When the weather starts to cool down and winter approaches, it’s important to start thinking about how to properly save your cannas to ensure they survive the cold months and thrive come spring.
Find the Right Storage Location
The key to successfully saving your cannas over winter is to store them in a cool, dark, and humid place with good ventilation. Consider using fruit cellars or cool basements as they provide the ideal conditions for keeping your cannas healthy.
Avoid Freezing Temperatures
It’s crucial to avoid storing your cannas in areas where they may freeze, such as attics or garages. Freezing temperatures can cause irreversible damage to the rhizomes, leading to poor growth in the following season.
Regularly Inspect Your Rhizomes
Throughout the winter months, make a habit of checking on your stored cannas. Discard any rhizomes that appear shriveled, diseased, or infested with insects. Regular inspection helps prevent the spread of diseases and ensures that only healthy rhizomes are kept for the next season.
Prepare for Digging and Storing
As winter approaches, prepare for digging up your cannas for storage. Ensure you have the necessary tools and storage containers ready, so you can efficiently handle the process without causing any damage to the rhizomes.
Timing Is Key
Wait until after the first frost to dig up your cannas. This allows the foliage to die back naturally and signals to the plant that it’s time to enter dormancy. Late digging can result in damage to the rhizomes and impact their ability to survive winter.
Properly Clean and Dry Rhizomes
After digging up your cannas, clean off any excess soil and allow the rhizomes to dry for a few hours. Do not wash the rhizomes as excess moisture can lead to rot during storage.
Trim and Label
Trim any remaining foliage or roots from the rhizomes before storing them. Additionally, it’s a good practice to label your storage containers with the type or color of cannas to easily identify them during planting season.
Use Proper Storage Containers
Ensure your storage containers provide adequate ventilation to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to rot. Consider using paper bags or cardboard boxes lined with newspaper to store your cannas.
Monitor Temperature and Humidity
Check the storage area regularly to ensure consistent temperature and humidity levels. Fluctuations in these conditions can impact the health of the rhizomes, so maintaining a stable environment is crucial for their survival.
Plan for Spring Replanting
As winter comes to an end, start planning for the replanting of your cannas in the spring. Prepare the planting area, replenish the soil with nutrients, and ensure the site receives adequate sunlight for optimal growth.
Patiently Await Spring Growth
With proper care and attention to detail, your stored cannas are likely to emerge from dormancy and begin to grow once again in the spring. Be patient and enjoy the beauty of your cannas as they come back to life after a restful winter.
