How do You Plant Canna Lilies

How do You Plant Canna Lilies

                                                                     

About a century ago, Canna was grown to create mass effect due to the beauty of its leaves. Various species of Canna brought from West Indies and Costa Rica were widely grown in England and other European countries to give a tropical effect to the landscape. Some of these species with colorful leaves were very attractive from the point of view of foliage. But they had very small flowers, due to which they failed to attract the attention of horticulturists. After many years, as a result of mutual hybridization, some species with large flowers were developed, which are being grown well in the country and abroad today. Most of the species of Canna grown in the garden are derived from Canna indica, which was originally a wild species of West Indies with yellow flowers. The species of Canna that we grow today, both their leaves and flowers are beautiful and attractive.

 

Generally, Canna is known as Indian Shot because the black and hard seeds of wild Canna are used as gun shot. Canna is a monocotyledonous and perennial plant with knotty roots. It grows up to 1.5 to 2.5 meters in height. Its stem remains completely under the ground, which is called 'Tuber'. Pulpy roots emerge from the tuber which do not go too deep and spread here and there. People grow it in beds or pots.

 

Canna is a plant of the Cannaceae family. The genus, Canna, is native to tropical America and Asia. Canna plant is stout but without branches. Its flowers are borne on a terminal raceme or panicle. They are very irregular and are mostly red or yellow in colour. Sepals are mostly green and small. There are three petals, which are narrow and pointed. The petals can be green or coloured. Style is one and long. The attractive coloured petals that are visible are not actually petals but are modified form of stamens, which are called "Staminodia". Capsules are of three colours, which contain a little more seeds.

 

Though there are about 60 species of the genus Canna, the major species among them are described below-

 Canna How to Plant

1. Canna indica - Most species of Canna come under this category. It is also known as Canna patens, Canna crocea, Canna tenuiflora, Canna spectabilis and Canna coccinea. Its popular name is Indian Shot. The plant is soft, green, glabrous and grows 90 to 150 cm tall. Leaves are green, smooth, rectangular but pointed, 30 to 40 cm long and 15 to 20 cm wide. Racemes are simple and lax. Some flowers emerge in pairs. Flowers are small and sepals are rectangular, green and 6 to 8 mm long. Petals are lanceolate, pale green, 3.5 to 3.8 cm long. Upper staminodia are bright red, narrow and 5 cm long. The centre is red and yellow. This species is native to West Indies, Central and South America.

2. Canna Coccinea  - Its stem is soft and green, which grows 120-280 cm long. Leaves are oblong like the tip of a bat. Racemes are simple and lax. Bracks are small, green, round. Sepals are 1.2 cm long like the tip of a bat, which are green with a hint of red. Petals are also like the tip of a bat, which are 3.8 cm long and pale scarlet in colour. Staminodia are 2 cm long and narrow, yellow spots are visible in the middle. This species is also native to West Indies, Central and South America. 

3. Canna Speciosa - Its plant grows up to a height of 150-180 cm. Its stem is green. Its leaves are broad, rectangular and acute. Its flowers are formed by the growth of raceme and sometimes paniculate. A sepal is about 2 cm long, like the tip of a ball, yellow-purple in colour. Petals are 3.8 cm long, straight, yellow-purple and thin like the tip of a ball. Staminodia are 7.5 cm long, shiny, red in colour. This species is native to the Himalayas.

4. Cana Nepalensis  or Canna chinensis  - All the characteristics of Canna speciosa are found in this species. The difference is found in its reflexed petals.

5. Canna Orientalis  - Its stem is soft and grows up to 90 to 120 cm in height. The leaves are oval, rectangular and 30 cm wide and their length is also 30 cm. The racemes are simple. This species is native to the tropical regions of Malaysia.

6. Canna flaccida  - Its stem is green, smooth, with many leaves and the plant grows up to 120 to 180 cm. Flowers emerge on racemes, which are simple. Sepals are 2.5 cm long, green, pointed like the tip of a balm. Petals are 7.5 cm long. Staminodia are obovate, 5-7.5 cm long, 3.8 cm wide and sulphur yellow in colour.

Apart from the above, there are many species like Canna  reevissii, Canna glauca, Canna  edulis, Canna iridiflora, Canna  warscewiczii, etc.

How to grow Canna bulbs

Classification

 (A) Based on the properties of flowers-

1. Orchid-like flowers - It has much larger flowers than other species and all the flowers in a flower cluster do not bloom together. The main species of this class are - Dibutante, Golden Glory, Lemon, Masterpiece, Salmon Yellow, Yellow (Sporat Scarlet, Persian Lancaster, Butter Cup, Carmine King, Copper Giant, Golden Bedding, Yellowking, Hambde etc.

2. Found in bunches (Truss) - These flowers are found in bunches and all the flowers of a bunch bloom almost simultaneously. Most of the new species come in this category. Some other species included in this class are-Herbert Huber, John Tullett, Radio, Statue of Liberty (red) etc.

(A) On the basis of hybridization related experiments done for many years -

The species found in this class can be divided into the following four parts-

1. Normal - The species included in this category are highly developed as compared to the species with small flowers. The flowers are large, beautiful in different colours in groups of six, with a diameter of 10-12 cm. The width of the petals is 3-5 cm.

2. Bouquet - This class has small plants which are adjacent to each other. They look dense and appear like a bunch of flowers.

3. Dread-naught - The flowers of this class are more than those of the normal class. The width of the leaves is up to 6 cm. The diameter of the flowers is up to 12-15 cm.

4. Pygmy - It includes many species with small foliage and flowers. Originally it included plants growing up to 30 cm in height. But later the dwarfism trait was lost and the plants grow smaller than normal but 30 cm in height.

 Selection of Canna varieties for growing

 1. Red flower bearing varieties; like Black Knight, Lord Willingdon, President, Statue of Liberty, Red Plama, Empress of India.

2. Pink flower bearing varieties; like Alipur Beauty Queen Mary.

3. Orange flower bearing varieties; like Copper Giant, Rose Orange, Orange Glory, Orange Terracotta, Golden Orange Kind.

4. Crimea Cleopatra colour bearing varieties; like Ivory Child, Radio, Mount Everest, Queen, Eureka.

5. Yellow flower bearing varieties; like Golden Glory, Lennon, Gaster Peace, Chromine King, Golden Wedding, Butter Cup, Flame, John Toolete.

How to Grow Canna Lilies

Improved varieties of Canna

(1) Avishkar – It is a medium height variety, which bears pinkish red flowers.

(2) American Beauty – It is a tall growing variety. Its flowers are reddish orange in colour. The flowers grow on long stems.

(3) Apricot – It is a dwarf variety. Its flowers are buff-yellow at the base with salmon-pink colour spread on them.

(4) Assaut – It is a medium height variety. Its flowers are red in colour and the foliage is deep bronze in colour.

(5) Black Night – It is a tall growing variety, which bears crimson maroon coloured flowers. Its foliage is deep bronze in colour.

(6) Carmine King – It is a medium height variety. The flowers are large in size, bright carmine-red in colour with yellow centre.

(7) City of Portland – It is a tall growing variety with large pink flowers which are bright in colour.

(8) Cleopatra – The flowers are orange terracotta in colour. The plant grows to medium height and the foliage is light purple in colour.

(9) Damodar – It is a medium height growing plant. It bears ruby ​​pink flowers.

(10) Dragon's Tongue - This plant grows to medium height. The flowers are sulphur yellow and there is also a bright red standard.

(11) Edith - This is a tall growing variety which bears pink flowers.

(12) Fairy - This is a medium growing variety. Its flowers are large, light orange or salmon-red in colour.

(13) Golden Wedding - This is the best and very short variety which bears yellow flowers. Its petals are firmer than other varieties due to which the flowers last longer.

(14) Golden Dawn - Plants grow to a greater height, on which golden yellow flowers bloom.

(15) King Humburt - This is a very large flowering variety whose flowers are orange scarlet in colour with red markings. The leaves are red-bronze in colour.

(16) Lady Bird - This is a medium-grown variety with soft yellow flowers on which red markings are also found.

(17) Mohawk - The plant grows to medium height, the colour of its flowers is deep red and gradually changes to oriental red or carmine. The foliage is bronze in colour.

(18) Mrs. Herbert Hoover - The plant grows to medium height. The flowers are water melon coloured. 10 to 20 flowers emerge from each top, which makes the plant look very attractive.

(19) Orange Plume - The plant grows to a medium height. The flowers are orange in colour and large in size.

(20) Plum - This is a tall growing species on which pink terracotta coloured flowers bloom.

(21) Princess of Wales - Plants of this species grow to a medium height. Its flowers are yellow-red in colour and the centre is yellow in colour.

(22) Statue of Liberty - This is a species that grows to a high height and its fruits are red in colour. This species is useful for growing in beds.

(23) Ambassador - This is a medium height growing variety, whose flowers are red like cherry. This variety is useful for growing in beds.

(24) President - This is a medium height growing variety. Its flowers are bright red in colour. When the flowers are fully bloomed, they can be more than 20 cm.

(25) White Queen - This is a medium height growing variety. It has creamy white flowers.

 How to Plant Canna Lilly

 Propagation

 Canna is propagated by the following two methods-

1. By Seed - Kale can be propagated by seed. In this method, seeds are sown in a well-prepared nursery at a distance of 5x5 cm. Seed germination takes place in 35-45 days. This method is used to prepare plants of hybrid varieties by pollination method. Its plants are prepared for the first time by this method. This method is not suitable due to the following reasons-

1. The quality of plants grown from seeds is uncertain.

2. The growth of plants grown from seeds is very slow.

 2. By Rhizomes – The best method of propagation for increasing the number of banana plants is to plant rhizomes. By cutting pieces of mature rhizomes larger than 15 cm and planting them separately, a new plant is born from each piece. Tests have shown that by planting rhizomes smaller than 15 cm, new plants are usually not formed, because the required food for their formation is not available.

The following are the advantages of this method-

1. In this, the plants grow quickly.

2. Parental qualities remain present in the plants.

3. They do not have to be grown in the nursery first like seeds.

4. The plants become healthy and attractive.

How to Grow Canna Lily Bulbs

 Climate - Canna is a tropical or subtropical plant, so it cannot be cultivated in places where the temperature is very low. For its successful cultivation, 40.8-52.0 degree temperature is considered best. Areas which receive 100-125 cm annual rainfall are suitable for growing kale. It can be grown in lower places of the mountains if there is proper arrangement to protect it from frost.

 Soil - Canna is grown in different types of soil. Sandy loam soil with proper drainage is considered best for it. Open sunlight is essential for kale. Hence, it should not be grown in shady places. Partial shade also adversely affects its flowering system and sunlight properties. Hence, kale should be grown only in open fields with sunlight.

 Preparation of Soil - Preparation of soil is of great importance for getting high yield of Canna. Hence, prepare the soil in such a way that the soil becomes friable. Prepare the soil in the following manner--

The soil of the beds should be dug 50-60 cm deep and should be left open for about a week. Break the clods and make them friable and then level the soil. Spread a 15 cm thick layer of semi-rotted cow dung over the bed and mix it well with the soil. The beds should be kept slightly high in the middle.

 Planting of Rhizomes - The flower stems should be cut from the pieces of rhizomes. Then they should be planted on beds at a distance of 60x60 cm. Irrigation should be done after planting the rhizomes. If leaves are also attached to the rhizomes, then initially they should be covered with straw etc. for a few days, so that they can be protected from direct sunlight. In areas where there is heavy rainfall, to make proper arrangement of air circulation, the soil should be dug deep towards the end of summer season and left open for a week. During this time, the banana plants should be taken out from the beds and kept safe under a shady tree. One week after the end of rains, these plants should be planted again in the beds.

How to Plant Canna Lily Bulbs

The Canna plants can be planted in pots. Plants should be planted in pots and kept in the sun. Since the plants are quite big in it. Therefore, big pots should be used for planting them. A 5 cm layer of brick pieces should be placed at the bottom of the pots and a mixture of soil and cow dung manure should be made on top of it. Planting of plants in pots can be done from June to September. When the plants in the pots become dense, they should be thinned out.

Canna plants are also grown for exhibition, in that case the plants should be planted in pots of 35-45 cm diameter. For this, a mixture of soil and cow dung manure in the ratio of 1:1 should be used. Once the plant is removed from the pot and the extra branches are thinned out, it should be replanted in the pots.

 Irrigation - It is very important to irrigate Canna at the right time. Its plants require more water because there is more evapo-transpiration from its broad leaves. Irrigation should be done at an interval of 2-3 days in summer and 10-12 days in winter. If there is no rain for a long time in the rainy season, then in that situation keep irrigating as per need.

 Weed Control – Many weeds grow along with the Canna plants, which adversely affect the growth of the plants and the size of the flowers. Therefore, sometimes light weeding should be done in the beds. Weeding also helps in the development of roots, which also leads to good growth of the plants. After the flowers dry up, the flower stalk should be cut.

 Fertilizer - How much amount of nutrients should be given to the plant depends on whether the soil is sandy or heavy. Apart from this, the amount of nutrients depends on the weather. If a large amount of fertilizer is not added while planting the rhizomes in the beds, then while replanting them for the first time, cow dung manure should be added at the rate of 20 cubic feet per 60 square feet and mixed well in the soil. Later, when the rainy season ends, half of this amount should be added again. At the end of autumn also, 10 cubic feet should be added to the soil at the rate of per 60 square feet. 2 parts potassium sulphate and 5 parts ammonium phosphate can also be given by mixing them with cow dung manure. These fertilizers should be given three times a year at the rate of 2 ounces per cubic foot of land.

How do You Plant Canna Lilies

To get good sized flowers, a mixture of 200 kg urea, 400 kg single super phosphate and 100 kg muriate of potash should be applied per hectare every year. Half the quantity of the above mixture should be sprinkled on the soil in September and mixed well.

Plant Protection measures – Canna plants are attacked by some insects and diseases. Therefore, necessary plant protection measures should be taken to prevent them.

 Insects - Grasshoppers cause a lot of damage to the tender leaves of Canna and make small holes in them. Due to which the beauty of the leaves is adversely affected.

To prevent this, 0.2% insecticide called Thiodan should be sprayed.

Diseases - Canna is affected by fungal and viral diseases which need to be prevented.

Blight - Blight disease affects Canna , due to which brown spots appear on the leaves.

To prevent this disease, 0.2% Dithane M-45 fungicide should be sprayed again.

Virus disease - Virus disease also affects Canna, due to which the leaves shrink and look unhealthy.

The best way to prevent this is to uproot the infected plants and burn them, so that the disease does not spread further.

Pruning - Canna does not require any special pruning. When the plants are growing, the dry leaves should be cut from the plants. The branches that have flowered should be cut and separated from the plants. This process is called Mattocking.