Question about Cannas

I have a question I hope some of you might have an anwer for. I have a 3 Cannas that originated from a single plant that my daughter gave me in May of 2003. The first year I planted it in the ground and it did wonderfully, grew to be 5 ft tall or so, but no blooms. I cut it down in the late fall and dug up the rhizomes and stored in the basement for the winter. This year, I divided the rhizomes and had enough for 3 plants. I planted 1 in the ground again and two in large pots. Again they did extremely well, growing tall and healthy with enormous green leaves. Still no blooms. Now I was reading on another forum, a group of Americans discussing their Cannas. There I learned that they won't bloom until after they have matured and have been planted for a year or two. So how do I get my Cannas to bloom if I have to keep digging them up every fall after only about 5 months? Have any of you had luck leaving them in the ground over winter? They gardeners I was lsitening to were in Zones of 7 and up. I am in a Zone 5b. I think leaving them in the pots in the winter might have them quite root bound by spring. What does everyone else do with their Cannas...please?

don't think any of them are hardy to zone 5. most all of the sources I have checked say let them get hit by frost, then dig and store the rhizome. This is my first year for cannas and two have bloomed beautifully - if somewhat late. The one in my pot pond has not bloomed; but it hasn't grown really large either. I am going to keep that one in the house as a foliage plant this winter and see what happens next year. Did yours get enough sun? I think they are pretty much a full sun plant.

Lynn, they have always been in a South West Exposure and I know that is why they have grown so tall and healthy, but why no blooms. I don't know what species they are, but they are green with red veins in their enormous leaves. Yes, they are really pretty and tropical looking, but no flowers....

In Trail, which is 15 minutes south of here, I noticed a gorgeous display of Cannas in flower, but they are the dark leaf variety. Could that be the difference?

I have a couple of each and they have all flowered so I don't think it would be leaf color. Maybe they are like some iris plants that decide not to flower until you give up on them and think about commiting planticide or move them somewhere where you don't have to see them and be reminded and then all of a sudden they knock you out with their blooms.

Thanks for your input Lynn. I guess I'll just keep trying. Their foliage is really pretty anyway without the flowers. I was going to bring them in in their pots for the winter, but I don't really want them to grown any taller than they are now anyway, so I'll lift the rhizomes and store again, I think. Sigh... sure do wish I lived in one of those HIGH zones and could leave them planted all year round.

Don't we all!!!!!!!!!! See right now Donna you can stick your tongue out at dem spoiled zone 8 and 9 BC'ers!! Come winter tho' watch out for those frozen metal poles! We can always throw snowballs their way too!

LOL, you are a goof Pam! Besides, we like the 4 distinct seasons, don't we? Ok, I'm lying...as she cries on her keyboard...

lololololololol!! ;)

Hi Dona there could be several reasons why your canna is not producing flowers related to when the rhizome was planted, lighting, watering, type of soil, etc. But it sounds like you are doing a lot of good things for the canna otherwise it wouldn't grow to 5 feet tall. I would guess that canna is more of a foliage type canna that is reluctant about producing flowers. How did it grow for your daughter? Did it flower for her?


Grant

Hi Grant,

Thanks for your reply. Funny you should mention "foliage type of canna", 'cause that is just what my daughter said that the nursery where she got our plants, told her. I couldn't believe that, so I persevered. My daughter grows hers in pots and keeps them indoors, and, no, they have never flowered for her either. So there are cannas that don't produce flowers, is what you are saying. Well, I appreciate your input and obvious knowledge. They are a lovely plant, though. I have mine on my deck and on my patio this year in pots, and they add a bit of a tropical feel. Maybe I will continue to grow them and just buy another one that will flower. Thanks again Grant.

Your very welcome Donna. I am glad I could help you solve the mystery of the unflowering canna. It is enough to give a gardener an inferiority complex, especially if you have a neighbor close by with a nice big stand of cannas that is flowering like crazy.

All cannas will flower given the right conditions but there are several cannas that are either very reluctant to flower or have very insignifigant flowers. An example of this is canna musafolia - also known as the banana canna. It is quite popular due to its large banana like leaves and large size but it very seldom flowers for me and when it does the flowers are very small and insignificant. It is also very common for some nurseries to sell very cheap no-name cannas that are designed to be enjoyed mainly for the foliage. There was a nursery close to my house that I occassionally go to that was selling a basic green leaved canna and also a reddish leaved canna. I picked up a few of both and the green had very small red flowers and the red foliage canna didn't flower at all.

If you do want flowering cannas there are several types that are commonly sold at nurseries that offer large flowers in either red, pink, salmon, orange, yellow, and a few that are bi-colored. It would be best to familiarize yourself a little with the cannas your nursery is selling and compare the names against the descriptions from a website so you will know what to expect from the canna in order and avoid disappointment. Their are a few good websites that offer pictures and descriptions that you could use as a reference such as Karchesky's Canna (the largest canna collection in North America), Old House Gardens, Guildwood Cannas and others.

Cheers,

Grant

I will definitely take your advice Grant, thanks again for your tips, especially the names of the websites you listed. I had difficulty finding pictures on the web before. BTW, welcome to the Canada section of DG. You will be an invaluable resource, I know. Hopefully you'll learn a little from the rest of us Canucks too. If not, we do have fun!

Hmm, nice Cannas Grant. You'll be hearing from me for a couple of those gorgeous Black Knight babies come this spring!

Here is his website.
www.guildwoodcannas.com

Thank you Liz! Another wonderful place for us to look at in the dead of winter and plot, drool and plan.

ditto on the thanks Liz - he has some beauties.

Thanks all for the kind comments and Liz for the link. Actually Lilypon there is more to come for 2005 so get a tissue ready - think pink, peach, and appricot! Donna that is exactly why I come to the forums to share the joy and to learn. Not to mention that most of my friends eyes glaze over when I start to talk gardening.

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LOL.....we are looking forward to seeing your new releases!