Canna 2012

My Cannas seem to have grown a lot taller than last year although they started off late. The C. Inferno and C. King Humbert are topping 9 ft now if you count the flower spikes, while C. Musafolia Grande has gone from 7ft to above 8ft in height. I do a weekly feed of Miracle Grow and then an alternate feed of Tomato Feed but nothing over the top. Does anyone have a favourite feed for their Cannas???

 

How often do you water them, Mowgley?? That's interesting to hear, Bilbo, that you don't think you can over feed them. I found my Cannas were very slow off the mark to grow this year, even though I know I am impatient I know one thing, I will keep the rhizomes drier when over wintering this time around as I found I had lost 4 rhizomes last Spring due, I think, to being in pots and slightly damp. All the cannas will stay in pots in either the Cool Room or the Kitchen along with the Musa's.

 

Those in my photo are all in the ground mowgley.

I'm a bit hit and miss with feeding, when they were in pots I was using tomato food. Before planting I dug in a handful of dried chicken manure pellets and thats all they get. Maybe I should feed them a bit more but I don't have the time to go around everything once planted.

 

That's probably around the same of watering as I do, Mowgley, depending on the weather. Sounds like you're going to have a fair collection by the end of the year. I started off with around 5 Cannas about 3 years ago, that rose up to 18 by the start of this year, actually 14 as I've lost 4, and have now got 11 Musas.....we must be mad!! I've not tried using Chicken Manure pellets although I do use them to spread on the borders in early Spring.

 

I've been getting my Canna rhizomes from Harts, Kristen, , and they have been top class so far so I'll probably get some more from them next time.

I admit to getting old, Kristen, it's a fate destined for all of us I'm afraid , but to be honest I lead a busy semi retired life which is going to get busier as I start the second half of my contract with the Juduciary and CPS in Birmingham next week. And cement is the last thing allowed in my garden!!!

It's my first try with the Canna Musafolia and it has done exceptionally well considering the slow start it had. It has also stood up to the wind and suffered very little wind damage which is pleasing. I'm just wondering what it's final height will be and if it will deign to flower. I might try the method of mixing the Chicken Manure Pellets with the compost in the pots next year as well as the weekly feeding.

 

Just up dated that post, Kristen!!

 

Yes they are disappointing. I sowed them way too early (probably 2 months too early) and nearly lost them in about March, they never really recovered.

Good idea!