Cannas
Cannas (the genus Canna) which offer flowers in a variety of lovely shades, are grown primarily for their bold, tropical leaves. They are a wonderful addition to containers or flower borders. Our new Faux Bois Terra Cotta Planters make a delightful home for your cannas whether they are planted indoors or are a part of your outdoor container garden. They have a special rustic charm that reminds us of American folk art. They are painted and glazed with a bark pattern in a smooth finish. The golden rule for growing cannas successfully is plenty of sun and good moisture.Plant your cannas outside when any chance of frost is past (late May in NYC area). Cannas grow on rhizomes (an underground stem that produces shoots and roots). Plant the rhizome 4 to 6 inches deep with the growing points (the eyes) facing upward. If you buy cannas in a pot, plant the level of the pot even with the soil. If you bury the lower part of the stem, it will succumb to rot. Cannas are heavy feeders and thrive in rich organic matter. Amend your soil with plenty of compost and add a balanced slow-release fertilizer.
Cannas are fairly maintenance free during the summer. You can fertilize them mid-summer to give them a boost, but this is not necessary. Add supplemental water during dry spells to keep the plants healthy. Flowers will start in late July and continue until frost. Once all the flower buds are finished, dead-head flower spikes down to the next set of buds. At times it can be difficult to locate the next set of buds because they are tucked inside a sheath that wraps around the flower stalk. Make sure not to cut off the sheath, as this is where the next set of flower buds is developing.
In the fall, wait until after the first frost before you remove your plants. The frost will kill the foliage and give the plant the signal that it is time to go dormant. Cut the dead foliage down to 4–6 inches. Remove the rhizome from the ground. Inspect the rhizome and take off any dead or decaying parts. Cleaning off all remaining soil will help to complete a proper inspection of the rhizome.
Place the rhizomes close to one another in a cardboard box or a plastic bulb crate that is lined with newspaper and filled with damp (just slightly moist) peat moss or a mix of peat and old compost. It is important that the rhizomes are not too dry and not too moist. If they dry out, they will shrivel and die; and if they are kept too moist, they will rot. Make sure that you do not store your rhizomes in plastic bags. Store them in a cool garage that does not get above 50–55̊F or go below freezing. In the spring, give the rhizomes a little water to help develop the rhizome and new buds. Remember when storing rhizomes: Cold + Wet = Dead, and when growing cannas: Sun + Moisture = Healthy.
Caladiums
Caladiums or angel wings (the genus Caladium) have large, arrow-head shaped leaves in a startling array of color and patterns. The leaf size ranges from 6 to14 inches, and the foliage grows from 12 to 24 inches tall and wide. A great accent plant for containers, they perform best in shade or part shade, but can handle some sun if given plenty of water. Caladiums need warmth, ample moisture, and frequent feeding to thrive. Deadhead the flowers to ensure good foliage.Go back to learn how to create a Victorian tapestry in your garden and growing coleus.
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