|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2006 12:22:12 GMT
In case you're wondering why this sudden burst of MB activity after nothing yesterday, I spent yesterday working in the garden and making plans for next year - hence all the questions! Last year a plant appeared in the garden, which died back over winter, reappeared this year, and has revealed itself as a canna lily - which of course should not be growing here (no idea how a seed found its way here). All the information I've found says that canna rhizomes must be overwintered inside, like dahlias, but that's not practical here (no storage space). When rhizomes are left outside, apparently they should be dug up in spring, and divided into those sections with eyes, and then re-planted. However, since it seems happy where it is I'm loath to disturb it - I was going to give it plenty of space, feed it, cover it with straw and hope for the best. Does anyone have any experience growing cannas in the open ground in 'zone 9'? And what's the best approach? ... cheers ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Auricula on Sept 12, 2006 23:56:49 GMT
I have been growing cannas in the ground for 3 years and I guess that we have similar climates. Make sure you leave all the leaves and stems in place over the winter to protect the roots. I don't cut them back until I can see the new shoots appearing in Spring. It does look a bit untidy but it is worthwhile.The cannas should produce more shoots/stems each year and soon bulk up. If it is forecast to be really cold I put a mulch of leaves or compost or just some fleece over them but so far they have thrived and multiplied. Good luck  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2006 11:13:05 GMT
Thanks Auricula, that's really encouraging. It is a gorgeous plant and it decided to grow in just the right place - with lots of greenery behind it and a dry stone wall as a backdrop. Now I'm tempted to get some seeds from T&M and grow more ... cheers ...
|
|
|
|
Post by toonia on Sept 13, 2006 11:21:19 GMT
Can someone explain the zone thing? I've seen on US sites they use them but has all of Europe been done too? It would be a useful point of reference, especially for us exiles!
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2006 11:23:59 GMT
Hi Toonia ... I was recently given a book which, although published in the States, has a map of Europe with the zones - it's very detailed, e.g. not just Ireland but Dublin. It is very handy, although obviously not infallible. I'm too lazy to go up and find the book now, but I'll root it out during the day and let you know about regions in France ... cheers ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2006 14:02:29 GMT
Hi,
I have a couple of Cannas which I planted for the first time this year. They grew into lovely flowering plants. I was going to dig them up for the winter but after reading auriculas comments, Im going to risk leaving them out. I also got lucky today and bought 2 more cannas of a different variety from Focus. I was lucky because they had been reduced from £6.99 to 49p :-)
When I went to pay for them I was told they had been reduced again to 33p each :-D
I only went out for some compost and ended up with a bargain.
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by piggingardener on Sept 22, 2006 14:56:39 GMT
Fantastic Artisticsteve - I love a bargain. Hope your cannas do well for you!
|
|
