For all its exotic beauty, Cana is highly resistant to heat and drought, but requires some trouble when growing: germination of rhizomes, well-prepared planting, regular watering in dry summers and feeding. Having discovered all the secrets of growing Canna and mastered the simple techniques of its agricultural technology, you will certainly get the fireworks of the southern beauty flowering in your garden.
Secret 1
Work with Canna begins with the division of rhizomes in late March. After inspection, they are placed in a warm greenhouse or boxes for germination. When the sprouts reach 8-10 cm, they are separated with part of the rhizome and planted one by one in 9-10 cm pots or several in 15-16 cm.
The pots are filled with sheet soil or earth mixture consisting of greenhouse earth and well-rotted manure (1:2). Pots put in a warm place (+16…+18°C) and keep them until planting in the open ground. For two weeks before planting, it is necessary to temper the plants.
Secret 2
Before planting Canna in the ground is prepared, the seats are: hole depth of 60 cm and a diameter of 30 cm make rotted manure with a layer of 30 cm; the remainder of the hole filled with a mixture of earth and dung, and the top sprinkled with fine sand and put the rhizome, which prevents it from rotting. On top of the rhizome to sleep rotted manure, so that it was buried no more than 5-6 cm Distance between plants-depending on the variety from 30 to 90 cm.
Secret 3
During the growing season at least three times fed Canna full mineral fertilizer. During the summer, a weekly watering of plants is carried out, followed by loosening. In the absence of rain Canna watered 2-3 times a week. To ensure better aging of rhizomes, from the end of summer watering gradually reduced and stop by the time of digging.
Secret 4
After 1.5-2.5 months after planting, the first inflorescences develop. They can be cut, which contributes to the development of the root system and a good increase of rhizomes. To preserve the decorative plants in a timely manner and remove the dried flowers, not giving a tie to the fruit.
Secret 5
Canna bloom profusely until the first cold. They can be damaged by Aphid, Noctuidae, Tetranychus urticae. The most dangerous diseases of Canna are viral and Mycoplasma, manifested in the form of streak and ring spot. The struggle measures are the same as for other flower crops and the high level of agricultural technology.
Secret 6
After the first cold rhizomes dug with a lump of earth, only shaking off the excess of it. In this state they winter better. Stems at a height of 12-15 cm reduce. Rhizomes slightly dried and covered with dry sand or dry sawdust layer of 15-20 cm, stored at a temperature of +4…+5°C.
Secret 7
The bright beauty of the inflorescence, large leaves, large growth allowed Kanna to solo in the garden most often, without needing to be surrounded by other plants, but her beauty is even more clearly manifested in the group planting of plants of one variety.
Such groups look good in the focused spots on the lawn, on the background of the house, at the entrance, on the corners of paths, etc. Certain exotic element brings Cannes, planted on the waterfront or around shrubs. Cannes can be successfully planted along fences, walls, as well as deep clay pots or wooden boxes on balconies and verandas.
For a large lawn is better to choose tall varieties Cannes with red flowers and purple leaves (‘Red Futurity’ height of more than 1 m, ‘America’ height of 1.1 m); red flowers and green leaves (‘President’ height of 1.2 m, ‘FireBird’ height of more than 1 m); with solid yellow flowers and blue-green leaves (‘King Midas’ height of 1.5 m, ‘Crowns’ height of 1.6 m).
Planted in groups, lined with silver Cineraria maritima, they will not get lost on the background of greenery and create a garden atmosphere of the Mediterranean. Very impressive look Cannes in the evening near the lamps. Illuminated from below, the flowers of Canna seem exotic butterflies fluttering over large leaves.
Canna is also magnificent in the center of the parterre flower bed. By planting Canna with contrasting flowers, located at different levels, such as tall dark red and low pale pink, you can achieve its spectacular accent.
For a small lawn you can pick up low-growing varieties Cannes, for example, ‘Lucifer’ height of 60 cm, the ‘City of Portland’ with a height of 50 cm, ‘Carpet’ with a height of 65 cm and incite them multi-colored Coleus.
Planted in vases, miniature Canna for example, varieties ‘Hungaria’, ‘Pfitzer’s Chinese Coral’ height of 70-90 cm, will give an unusual southern flavor as the main entrance to the house and recreation area.
Varieties Cannes in the color of flowers which there is an exotic combination of red and yellow strokes, reminiscent of an unquenchable flame: ‘Lucifer’, ‘Gold Lucifer’, ‘Picasso’ advantageous look at the background of dark Pine Thuja, Juniper, Taxus or walls of dry masonry of large rough stones. This flower illuminates the semi-darkness created by dense plantings, and animates the cold beauty of the stone.
Secret 8
Recently, Canna Generalis began to be used in water flower beds. It grows well if all year round immersed in water to a depth of 10-20 cm in late spring – early summer it is installed in pots under water in outdoor pools.
Autumn with decreasing temperature the pots stand in the winter gardens, which is placed in a container with water. If enough natural lighting or artificial lighting Canna continue to bloom and form new shoots.
If you keep the plants in the winter gardens is not available, you can wash and dried rhizomes stored in the sand or peat. Most adapted for growth in water of the variety ‘Lucifer’, ‘Brilliant’ and hybrids of the group ‘Longwood’, the ancestor of which was Canna glauca; can be successfully cultivated in the waters of the varieties of Canna indica. The original compositions of “Nymphaion” and Canna will surely delight all fans of unusual plants.
Secret 9
By planting Canna at your site, you will receive a free weather forecast. Canna-tropical plant, which is characterized by guttation, ie the ability to get rid of excess moisture, highlighting it in the form of drops on the leaves. Therefore, if in the morning on the leaves of Canna you will see large drops: so the humidity is high, and day or night rain is possible.