jueves, 23 de julio de 2009

Cannas - Available from September

Cannas
The news on the canna front is good.
The propogation of 4 trusted varieties of cannas is superceeding all expectatcions and the canna rhizomes should be in excellent condition.They will be available from early september onwards.
A little about the cultivation Cannas. In Spain they like to be planted pretty deep, as they like well prepared rich soil. They are rather ravenous in their appetite so some well rotted manure, preferably chicken , should be put in the ground.
Water freely in summer preferably with a drip irrigation systems feeding every month with a balanced liquid fertiliser.
If there is a risk of frost the crown of the plants must be protected with a form of mulch. Every couple of years they like to be sub-divide to prevent overcrowding.
Disease and Insect, pest: Canna is a hardy plant not much affected by disease and pests. Although some bacterial and fungal diseases like bud rot (Xanthomonas sp.), rust (Puccinia thaliae), stem rot (Pellicularia rolfsii) and canna mosaic virus may infect the plant. Diseases can be prevented by using only healthy rootstocks. I like to spray during the spring and summer months with a little Neem Oil at a rate of 2cc per litre as a preventative fungicide/insecticide.
Cannas can grow tall enough to form a summer hedge and generally speaking are sort of bold and brashy.
My uncle was called Richard Wallace and this was the first variety of canna that I planted. A sort of non-family hodoo! The variety name first atracted me, however the large green leaves and bright yellow flowers soon won me over. The other varieties are "Red “Dazzler” which has large dark redish/maroonish leaves and large audacious flowers. "Mediterranean King" has green foliage with yellow/red flowers.And last but not least "Orange King" again with reddy/bronze foliage. The 4 varieteis are from tall class of Cannas.
As a house plant they fall into the easy to look after category.
Spray regularly with water, put in a place with plenty of light.

1 comentario:

  1. Necesito una botella de neem...me la envias a mi casa...por favor...mis plantas la necesitan

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