These flowers are wonderful! Whether red, yellow, orange or white, the flowers of Canna make this tropical plant a popular ornamental plant in this country. But what needs to be done to keep it he althy and happy?
How do I properly care for my canna plant?
Canna plants require regular fertilization, sufficient water and pruning in autumn. Overwinter the tubers at 6-10°C in a cool, dark room. Watch out for pests such as slugs, aphids, voles and spider mites.
How should cannas be fertilized?
Since cannas are heavy feeders, they need to be supplied with fertilizer regularly. You can add some fertilizer when planting. The second fertilization takes place at the end of June and the last fertilization of the year around mid-September.
Suitable fertilizers include complete fertilizer (€59.00 on Amazon), conventional flower fertilizer, rotted compost, horse manure and horn shavings. If Canna is to be overwintered, it is advisable to add potash to the soil before overwintering in autumn.
Can cannas cope with drought?
Cannas originally come from the tropics. Due to their origins, they cannot cope with dry seasons. They therefore need to be watered regularly. It is best to keep the soil moist. Cannas can cope with waterlogging for a short time.
Is pruning necessary?
If you want to overwinter Canna, you should cut the plant back to just above the ground at the end of October. The tuber can then be better dug up and overwintered. Be sure to only trim the plant when its leaves have yellowed. When green, they still produce nutrients that the tubers urgently need in the coming year.
What diseases and pests affect cannas?
The only disease specific to Canna is Canna Yellow Mottle Virus. It is favored by cool and damp weather. If your canna plant is infected with this virus, you should discard it. The seeds of the plant are usually not affected. The following pests in particular can affect Canna:
- Nudibranchs
- Aphids
- Voles
- Spider mites
How can cannas be brought over the winter?
The flower tube is not frost hardy. If you want to overwinter it, you should dig up its tubers/rhizomes in late fall. The tubers can be overwintered in dark and cool rooms. Temperatures should be between 6 and 10 °C.
It is best to put the tubers in a pot with soil so that they do not dry out. The soil should be watered lightly from time to time. However, excessive moisture should be avoided.
Tips & Tricks
For long-lasting flowering: Regularly pluck off the withered petals or cut off the withered flowers. New flowers then appear on the vine and the flowering lasts until autumn.