Decorative canna flower is valued for its large colorful flowers and juicy green leaves. The heat-loving plant blooms beautifully during the summer, but does not tolerate the harsh Russian winter. That is why for many gardeners the question of how to store cannes in winter is relevant. A tropical beauty can delight with its flowering for more than one year, provided that the tubers are properly stored during the cold months.
There are several ways to store eland in the winter. Each has its own characteristics. But it should be borne in mind that only he althy roots that are not damaged by rot, fungi and pests should be stored. Otherwise, putrefactive bacteria will be transferred from diseased tubers to he althy ones, becoming a source of infection.
3 ways to store cannes for the winter
- After abundant flowering, you need to gradually reduce watering so that the plant enters a dormant period. Before the onset of the first frost (usually mid-September), the tubers are dug up with a clod of earth. The remaining stems are cut, leaving 7-10 cmlength. It is not required to clean the roots from the ground. Leaving a layer of earth, the tubers can be dried in a cool room with an air temperature of at least +10 degrees. Further processing consists in the fact that the rhizomes, together with the soil, are placed in boxes, boxes, plastic bags and removed to the basement, cellar, heated balcony, where the temperature does not drop below +5 ° С.
- There is another way to store cannes. It is suitable for those who do not have the opportunity to remove cannes for storage in cold rooms. At the beginning of autumn, green he althy plants are dug up and transferred to pots or flowerpots at home. In this case, cutting the stems is not required. Bright lighting and sufficient watering in winter will prolong the flowering period of these tropical beauties. True, the shortened daylight hours will slightly weaken the plant. In the shortest winter months, the flower will go into hibernation, ceasing to develop. And at the beginning of spring it will start growing again.
- The third way to store cannes in winter is suitable for those who have spacious verandas, balconies, cellars, where the air temperature is kept at +12 to +15 degrees. In this case, you can also transplant flowers into flowerpots or containers, but at the same time cut the stems and water occasionally. This method has a number of advantages over the others. Firstly, with such storage, the tubers are less susceptible to various damages. Secondly, the growth of greenery stops, and the flower continues to gain strength, forming additional buds, from which flowers will appear in summer.
There are flower growers who do not use anyone of the above methods, but can share how to store cannes in the winter and get a great result for the next year. To do this, dug out rhizomes are washed from the ground, kept in a solution of potassium permanganate, dried in heat and put in the refrigerator. By adding chips to a bag or container, you can protect the tubers from drying out. But with this method, planting material should be regularly inspected for the occurrence of fungus. If the tubers begin to dry out, then with this method of storage they can be wrapped in a damp cloth or paper.
