A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 Storing Cannas Question

Hi....
What are some ways to store cannas? I just dug mine up and i have them drying in the garage.

Greg

I store mine in paper bags in a insulated box in the garage. Should be dark, dry, temps above freezing but below 50 degrees.

HI Greg. psu1943-method will work but i do mine this way.the best time to dig up cannas.after your first frost cut off all the foliage,dig them up and rinse all the soil off them let them dry for a few days then store them indoors in a dark dry place with the temp about 50 deg store them in a mesh bag.a onion bag works great.eather way will work just fine.your friend in gardening.mike57

So.....
I didn't know that :rolleyes: ...this is the first year I've had them...and they have multiplied like rabbits this summer.

Man, this gardening is a tough job!
It's always something!
I have about 4 or 5 shovels all over the yard...no matter where I am, there is always a shovel close by!
Guess I'll be using one of them on the cannas today!



Cindy

cindy, if your cannas did ok last year, they don't need dug up. but there are cannas that won't make it through a winter with snow.

I feel for you Cindy. I have first year canna too. And I know I have to dig mine up because they are in a container and would never make it through the winter. And you know my small apartment. I guess the canna will be in the crisper with the lettuce lol.

tk since you live in an apartment...If you have room a couple of suggestions on where to put them...in a closet or under the bed, since both would be cooler areas. But the ideal spot is usually in the garage.

I would be concerned living in an apartment because the heat will be greater then 50 degrees. Here in zone 6 I am awaiting the first frost, and I am poised to trim and dig. I bring my outdoor planters in, refresh the peat moss, and bury the cannas. I am on about 3 seasons now and keep sharing with the neighbors. I usually have to trim them two times and a little water so they dont dry out, but the basement seems to be perfect

Well I am know help, because in Ga. you don't have to dig them up

I do not store mine dry. I have them in pots water 1/2 glass once a month. They start to sprout in March and bloom in June. I am in a hurry for flowers.

Cinta,
Do you keep the canna in the house, or another place. I like the idea of early blooms!

MRW, I keep them in the basement the temps are 50-55 in the winter.

I have heard people that do not have the space for the pots all winter.....Start them in pots in March but it is harder after drying all winter to not over water and rot.

If you have them out you can put a lot of bulbs in one pot and put soil over them. I use the big styrofoam boxes and they start sprouting on their own. I do not give them any extra light. Only light they get if from the two small glassblock windows in the basement until all threat of frost before they go outside.

thanks cinta
will try!

I was told to cut the roots off and wrap them in newspaper, then put in a cool, dark place. Is this right?
Debbie
Missouri zone 5

Hello Cinta,
Is your basement heated in winter? I ask because mine is not and I never check how hot or cold it gets. I will want to store dahlias and roses.

Yes my basement is heated. But it stays cool because the radiator is not big enough to heat it as warm as the rest of the house. So it stays at 50-55.