Bulbs - Canna
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  (January) I have a bed of red and yellow cannas. This was the first year for them and when they came up it was evident that they were too thick. After the tops died down, I cut them off. I don't know what to do next. Do I need to dig them for the winter ( I live in West Central Arkansas) or just cover them? If so how should they be stored and when do I replant them? If I shouldn't dig them now when should I dig and replant them to thin them? What type fertilizer should I use on them? I used Miracle grow last summer. Any advice you could give me would be appreciated.

  Usually, canna's overwinter in central Arkansas just fine. For now, remove the spent foliage--since insects can overwinter in it, and mulch lightly. I would suggest digging and dividing as they begin to emerge in the spring. Dig up the clumps and separate; replant leaving space for new growth. Cannas multiply rapidly and for best results, should be divided annually. Most of us don't get around to annual division, but try to do it at least every other year. Fertilize after they begin growing with any general fertilizer. I like a slow release high nitrogen fertilizer. Water when dry.

  (March) Last year all my Canna Lilies had some kind of worms that caused the leaves not to open. Are the tubers left from last year still infected, should they be destroyed, or, is there a chemical I can use to control the problem this year?

  There is an insect called a leaf roller that can keep the leaves rolled up tight. Cleaning up the spent foliage from last season, may help cut down on the problem this season, since the insects often over winter in the old foliage and mulch. Make sure all the old foliage and mulch are removed and monitor the plants closely for signs of problems. Spray if you see a problem beginning. BT - Bacillus thuriengiensis, Dipel, or Sevin can help, but hopefully, won't be needed.

  (March) I have a long narrow bed in which I have grown cannas in one end, ginger lilies in the other, for many years. I cut everything back to the ground after the foliage has died. I have occasionally dug the tubers and separated them, but most years they just stay in the ground for the winter. For the last several years I have had worms that infest the cannas and keep the leaves tightly rolled. My local nursery people have told me to treat them with Sevin dust, after they manifest themselves. The worms don't bother the ginger lilies. Is there any way to rid myself of the worms permanently so they don't reinfest my cannas every year? Also, would you please give me a recommendation for a fertilizer program.

  Cutting back the spent foliage and removing it is very important. The canna leaf rollers do overwinter in plant debris, so sanitation is important. If you continue to get them, you may want to use a preventative insecticide. Sevin or the BT should work when you see them. Interestingly enough, cannas should be dug and divided every spring--let them make it through the winter intact. Probably most people don't divide annually, but they multiply rapidly, and often don't have as good a bloom the second or third season if not divided--they get so crowded, that they grow taller and have smaller flower heads. Fertilize as they begin to grow in the spring, and then again about six to eight weeks later with any high nitrogen or complete fertilizer.

  (November) I put out some cannas this summer and they have grown some. They had some pretty blooms. Do I need to cut them back this fall and mulch them?

  Most cannas overwinter well, at least in the southern two thirds of the state. They have made it through even up north the past few winters. After a killing frost, do cut the foliage off and mulch them. Not only will this aid in winter hardiness, but sanitation can cut down on the leaf roller insect problem, that has plagued many cannas the past few years. Cannas benefit from division annually in the spring.

  (December) Wonder if you might be kind enough to tell me how to store my recently dug up canna roots. I enjoyed a lovely show of blooms these past several months. I would like to re use them in my yard, once we are blessed with a return of warm weather.

  Canna bulbs can be stored easily in a cardboard box or similar breathable container. Now that the bulbs have been dug and dried for several days, shake off the old soil, and put them in shredded newspaper, dry peat moss or shipping peanuts. Then place in a cool, dry place until spring planting. (Canna bulbs have been winter hardy for most of the state the past few years, so for those of you who haven't lifted and stored them, don't rush outside to do so. Just clean up the area now, and add some extra mulch.)

  Is it possible to leave cannas in the ground as far north as Horseshoe Bend? When we lived in Texas, they overwintered outdoors, but since moving here I have been lifting them every fall. This is a job I would rather not do if possible. What do you think?

  The mentioned bulbs are considered questionable in north Arkansas, although many do leave them out year-round with success. The key is to cut off the foliage immediately following a killing frost, and then mulch them with several inches of leaves or pine needles. This extra protection should get them through, in all but the worst winters.

  We have Cannas and would like to start some new plants from the seeds we have harvested.

  The seeds of cannas are so hard--they were used as buckshot in colonial times. They don't breed true from seed, and I really don't recommend planting them from seed. Division of small daughter plants would be a much easier method of plant propagation.

  I had canna leaf curl badly last season. Should I spray now or wait until spring?

  Canna leaf rollers overwinter in the spent foliage--clip that off and destroy it. For safety sake, replace the surrounding old mulch as well. Hopefully, this will start you off clean and we shouldn’t have as much of a problem as we did last season.

  I have been unable to find instructions on the care of cannas. What I bought were supposed to be smaller versions, but some of them grew tall and ugly. Some bloom well, while others don’t. What is the best care? Also, the enclosed branch comes from a plant the birds must have planted. I have no idea what it is or where it came from? Any ideas? 

  Cannas are relatively easy care summer bulbs. They thrive in wet or moist areas in full or partial sun. This past year, many of them were plagued with a leaf roller that didn’t improve their appearance. Cut off the old foliage now, and get rid of it. This should prevent problems with the insects next season. Then mulch the plants. For the most part, cannas are winter hardy statewide. In the northern half of the state, some protective mulch will help. If some of your plants grew too tall for their location, you might try moving them when they emerge in the spring. If they are too dry or in too much shade, they won’t perform at their peak. Fertilize them with any complete fertilizer as new growth begins next spring. Dead-heading the spent flowers can give you move blossoms during the growing season. Some varieties have showy foliage as well as flowers.

  We live in the Little Rock area and I have a question about Canna Lilies. Is it to early to spread them out, should I wait until we have several nights of frost? We have several areas of Canna and they are just to thick I heard that you could dig up the roots and replant them elsewhere, any hints?

  We used to consider canna's as moderately winter hardy. Now, for the most part, we leave them in the ground year-round. However, I wouldn't divide them in the fall, as this may make them less winter hardy. They wouldn't have the network of bulbs and roots. Wait until they begin to emerge in the spring, and then divide them as needed.

  I have planted some Cannas that my mother gave me. They seem to have done quite well, the only problem is, now they are dying down. I don't know what to do with them--do you cut them down or just let them "die down". I have heard that they can be "divided" but am not sure when and how to do that. I had planted them in a bed together but believe that was a mistake, as they are very crowded.

  As perennials begin to look ugly or die back, cut the old foliage off--you don't have to wait for the foliage to completely die back. If the plants need to be moved due to overcrowding, you can also do that this fall, Plants that bloom in the summer can be divided spring or fall. Fall is ideal since they produce a stronger root system during the winter.

  My cannas have grown very tall. I see at some homes they are only about 3 ft. tall. Can I cut them back ? If so, when ?

  Different varieties grow different heights. Also, type of care or location can also determine more or less growth. If they are in a rich, moist environment, they typically do better than if they are in a poor, dry site. If the leaves have begun to die back, cut them off, otherwise leave them be for a while.

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