Contents
Cannes for the winter: when to dig
Digging cannes for the winter is a prerequisite for growing this exotic flower. Basically, this requirement applies to gardeners living in places where the soil temperature drops below 10 ° C in winter. If the plant is properly prepared for this procedure and carried out in a timely manner, then next summer the canna will bloom again in your garden.
Cannes in winter – to dig or not
Since the canna is a tropical plant, it cannot withstand low temperatures and simply freezes. To prevent this from happening, the rhizome of the plant must be dug up.
In the conditions of the central strip of cannes for the winter, it is necessary to dig out for storage
Only in southern latitudes, where the soil temperature remains at –5 ° C in winter, can the eland be left to winter in the ground. But at the same time, measures should be taken to protect it from the cold. To do this, the stem of the flower is poked up in order to protect the root collar from freezing. They also cover the plant with spruce branches.
Another good reason for ensuring the preservation of canna roots in the winter is the ability to have your own planting material. Not all gardeners can afford to purchase canna seedlings every year, so they strive to preserve their favorite plants.
When and how to dig cannes for winter storage
Experts recommend starting to dig garden cannes between mid-September and October. The timing can be adjusted depending on local climatic conditions. The main thing is to do this before the onset of the first stable frosts. Plants must be prepared for the upcoming storage. For this, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced, followed by its termination.
The procedure for digging cannes for winter storage:
- If you plan to store the canna rhizome in a cellar or refrigerator, then before digging up the flower, cut off its aerial part at a distance of 20 cm from the root. To grow cannes in an apartment, you do not need to cut it.
- Dig a plant out of the ground. It is recommended to do this together with an earthen lump. For storage in the refrigerator, the roots must be cleaned of soil.
- Examine the rhizome carefully for rotten and diseased parts. Cut out the damaged parts and treat the cut with manganese or fungicide.
After digging, you need to dry the rhizome in a ventilated place for several days and only then transfer it to storage. You can put the planting material in boxes and, having covered it with sand or peat, put it in the basement or cellar for the winter. In the absence of such a room, a refrigerator can serve as a storage place.
And if you want to enjoy the blooming canna until winter, then transplant it into a flower pot and grow it like a regular houseplant. Any of the options will help preserve the flower until spring, so that you can plant it again to decorate your site or garden.