growing season, when mine get looking raggedy, I cut them to the ground, mulch very thoroughly with composted manure and stand back. They will re-grow and bloom beautifully. This is the way I handle Tropicana (which gets looking pretty bad) - worse than some other cultivars.
Leslie
HI Sybil :) I missed seeing you in October as well. As to your storage question.... You can rinse off the tubers and let them dry. Then wrap them in newspaper or shavings like you would use for the horses. Store them in a cool dry place till your ready to replant/trade or whatever you plan to do with them. I have a bundle in my garage right now. As Sheila said, they are VERY forgiving.
(((HUGS)))
Syb, I yanked out all of my Cannas in the spring of 2010 and left the bulbs in a bag in the garage until I could give them away at our Fall Roundup in October. Cannas are very easy to store and will grow very nicely once in the ground.
Carla
lol Loonie, I do the same thing! you really cant kill them!
Leslie I love my Tropicana! the leaves are gorgeous! They dont have to bloom for me. lol
Thanks to you all for this great info. I got all my cannas cut back except one little patch. This would be a good time to dig them up, I know, but I can't see it happening before the middle of January. That's usually when my last Christmas company leaves. s
I do absolutely nothing with them and they always come back- Once in a while however I pull out grass that grows between them.
As Frostweed said - they are very forgiving. Check out some packages in the stores and you will notice how small, dried and shriveled they are. Doesn't take much for them to come back. Biggest problem I've always had is the darn leaf rollers.
A commercial grower told me the larva will hang in the soil and come back every year unless you treat them or just remove them from your garden for a year. When I see the little white moths/butterflies flying around them it's often too late to spray with BT or a systemic to avoid leaf damage. They are already in the plant....munching on the undeveloped leaves. I prefer the systemic - don't have to constantly spray like you do with BT.
NOT fond of Cannas- and I consider them invasives, you can dig these things all year and I doubt they'll notice it. Some of the dwarf var aren't quite as awful at taking over, but it seems like they are space hogs once established.
I have cannas in the back and some I like, some I don't. However I love the butterflies and it is a host plant for the Brazillian Skipper that is in our area. I don't like the leaf rollers either, but the skippers fold over the leaves and don't roll them.
The brazilian skippers do not appear to be the same leaf roller problem I have. I wouldn't mind the skippers at all, if that's all the nibble on and roll into the cocoon. Nice video of a skipper "rolling" itself in the leaf.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIChq2pvCJA
The "leaf roller" problem I have is a smaller green larva, no brown head like the skipper larva. The newly hatched larva burrows into the center stalk of emerging new growth. They spin their silk in spots around the entire leaf as it grows, preventing it from fully opening. It then grows into a nice looking mature conical leaf tube that appears to be OK. This provides the larva with a protective cover while feeding on the tender growth inside, and the forming a chrysalis internally. There can be from 1-8 larva.
You have to manually rub the silk off in several places to allow the leaf to open, only to find a very dessicated leaf in bad shape, and often times the suspect larva or their small empty chrysallis. Quite unattractive and requires removing the whole leaf. Left unchecked, all the new growth can be damaged enough to the point where the top of the stalk will stop growing and die.
The worse part is if they get into the developing flower buds, munching down that actually kills the bud itself. If I had pictures you would agree that these are not wanted. Routinely, when I see these small white moths that resemble a butterfly flying around the cannas, is when I know I have a problem.
Good video Chuck! That is the friendly Brazilian skipper caterpillar alright. Here is the adult Brazilian Skipper and eggs just laid on a fully developed canna leaf. http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/2353/ TexasPuddyPrint and Debnes_dfw_tx also have some good pics on the database.
The leaf rollers are very messy and cause damage to the tender newer parts as you said. I hate them, and will sacrifice a plant or two each year to cut down on them in my yard.
Dug up my plot - amazing how fast they do grow and spread. Started with one two, maybe three years ago that someone said were "black leaf", turns out they were maroon with orange flowers, nothing that special, but now I have pile of roots 2 x 3 (40-50 huge bulbs) to replant and give away.
I just spray a systemic couple times during the summer to prevent them from creeping in and wiping out the plants..
Chuck....I have what sounds like the same plant, but haven't a clue to the actual name. Does this one look like yours?
Sheile,
Looks similar to me. The mature leaves are darker, younger leaves green to maroon with the orange blossoms. Fairly common variety I believe. Had similar ones before, but original corm provider said black leaves. Oh well, fool me once, etc..............
I don't like these much because they are so tall and in my yard there is a lot of shade trees and they lean out toward the sun. They don't have a very showy bloom, but I keep them because of the leaf color. When they start leaning I clip them back. Another that has no leaf pattern but a georgeous flower is the Florence Vaughn, those always put on a big bloom. When my hubby gets out and walks around the yard to help he will dead head the cannas and they will bloom longer......I have other things to do....LOL!
Oh my! These bugs sound awful. So far, I've had nothing messing with my cannas. I love them, except for the spreading. I'm hoping I can dig them today, even though they're already breaking ground. I especially like the foliage--so big and healthy looking. and then when the blooms start, it's just gorgeous in that area. But then, I'm so easy to please. Healthy green......color.........what could be better?
OK, I'm digging up and thinning my cannas now (with the help of my grandsons ;')). I have several people who want them, and I want to save some for the swap, so how do I store them, or will they even stay good til April 28th? Do I leave some dirt on them? I have coastal hay to layer them in if that would be good. What say you?
Duh!!! I just went back and read what you guys wrote the FIRST time I asked this question.
Sorry. s (I think)
LOL Syb :) ((((hugs))))
Syb just throw those Canna roots in a paper bag. They will last for months.