Digging up cannas (and want more!)

TrailGaiter · 10-25-2011, 08:14 PM

So, this was my first year with cannas, and I'm totally hooked! I'm prepared to dig them up now.... do I just hack 'em off at ground level and just dig 'em up? Let the tubers dry out, clean off as much dirt as possible, and what, store them in a box, bag, or in peat moss? I've heard some store in peat moss, some store in boxes or tubs, what's best? Do you sprinkle them with water at ALL through the winter?

So I am betting other people are doing the same...and I'm going to be looking for some tubers. Perhaps now would be the time to ask around? I'm looking for striped varieties....tropicanna, bengal tiger, etc. Anything unusual, really. I only have two kinds myself...a generic green leaf with orange flowers, and Australia (which I love!). If anyone is digging up their tubers and has too many striped ones, I would be extremely pleased to take them off your hands, provided you've seen no signs of virus.

Thanks for any info!
Angie

RayS · 10-26-2011, 01:01 PM

Here are a couple of methods: How to Store Canna Bulbs in Winter | Garden Guides

Karchesky and Harris Canna Collection Scroll down to growing tips.

Someone else uses 1 gal ziplocs with damp but not wet peat moss, he punches holes near the top of the bags for ventilation. Temps are very important, kind of like Goldilocks, "not too hot, no to cold". Temps cool 45-50. HTH

T-Black · 10-26-2011, 01:03 PM

I used to have Cannas at my old house, i didnt do anything to germinate more, i chopped them down every year, and next year it was as if the doubled, i eventually had to get rid of all of them, because they were starting to take over my whole yard!

TrailGaiter · 10-26-2011, 02:08 PM

Thanks! Living in zone 5, I have to dig them up...they wouldn't survive in the ground through the winter. But the enjoyment I got this year will make it worth it!

Michael_Andrew · 10-28-2011, 03:30 PM

I dig mine up with stems intact. It helps with pulling them out of the ground and shaking off the dirt. I usually spray them off with the water hose then cut off the stems and let them dry a couple of days. Put them in banana boxes and off to the basement. Forget about them till spring planting.

nannerfunboi · 10-28-2011, 09:28 PM

michael..great garden .. ya..i started with i think 5 or so clumps of
musafolia cannas yrs ago..they got HUGE this yr..most flowered too
got them dug last week.. and hauling them in this weekend..
i cut the stalks down..leaving maybe 4", wash well,let dry,then keep
in cool part of basement, around 50F.. they overwinter great..
i have 3 big wheel barrows of them now..LOL

soundofthemusic1 · 10-29-2011, 12:46 PM

Hi,

I have a question for you all. When you dry your canna rhizomes, do you leave them in a sunny area or shady area?

My cannas are planted next to my iris and are taking over the garden. If I don't dig up my cannas and leave them in the ground, will they kill my iris.

Thanks!

Michael_Andrew · 11-01-2011, 02:41 PM

I usally spread mine out on the patio in the sun for a few days. I think that the cannas would overtake the irises but not sure they would survive the winter if you left them in the ground.

JuniPerez · 11-01-2011, 03:06 PM

I dig up some of my cannas (not all since they reproduce to be too many by fall) and wash off all the dirt, let them dry a couple of days, and put them in old laundry bags (labelled by cultivar) that I keep for that purpose. Another thing I like to do, since I have a few varieties, is collect the seeds. They cross pollinate, so I get interesting crosses from the seeds. If you collect the seeds, nick them with a file or knife and germinate indoors starting about early spring, so they'll be ready for planting in May/June.

soundofthemusic1 · 11-02-2011, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael_Andrew

I usally spread mine out on the patio in the sun for a few days. I think that the cannas would overtake the irises but not sure they would survive the winter if you left them in the ground.

Thanks a bunch, Andrew. Next time when I have a root rot problem, I'll know what to do. Your canna rhizomes look beautiful. I doubt mine will look so healthy.

Here in Georgia landscaping companies treat cannas as annuals and toss them out when the seasons change. But cannas do come back every year. They are not fussy about Georgia’s red clay soil and are good bloomers in our climate. Every year I give mine a fresh layer of pine straws right around this time of year. That’s all they need for winter protection, very easy plants to grow here.

soundofthemusic1 · 11-02-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuniPerez

I dig up some of my cannas (not all since they reproduce to be too many by fall) and wash off all the dirt, let them dry a couple of days, and put them in old laundry bags (labelled by cultivar) that I keep for that purpose. Another thing I like to do, since I have a few varieties, is collect the seeds. They cross pollinate, so I get interesting crosses from the seeds. If you collect the seeds, nick them with a file or knife and germinate indoors starting about early spring, so they'll be ready for planting in May/June.

Thank you, Juni. Using laundry bags is a great idea, very creative. Potato bags are what I normally use to store my tulip or hyacinth bulbs.

I only have very common cannas. Since deer eat their flowers and sometimes the leaves, I have never tried collecting seeds from my own. They multiply fast after they are well-established and are drought tolerant, a care-free plant. When I planted mine next to my iris, it was only a temporary solution as no other spots were available at the time. I just didn’t move them when I should have, and now they are a problem.

Thanks again for your suggestions!

TrailGaiter · 11-02-2011, 02:38 PM

Thanks for the ideas.... I've got mine out of the ground now, but I only had two clumps, since they were only newly planted this year. One started as a small plant I bought, (and spread quickly!) and another I grew from a rhizome in a bag. It also spread. They both came out well, but in one big clump. I've got both clumps sitting in my garage. Should I be trying to split them up into smaller pieces, or just leave them as is and replant that way next year? I did cut the cannas off at ground level before I dug them up....and what I have now are what looks like huge banana corms, with short stalks coming from the top. I had read before digging them up it's best to let them see some mild freezes....so they did, and the foliage was starting to die back.

I sure miss them....it's amazing what those cannas did for the spot where they were growing! But, I'm hoping they will be back next year! Better than this year!

orinoko · 11-02-2011, 04:49 PM

I dug mine up three weeks ago,

They are drying out nicely now. Mine looked to be a double stem when I bought it so I split it when I dug it up.

Now next year I will begin with two.

:woohoonaner :

You can leave them in the ground but with a very good mulch.

Michael_Andrew · 11-08-2011, 07:32 PM

Digging the cannas. They never got this tall before.

Now they are in leaf bags in the basement. I still have three more beds and not sure I'll get them all out this year. I'm gonna mulch one area but don't expect them to make it.

Here are some Tropical Bronze Scarlet grown from seed this year.

nannerfunboi · 11-08-2011, 07:52 PM

michael andrew.. great cannas!! im guessing those are
musafolia?
i get told all the time by other gardening friends my musafolias
cant get as tall as i say they do.. till i send them pics and blooming..
heeehehe...
all my cannas are safely in 5 boxes in cool basement now..
next spring..whew.. i am going to have a TON of cannas to plant..
i will be selling some clumps on ebay..i wont need all of them..
ive been thinking of putting in some bamboo..so i have to leave some room for that...
good luck to all on overwintering !!!!

Michael_Andrew · 11-08-2011, 08:15 PM

I had really contemplated bamboo but on a trip this year to Middle Bass Island they had these beautiful stands of I'm pretty sure Arundo donax. I planted some variegated last year and its been a little slow in spreading so I ordered some of the regular and planted it late this year. I ordered two plants that came in 3" pots so they are tiny. It can be invasive but should be controllable in a zone 5.

http://www.sthazards.com/Gallery/St....2004%20010.jpg

TrailGaiter · 11-08-2011, 09:26 PM

all I can say is WOW!!

10-25-2011, 08:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
TrailGaiter Angie Location: Madison, Wisconsin Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Angie Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 127 BananaBucks : 89,695 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 115 Times Was Thanked 117 Times in 64 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Digging up cannas (and want more!) So, this was my first year with cannas, and I'm totally hooked! I'm prepared to dig them up now.... do I just hack 'em off at ground level and just dig 'em up? Let the tubers dry out, clean off as much dirt as possible, and what, store them in a box, bag, or in peat moss? I've heard some store in peat moss, some store in boxes or tubs, what's best? Do you sprinkle them with water at ALL through the winter? So I am betting other people are doing the same...and I'm going to be looking for some tubers. Perhaps now would be the time to ask around? I'm looking for striped varieties....tropicanna, bengal tiger, etc. Anything unusual, really. I only have two kinds myself...a generic green leaf with orange flowers, and Australia (which I love!). If anyone is digging up their tubers and has too many striped ones, I would be extremely pleased to take them off your hands, provided you've seen no signs of virus. Thanks for any info! Angie

10-26-2011, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
RayS RayS's Photo Gallery Location: Mansfield, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Ray Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 92 BananaBucks : 7,891 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 162 Times Was Thanked 107 Times in 57 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 58 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) Here are a couple of methods: How to Store Canna Bulbs in Winter \| Garden Guides Karchesky and Harris Canna Collection Scroll down to growing tips. Someone else uses 1 gal ziplocs with damp but not wet peat moss, he punches holes near the top of the bags for ventilation. Temps are very important, kind of like Goldilocks, "not too hot, no to cold". Temps cool 45-50. HTH __________________ Ray

10-26-2011, 01:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
T-Black T-Black's Photo Gallery Location: Panama City, Fl Find me on the map! Zone: 8 Name: T-Black Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 61 BananaBucks : 18,062 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 30 Times Was Thanked 23 Times in 12 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) I used to have Cannas at my old house, i didnt do anything to germinate more, i chopped them down every year, and next year it was as if the doubled, i eventually had to get rid of all of them, because they were starting to take over my whole yard!

10-26-2011, 02:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
TrailGaiter Angie Location: Madison, Wisconsin Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Angie Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 127 BananaBucks : 89,695 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 115 Times Was Thanked 117 Times in 64 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) Thanks! Living in zone 5, I have to dig them up...they wouldn't survive in the ground through the winter. But the enjoyment I got this year will make it worth it!

10-28-2011, 03:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Michael_Andrew Michael_Andrew's Photo Gallery Location: Toledo, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Michael Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 517 BananaBucks : 67,755 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 248 Times Was Thanked 384 Times in 182 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 226 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) I dig mine up with stems intact. It helps with pulling them out of the ground and shaking off the dirt. I usually spray them off with the water hose then cut off the stems and let them dry a couple of days. Put them in banana boxes and off to the basement. Forget about them till spring planting.

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10-28-2011, 09:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
nannerfunboi nannerfunboi's Photo Gallery Location: provo utah Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 393 BananaBucks : 33,450 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 692 Times Was Thanked 481 Times in 251 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 23 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) michael..great garden .. ya..i started with i think 5 or so clumps of musafolia cannas yrs ago..they got HUGE this yr..most flowered too got them dug last week.. and hauling them in this weekend.. i cut the stalks down..leaving maybe 4", wash well,let dry,then keep in cool part of basement, around 50F.. they overwinter great.. i have 3 big wheel barrows of them now..LOL

10-29-2011, 12:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
soundofthemusic1 soundofthemusic1's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: 7B Name: Rae Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,170 BananaBucks : 10,432 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,597 Times Was Thanked 349 Times in 166 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 68 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) Hi, I have a question for you all. When you dry your canna rhizomes, do you leave them in a sunny area or shady area? My cannas are planted next to my iris and are taking over the garden. If I don't dig up my cannas and leave them in the ground, will they kill my iris. Thanks! __________________ Rae Georgia 7B Last edited by soundofthemusic1 : 11-01-2011 at 06:18 PM.

11-01-2011, 02:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
Michael_Andrew Michael_Andrew's Photo Gallery Location: Toledo, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Michael Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 517 BananaBucks : 67,755 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 248 Times Was Thanked 384 Times in 182 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 226 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) I usally spread mine out on the patio in the sun for a few days. I think that the cannas would overtake the irises but not sure they would survive the winter if you left them in the ground.

11-01-2011, 03:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
JuniPerez Puerto Rican Gone Bananas JuniPerez's Photo Gallery Location: Rochester, NY Find me on the map! Zone: 6b Name: Juni Perez Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 313 BananaBucks : 77,601 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 153 Times Was Thanked 202 Times in 117 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 13 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) I dig up some of my cannas (not all since they reproduce to be too many by fall) and wash off all the dirt, let them dry a couple of days, and put them in old laundry bags (labelled by cultivar) that I keep for that purpose. Another thing I like to do, since I have a few varieties, is collect the seeds. They cross pollinate, so I get interesting crosses from the seeds. If you collect the seeds, nick them with a file or knife and germinate indoors starting about early spring, so they'll be ready for planting in May/June.

11-02-2011, 02:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
TrailGaiter Angie Location: Madison, Wisconsin Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Angie Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 127 BananaBucks : 89,695 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 115 Times Was Thanked 117 Times in 64 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) Thanks for the ideas.... I've got mine out of the ground now, but I only had two clumps, since they were only newly planted this year. One started as a small plant I bought, (and spread quickly!) and another I grew from a rhizome in a bag. It also spread. They both came out well, but in one big clump. I've got both clumps sitting in my garage. Should I be trying to split them up into smaller pieces, or just leave them as is and replant that way next year? I did cut the cannas off at ground level before I dug them up....and what I have now are what looks like huge banana corms, with short stalks coming from the top. I had read before digging them up it's best to let them see some mild freezes....so they did, and the foliage was starting to die back. I sure miss them....it's amazing what those cannas did for the spot where they were growing! But, I'm hoping they will be back next year! Better than this year!

11-08-2011, 07:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
Michael_Andrew Michael_Andrew's Photo Gallery Location: Toledo, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Michael Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 517 BananaBucks : 67,755 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 248 Times Was Thanked 384 Times in 182 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 226 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) Digging the cannas. They never got this tall before. Now they are in leaf bags in the basement. I still have three more beds and not sure I'll get them all out this year. I'm gonna mulch one area but don't expect them to make it. Here are some Tropical Bronze Scarlet grown from seed this year.

11-08-2011, 07:52 PM	#15 (permalink)
nannerfunboi nannerfunboi's Photo Gallery Location: provo utah Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 393 BananaBucks : 33,450 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 692 Times Was Thanked 481 Times in 251 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 23 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) michael andrew.. great cannas!! im guessing those are musafolia? i get told all the time by other gardening friends my musafolias cant get as tall as i say they do.. till i send them pics and blooming.. heeehehe... all my cannas are safely in 5 boxes in cool basement now.. next spring..whew.. i am going to have a TON of cannas to plant.. i will be selling some clumps on ebay..i wont need all of them.. ive been thinking of putting in some bamboo..so i have to leave some room for that... good luck to all on overwintering !!!!

11-08-2011, 08:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
Michael_Andrew Michael_Andrew's Photo Gallery Location: Toledo, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Michael Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 517 BananaBucks : 67,755 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 248 Times Was Thanked 384 Times in 182 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 226 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) I had really contemplated bamboo but on a trip this year to Middle Bass Island they had these beautiful stands of I'm pretty sure Arundo donax. I planted some variegated last year and its been a little slow in spreading so I ordered some of the regular and planted it late this year. I ordered two plants that came in 3" pots so they are tiny. It can be invasive but should be controllable in a zone 5. http://www.sthazards.com/Gallery/St....2004%20010.jpg

11-08-2011, 09:26 PM	#17 (permalink)
TrailGaiter Angie Location: Madison, Wisconsin Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Angie Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 127 BananaBucks : 89,695 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 115 Times Was Thanked 117 Times in 64 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2 Times	Re: Digging up cannas (and want more!) all I can say is WOW!!

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