Canna Care (Country Gardens Early Spring 2005)

These instructions are for potted canna success:

Select a large pot-cannas require a deep, 18-24 inch wide pot with a drainage hole at the bottom. Plant the rhizomes 8" apart at minimum.

Plant canna rhizomes 2-3 inches below the soil line and allow 1-2" from the soil surface to the pot rim for watering.

Plant cannas in the early spring after last frost (bring pots inside at night until nighttime temperatures outdoors are above 50 degrees).

Water the container after planting the rhizome. Keep the soil moist, not soggy.

Feed cannas tow or three times a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer. (Or mix a slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time.)

After the first fall frost, cut off blackened stalks and dig up rhizomes. Allow the rhizomes to dry out in a garage or basement for a week or tow, then store them in open boxes of dry peat moss, perlite or vermiculite. Replant in spring, discarding any soft or mushy rhizomes.