CANNA 2018

I normally have Dahlias out the front, but thought Cannas might make a nice change. It looks like the seed I’ve sown are starting to germinate, so will be virus free. They could though be anything. A bit tempted to buy a few stock plants, but they don’t come cheap, £10-£12 from the aforementioned ‘Hart Cannas’. I bought some plants a few years back from a local nursery, turned out they were infected. Funnily enough, best I ever had were from Wilkos

 

You’re a very naughty boy

 

Canna virus is rampant right now...
I will not buy cannas from anyone who doesnt guarantee virus free stock and I think only Harts Cannas do this.
So far, as of last year anyway, my cannas are healthy.
Not easy to tell on some varieties if they are affected or not and hostas are in exactly the same danger with hostaX.
Nothing quite like cannas though is there? Tropical looking,,superb foliage and flowers on 6' to 9' stems

 

Safe to assume that the virus will only spread from infected plants in close proximity?

 

No Freddie.....its spread by aphids
When growth begins in spring check foliage of all your cannas....ditto those you buy. Harts Cannas publish pictures and descriptions.

 

Just checked out Wiki. There is apparently more than one virus that can affect Cannas.
“Some are spread by aphids and other sap sucking insects.”
This to me implies that there are other forms of transmission?

 

I always got the impression canna virus was spread by the sap from one plant to another, so yes aphids but also secateurs knives etc.
I've never heard of it being airborne as such, I think if it was it would be pretty difficult to say that any stock was virus free other than seed grown, and then, for how long???

 

Wiki? Go to Harts Canna site Freddie.
Canna virus, like hosta X virus, is fatal.

 

We can only start with clean stock Pete......yes, all our plants are susceptible.
A pest has recently arrived that attacks the berberis family!! We meed to be on our guard but enjoy our plants for as long as we have them

 

“There are believed to be 5 viruses which infect cannas. But, according to experiments by the CSL laboratory in York, UK, there is only only one virus which which is causing the present epidemic.”
Seems a safe bet

 

Indeed Freddie.....one virus we are worried about.

 

I potted up The President on the 25 February. I have two more which need to be potted up, "Picasso", but I was waiting until Wednesday to follow your advice ...

...

 

Yes Wednesday the 14th is world Canna pot up day. I like living on the edge so started potting up on the 9th

 

How considerate of the Canna Club to select my day off as Pot Up Day

Reminds me of a song: ...

I've got it!

"Canna, canna, canna, canna, canna pot-up-daaaaay; you come and gooooo, you come and go-oh-uh-oh!"