CANNA 2019

Thank you @JWK ..im now hoping for a good summer ...off to karchesky for more seeds

 

Cheers Jon

 

Hiya JWK,, went for Saladin and a couple of shorties in happy Carmen and Tropical White.

I have a few tall varieties here......some like Pretoria are large clumps 7' or more across....and, because of the long growing season here, make imposing specimens for a very long time. Not just the exotic flowers but the foliage is wonderful too esp on Pretoria, Durban, Tropicanna Black, Tropicanna Gold all of which soar to 9' tall. They make a fantastic contrast in the garden and associate beautifully with tall grasses.

To those who havent grown them try them. Their foliage does not get as wind torn as the bananas either so a very suitable (and, for me, a better alternative). Not for very dry spots though

 

Thanks for posting that (Harts) link on the other thread John. Just one problem, too many to choose from! I’ve grown them in the past, but they mostly had the virus. I’m reassured when you say they are virus free. I’ll probably order three, when I’ve chosen. Saying that, what kind of spacing would you suggest for a ‘medium’ plant?

 

I will try Cleopatra again as my previous ones both succumbed to canna virus.
I will have to wait until June to order any from Hart, if they haven't sold out by then.

 

I have 52 Cannas in pots that were started from seeds early last year. They were kept in a polytunnel until the tops died down, then brought home and put in a greenhouse to finish drying out before being put away for re-starting later this year.

But when I took them out the greenhouse yesterday (because a -5 deg C was forecast), I noticed several had started sprouting new leaves. As I'll be putting on my growlights within a week or so, should I start these ones now, or ignore those green shoots and tuck them somewhere frost free with the others?



P.S. I only sowed them because they were getting old and I thought they might not be viable if left any longer, but having no plans for them, they were kept in small pots just to produce rhizomes for (re)planting this year.