How to Grow and Care for the Canna Hybrid Flower in Containers
Intro: Canna hybrid plants, also called Indian shot, canna and many other common names, is a beautiful flower that do well in plant containers. These plants grows quite tall – from 3 to 8 feet, depending on the variety. Gardeners have created many varieties with larger, brighter flowers and more attractive foliage. The large Canna flowers bloom on tall flower spikes from midsummer to mid-fall and come in pink, red, orange, gold, yellow and any shade of these colors. Leaf colors can also be purple, red, yellow, green and striped.
Scientific Name: Canna species
Plant Type: Perennial flower
Light: Full sun
Water: Do not let the Canna plant's soil dry out between waterings. Canna flowers needs constantly moist potting soil.
Zone: Depending on the variety, Canna are hardy in container gardens from Zone 8 to 11.
Fertilizer: Fertilize monthly when the Canna plant is actively growing.
Pests and Diseases: No serious insect pests or diseases affect Canna plants in the garden. Watch out for Canna virus (which results in crinkled leaves), aphids, slugs and snails. Canna flowers also can be susceptible to canna leaf rollers, which are the larvae of a species of moth and a species of skipper butterfly.
Propagation: Propagate Canna plants by division or seeds. Division is easiest. Divide the clumps in the fall, making sure that each Canna division has an eye. Plant the eyes in small plant containers and water them thoroughly. With seeds, soak them in water for one to two days, and the Canna seeds should germinate in one to two weeks. Keep the seeds at about 70 to 75 degrees. Scratch or nick the Canna seeds to damage them – this will help with germination.
Misc. Info: Canna rhizomes are rich in starch, so this plant is grown for agricultural purposes. The rhizomes are used to feed animals, and are used as vegetables for human consumption.
