How do I take care of the cannas at my new house?
Question:We bought a house in Houston with some beautiful cannas (pretty flowers on corn-like stalks). Once the flowers are done, am I supposed to cut them to the ground? The stalks are kinda dying. In Houston, we might be able to get another bloom this fall. Maybe? And how should I seperate them if I want another patch? (I heard it's easy.) Break apart the bulb/roots in winter?
Answers:
They require quite a bit of water, so I assume if the plant looks like its dying at this time of the year, you aren't watering enough. If you keep taking off the flower heads, you will get new flowers for the season of the plant. Separating is extremely easy. But you will have to cut, not break them apart. They have fiberous tubers, and as long as you include some the thick root tuber and some of the smaller feeder roots, you will get a new plant.
keep any dieing leaves trimmed off, as they are ugly. cut the dead blooms off, but don't cut the stalk down. once you have neatened them up you will see how beautiful just the foliage can be...plus you should get another bloom period.
divide them in the fall or winter. in your area, i would wait until january. dig them up, use a sharp knife to slice through the roots/bulb and plant to the same depth they were growing.
if you will lightly fertilize your cannas it will help with the next flush of blooms.
hope this helps...and know that it is almost impossible to kill cannas! :)
Super easy to grow. They like full sun and being fertilized bi-weekly. Will grow in pots but prefer being in the ground.
Let the folliage die back on its own, then cut them to the ground. They'll be back.
Cuttings/division very easy. Using a shovel go below the rhizome and pry up. You'll see the mature root and sprouts and will know where to cut to separate them. Don't be afraid, they transplant well. Give newly transplanted cannas a little extra attention (water and fertilizer) for a week or so. You'll do fine.
have fun!
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