Canna - what next?

I am new to growing Canna and this is my second year. Having overwintered in a frost free garage, I have shoots growing. The root ball is solid not allowing for much new compost so do I cut the rootball in half ?
Any information you can give would be much appreciated

 

Hi @Eddie105

A few options available I would say, you could do as you say and cut the rootball in half or more if it's a large rootball or you could choose to replant it in a larger pot which would probably give you a better display.

 

I usually break down the old rootball and remove a lot of the old roots and old tubers, the centre part dies out and new shoots come from the outside of the clump.

But I wait for new shoots to appear, that way you can see the young shoots that are raring to go and the dead old stuff in the middle.

 

Thank you both for your advice.
I realised that a larger pot was an option but it is already in a large, heavy pot, and a larger pot would mean that I could not lift it to put in a frost free environment over the winter.

I have a number of new shoots around the edge of the pot (as you described Pete), so if I tease the roots out of the centre of the clump I should be ok to replant in the existing pot. I’ll give that a try. Thank you Pete.

 

I use a big knife and cut through the rhizomes, they make new roots for the next season but leave some of the old rhizome on the back.

Put about three or four new sections back in the pot with fresh compost mixed with some slow release fertiliser granules.

 

I’ll do that tomorrow- thank you

 

Ideally you should keep your Canna frost free. But saying that they can survive the winter if you mulch well and keep near to a house wall, I have only lost one out of four and now divided the remaining three up and now have nine.

 

I'm tempted to put mine outside in the next week or so. Maybe I'm being too optimistic?

When does everyone else put theirs outside?

 

Hi

where are they at the moment ? Mine still in the greenhouse

 

I've got some outside in pots in a sheltered position but they are only just beginning to grow.
I cut all old stems off overwinter.

 

Currently in a blow away greenhouse but am concerned its too humid in there for them. We haven't had a frost here in about a month I'd say now.

 

I’ve repotted mine and then left them in a sheltered spot. I’m prepared to put them inside if a frost is forecast.

 

Take out during the day and put back to bed …we could have a late frost

 

Cannas like humidity, just not cold and damp, which is often confusing.