Not had a canna before

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Notwellygood, Mar 29, 2025.

  1. Notwellygood

    Notwellygood Apprentice Gardener

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    I was given a couple of canna lily 'bulbs' and told they could be planted straight away as it is only the shoots that are tender. I gave them a pile of dead leaves each as a mulch against the night frosts, although that was not in my instructions! I didn't have enough leaves handy so I topped up with wood chippings. Will that be alright?
    Am I supposed to keep them watered? That sounds like a daft question I know, but we don't water ordinary bulbs at planting time after all. These look like they are actually rhizomes/tubers. It has been fairly dry for quite a while and I'm not sure how damp they need to be.
    Finally, looking at the strong winds outside, (again) are they going to want staking?
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    A lot depends on where you are. Here in Surrey it's far too early for my cannas outside. A frost will kill the tuber unless it is planted deep enough although some varieties are more hardy.

    The problem with cannas is getting them to break dormancy, being outside means they will be very slow. You might not even get flowers till September. I start mine in the greenhouse and plant outside when they are around 12 inches high and when all chance of frost has gone.

    Some varieties can gett tall and need support. What variety have you got, some are grown just for the leaf colour rather than flowers.

    I would hold off watering or better still bring them indoors for the time being.
     
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    • Notwellygood

      Notwellygood Apprentice Gardener

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      One is Tropicana and the other is Lucifer. The latter is in a nice sheltered spot. They came from a garden in suburban Cheshire but I don't mind if they are slow. (I have added location to my profile now - I thought I had already done that!)
       
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      I've reverted to only growing cannas in containers, much easier to move under cover for winter, they do survive most winters here in Kent but are slow to get going the following spring, so I overwinter undercover and divide each spring.

      The aim is to get something with a decent bit of growth already when putting outside in May.
       
    • Notwellygood

      Notwellygood Apprentice Gardener

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      Thank you both for your comments. It is a bit worrying that you both think they will need to be inside for winter, because my greenhouse is unheated and in a frost hollow. They will probably have to take their chances outside. Fingers crossed!:dunno:
       
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