Growing Cannas

Planting your Canna Crop:
Planting Depth: Rhizomes should be planted in well-drained substrate 1.5″-2″ deep.

Water: Cannas like soil with good water holding capacity and pH 5.8-6.2 and EC 1.0-1.5 (SMA). Water plants regularly and don’t allow plants to completely dry out. Feed plants with 20-20-20 at 200-250 ppm and alternate with 15-5-15 Ca/Mg. Keep EC of growing substrate at 1.5-1.8

More Recommendations:

  • Plant 1 Bulb/Rhizome per 1 gallon pot
       When planting larger containers, use this metric as pot size increases
    • 2 Rhizomes per 2 gallon
    • 3 Rhizomes per 3 gallon
       
  • In warmer, hotter Southern Markets
            Plant in January for April flowers
    • 10-11 week crop
    • As the temperatures warm up, crop time will be shorter
    • Suggest a 6-10 ppm range bonzi drench as 1st leaves unfurl to keep
      to a shippable height-repeat as needed.
       
  • In the Mid-Atlantic
       Plant in early March for late May flower
    • 10-11 week crop time
    • As the temperatures warm up, crop time will be shorter
    • Suggest a 4-6 ppm range bonzi drench as 1st leaves unfurl to keep
      to a shippable height-repeat as needed.
       
  • Northern and West Coast
       Start them inside for early March for late May flower
    • 12-13 week crop time
    • Suggest a 1-2 ppm range bonzi drench as 1st leaves unfurl to keep
      to a shippable height-repeat as needed.

     

cannas in greenhouse

Light: Performance is better in high light situations – they can withstand up to 9,000 foot-candles

Temperature: Canna lily can tolerate very high temps, 110-105 degrees
Optimal night temps 60-62 degrees. Can grow under lower temps 50-55 degrees, but production time will be much longer. Optimal day temp is 75-90 degrees.

Spacing: After 1st application of PGR – 1-1 leaves unfurled, suggestion is to space, to provide sufficient airflow and light.

Pests: More so in the landscape – Leaf Rollers, worms, grasshoppers and other pests are the most common pests for cannas. If this problem occurs, apply a pesticide as a preventative, using your normal protocol to correct concern.

Disease: In sub-tropic areas such as Florida, cannas can experience a leaf fungus or rust. It presents itself as yellow to tan spots on the plant’s leaves and stems. Apply preventative fungicides.