Hi everyone...obviously, I'm new to this forum and relatively new to growing cannas.
I'm in zone4b where I have to lift my tubers every year. This year, it's been cold and wet and they aren't very far along. I don't really know very much about cannas other than I really love their foliage.
My question is, do the plants have to flower before they are lifted at the end of the season? And what can I do to help them along? What kind of fertilizer should I be using?
And one more question, is it possible to start my cannas indoors or in containers for next season? If so, can they be transplanted to beds or borders? (:-) Just in case we're headed into autumn here in Wisconsin already. :-D )
TIA
~julie~
Canna care for the Cold zones
Don't think they have to bloom before storing for winter, lots of mine hadn't and stored ok. I did bring the "special" ones out in Jan/Feb and started them in pots of soil inside, with sun/windows. Then put them out in spring, they bloomed just fine. I have more than I originally planned to store/dig/plant. Have approx. 25 different ones, planted and growing now.
Hibiscus...thank you so much for your reply. I've done a search here in DG for cannas and hadn't noticed anyone talking about whether or not it was possible (or feasible) to start them indoors. I'm glad you told me that you were successful with transplanting yours into the garden because that's what I'll be needing to do with most of mine.
This is the first year that I've attempted to buy and grow 'named' varieties of Canna...and wouldn't you know it, the weather has "eaten" quite a few of them. That's what has prompted my questions to begin with.
Now, how about fertilizer? Does anyone have any advice there?
~julie~
any type of bulb fert. will do on them I like the greenhouse products. I don't have the problem as to having to dig them up but I guess you can start them early, you start the seeds of them early in order to see them bloom for the first year. it is like vegie crops, you can start early and run late if you have the right stuff to do it... I think I have made no sence..... I notice that the ones in a boggie spot grow faster than the ones in a dry spot... hope this helps...
ely.