How Do I Winterize Canna Lily Bulbs?
The canna lily (Canna generalis) grows from a thick rhizome and produces broad green, bronze, purple or red leaves, depending on the variety, and brightly colored flowers of orange, red or yellow. They are generally low-maintenance plants that only require a sunny, well-drained location enriched with organic matter to thrive. While drought tolerant, canna lilies grow best if watered deeply once a week during the warmest part of the summer. Canna lilies die to the ground in winter, but in areas colder than USDA horticultural zone 8, the rhizomes need to be dug and stored until spring.
Allow the foliage of the canna lilies to die back after the first frost. Dig the rhizomes when the foliage has turned brown and dried.
Dig up the rhizomes with a shovel. Begin digging about 6 inches from the plant to ensure you dig up the entire rhizomes and they are not damaged in process. Cutting or bruising the rhizomes allows fungus and mildew to enter the wounded area. Mildew or fungus can kill the rhizome during storage. The rhizomes will come out of the ground as clumps. Do not pull the clumps apart as damage can result. Cut off the foliage with sharp garden shears and discard.
- Allow the foliage of the canna lilies to die back after the first frost.
- Mildew or fungus can kill the rhizome during storage.
Wash the clumps and rhizomes with a strong spray of water, rinsing off as much dirt as possible. Some of the rhizomes will separate from the others with gentle handling during the washing process.
Dry, or cure, the rhizomes for three days in a warm (60 or 70 degree F) dry location. Spread them over a flat surface. Turn the rhizomes over after 24 or 48 hours to be sure they dry on all sides.
Store in a dry cardboard box filled with vermiculite. The rhizomes should be completely surrounded by dry vermiculite, so spread vermiculite on the bottom of the box before adding the rhizomes. The storage temperature should be 40 to 50 degrees F. Replant in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
- Wash the clumps and rhizomes with a strong spray of water, rinsing off as much dirt as possible.
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Writer Bio
Jay Golberg is a certified Texas nursery professional and professional project manager. He has 30 years of business and farming experience and holds bachelor's degrees in English writing from St. Edward's University and finance from Lamar University.
