Anyone elses Zantedeschia opened

I've given cannas a miss this year, in favour of hardy gingers but I will do some seeds again next year. I think M-L its the clay in the soil where they are planted thats the problem rather than what I said about being too dry, just think they can't stretch their legs when the clay dries and caps them in.

This is cleopatre from last year my possible fav'

 

Liz, Cannas can take a couple of seasons to "settle in" and you may just get leaves the first year ....... providing they get some ground cover protection ...eg... straw in deep frost threatened areas they should survive and multiply....

BM Superb specimens there !!! Re the Arums, the clay might well be the problem ...too 'claggy' even though they survive poor soil, clay might be the step too far !!

[ 20. June 2006, 11:06 AM: Message edited by: Mona Lisa ]

 

ML I didn't realise it grew that tall!!! - well over here it probably wouldnt!! I have been so tempted to get another rhizome and try again - I think you have now persuaded me!!

I also have 3 cannas in the greenhouse waiting to go out. I have never grown them before, and hope they live up to expectations!!!

 

oh, dear - arums don't like clay..... looks like they will have to go into big pots, then!!!!

 

I have done them in pots HB, they do well. :D

 

Cannas can flower in their first year from seed and tuber, I have done both for many years. Canna seed brought back from Tenerife last july and sown (after filing and soaking) immediately has already flowered and seeded. A tuber bought from Jungle seeds/plants and potted in march has produced a spike already. Given enough warmth early on they they should flower the same year

 

Some Canna tubers I've put straight into the garden have flowered first year... (never tried seeds) .... others have taken 2 seasons to flower in any major way..so perhaps it depends on the condition of the tuber .......however if they are started off in a greenhouse or similar, they should get a good boost ...although I've no need for a greenhouse here..I have used a winter fleece covering if there is a threat of a freak January frost.

HB Do have another go with the Green Goddess ...and I'm sure you'll be delighted with the Cannas ..there is a garden not far from me that has a central circular flowerbed about 4 meters in circumference just with Cannas that stand about 2 meters high ..multicoloured,it's a spectacular sight...
M-L

 

ML - yes, I think I'll treat myself to another one, but it may be a little late to start off another rhizome, so I may wait until next spring....
... and I bet the cannas are spectacular!!!...

 

I got some cannas and hedichiums, but not sure if they are hardy. I just got another couple of roots (gingers)off ebay this morning and they are huge!

 

Cannas are often left in the ground here during winter but some are more hardy than others and this winter saw some of them off. Lift them in the autumn when all foliage is brown and overwinter frost free to be on the safe side.

 

oh I got some littel hardy wild gingers too - ground cover stuff.

 

I don't have it here now (gave the plant away last year - not enough room), but this form - Zantedeschia 'Pink Mist' is generally a good 'doer'. It is not quite so free flowering as Z. aethiopica and tends to be strongly deciduous, whereas the species is usually evergreen here. This suggests to me that there may be more than a helping of Z. rehmannii in its background. Nevertheless, it's a nice plant, a strong grower and the pink-flushed, creamy white flowers are very handsome ... especially as they age and develop richer hues.

Zantedeschia 'Pink Mist'