Canna

The genus Canna (Canna) includes 55 herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant species originating from tropical and subtropical climatic zones of America and Asia. They grow mainly varieties of hybrid canna (Sapp hybrida hort.), which differ in a variety of colors of flowers, leaves, and height. The height of varieties and hybrids is from 0.5 to 1.5 m. Canna is characterized by thick fleshy rhizomes with many buds and branching, deep roots. The stem is erect. Green or red-brown large leaves have an oval, oblong or lanceolate shape with pointed ends. At the end of the shoots are spike-shaped inflorescences consisting of a small number of flowers of noticeable size, with three small green sepals. The corolla consists of three narrow, usually green petals. The real stamen (the only one) is located in the center of the flower, the rest are reborn into very lush ones. petal-like bracts, some of them oblong, one narrower, unfolded downwards. Currently, there are many varieties of the richest colors - white, cream, yellow, open-pink, bright and dark red, orange with various variegated transitions and patterns of colors. Common varieties of hybrid canna (C. hybrida): 'Queen of Stuttgart' with yellow-red flowers, 'Queen of Karlop' with red flowers, 'Cognac and Wine' with red flowers. Among others, well-known ones are: 'Evening Star' with carmine-pink and 'Italy' with yellow flowers, 'Lucifer' with red flowers and uneven yellow edges, 'Ludwig Weinbrenner' with yellow flowers in red spots, 'Snow' with white flowers in red spots and 'Orange Splendor' with light orange flowers.

The genus Canna (Canna) includes 55 herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant species originating from tropical and subtropical climatic zones of America and Asia. They grow mainly varieties of hybrid canna (Sapp hybrida hort.), which differ in a variety of colors of flowers, leaves, and height.

The height of varieties and hybrids is from 0.5 to 1.5 m. Canna is characterized by thick fleshy rhizomes with many buds and branching, deep roots. The stem is erect. Green or red-brown large leaves have an oval, oblong or lanceolate shape with pointed ends. At the end of the shoots are spike-shaped inflorescences consisting of a small number of flowers of noticeable size, with three small green sepals. The corolla consists of three narrow, usually green petals. The real stamen (the only one) is located in the center of the flower, the rest are reborn into very lush ones. petal-like bracts, some of them oblong, one narrower, unfolded downwards. Currently, there are many varieties of the richest colors - white, cream, yellow, open-pink, bright and dark red, orange with various variegated transitions and patterns of colors.

Common varieties of hybrid canna (C. hybrida): 'Queen of Stuttgart' with yellow-red flowers, 'Queen of Karlop' with red flowers, 'Cognac and Wine' with red flowers. Among others, well-known ones are: 'Evening Star' with carmine-pink and 'Italy' with yellow flowers, 'Lucifer' with red flowers and uneven yellow edges, 'Ludwig Weinbrenner' with yellow flowers in red spots, 'Snow' with white flowers in red spots and 'Orange Splendor' with light orange flowers.

Cultivation

Cannas are open-ground plants that are quite easy to grow. They are used mainly in flower beds, where they form beautiful color spots. Planted in spring, from April to June, when the possibility of frost is excluded. Although different types of soil are suitable for these plants, they prefer organic-rich soil, so rotted manure is added when preparing the land. Flowering will be lush if you remove the first blooming flowers.

Location

Gangnam is suitable for a sunny location; in the south, partial shade is tolerated.

Temperature

The optimal temperature for these plants is from 18 to 25 °C, the minimum is 7 °C.

Watering

Cannas are moisture-loving plants that prefer always moist, but not excessively moist soil. Therefore, in the spring and summer period, flowerbeds should be watered frequently.

Care

Remove faded flowers. In early autumn, the plant is pruned, leaving about 20 cm in height.

Reproduction

Cannas are propagated by dividing the rhizome. After the first frost, the rhizomes are dug out, the stem is cut off, the rhizomes together with a lump of earth are transferred to the storage-a basement room with a temperature of 4-6 °C. In spring, the rhizomes are cleared of earth and old roots and placed in boxes (a small wooden or metal structure is ideal for plant propagation) and covered with a layer of peat soil. Buds on the rhizome germinate quickly, after which they can be divided in such a way that on each part there are bud shoots that have started to grow. After that, they are planted in a permanent place. In a temperate climate zone, rhizomes can be extracted and divided even in autumn.

Cannas are propagated by dividing the rhizome. After the first frost, the rhizomes are dug out, the stem is cut off, the rhizomes together with a lump of earth are transferred to the storage-a basement room with a temperature of 4-6 °C. In spring, the rhizomes are cleared of earth and old roots and placed in boxes (a small wooden or metal structure is ideal for plant propagation) and covered with a layer of peat soil. Buds on the rhizome germinate quickly, after which they can be divided in such a way that on each part there are bud shoots that have started to grow. After that, they are planted in a permanent place.

In a temperate climate zone, rhizomes can be extracted and divided even in autumn.

Diseases

Cannas are susceptible to bacterial diseases (which are caused by Xanthomonas cannae), which are accompanied by blackening and death of buds; the appearance of white, and then blackening spots on the leaves. Bacterioses develop in conditions of excess moisture, and they are incurable: the affected plants can only be discarded. The leaves may be damaged by butterfly caterpillars (for example, Plusia gamma, Gortina ochracea). In this case, insecticides should be used against the caterpillars. Nematodes (Meloidogyne) provoke the formation of white galls on the roots. Affected plants wither, growth slows down. It is recommended to disinfect the ground with special preparations against nematodes.

Acquisition

Canna rhizomes are easily found in gardening centers, some flower shops, and businesses that specialize in mail-order sales. It is best to make a purchase in the spring, when you can immediately plant plants in a permanent place. Choose strong rhizomes with budding buds.