Expert: Long Island Gardener - 7/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: I recently received some bulbs form an aquaintance, but I am not sure when or where to plant them or how to care for them.  I really need your help b/c I need to get the canna in the ground soon.  They were taken from someone's yard, so they have leaves on them.   

I live in zone 6 - St. Louis, MO to be exact. Can you tell me where to plant these bulbs (sun, shade, or inside), what time of the year to plant these bulbs, and if these bulbs need to come inside for the winter months?

Here is a list of bulbs I have:
1. dwarf gladiolous
2. flowering song gladiolus
3. amaryllis - these are mature bulbs, they have leaves on them that have been cut back
4. Gingerland caladium
5. richard wallace canna - I know that you are suppose to bring canna in for the winter but if I put these close to the house under landscaping rock will it stay warm enough over the winter?

ANSWER: The Caladium is a SHADE plant that will burn in the sun like a Redhead from Ireland.  All others should be planted in the sunniest position you can find.

Now let's get to the details.

Cannas are TENDER perennials -- which as a general rule means Cannas do NOT have what it takes to survive a Winter where it gets cold enough to make water freeze.  Yes, there are tricks of the trade to dance around the laws of Nature.  But almost always, if you push this envelope, you'll lose your Cannas.

But they are perennial.  The first kiss of frost will blacken the leaves.  When you reach that point, dig them up and bring them indoors.  Then remove any dead or dying leaves, and dust off the garden soil.  Standard storage routine involves burying them in sand or vermiculite for Winter.  Not too deep -- the crown should just peek through the sand.  Spray the container with water from time to time to keep them from drying out completely.  This is the same procedure you would use to hold over Dahlias, just in case you have been there and done that before.

Store the Cannas cool (but not frozen).  That could be your basement or a garage that doesn't get too cold.  The temperature must NEVER reach 32 degrees F; if it does, just once, your Cannas will be kaput.

Monitor them for new growth beginning in Early Spring.  By late Spring, after all possible chance of frost has passed, you can take them back outside to your garden and plant in the usual sunny position.

Your Caladiums and Gladiolus bulbs are also tender.  Go through the same routine with these.  Dust them, don't wash them; they need to be kept dry.

The Amaryllis should be potted, one to a 5 or 6 inch pot, and grown in full Sun right now.  They peek through the top of the Soil when you do this right.  Use a pot that is one size smaller than the one you think they should go in.  The sides if the pot should not hit the edge of the bulb, but there should not be much more space around it.  Rich Soil is best.

It sounds like these are actively growing right now.  Water them. Then let the Soil dry out until you water again.  If the leaves die back, hold off further watering, and let the pot dry out.  Then for the next 3 months, check the pot now and then to see if there are any signs of life.

When you finally do see these things rise from the dead (which may happen at different times), move them to a Sunny window and start watering them again.  Don't repot for at least 3 seasons; these bulbs don't like to be moved.

The Gladiolus MIGHT make it through a warm Winter in your region next to the foundation.  But Zone 6 is pushing it when you're dealing with a Zone 8 plant.  A lot depends on the weather, and as you probably have noticed, the weather is out of left field these days.  Snow in California.  Tornados in Atlanta.  What next?

Bear in mind that this is ALL a learning experience.  You know how they say Doctors 'practice' medicine?  Lawyers 'practice' law?  Gardeners 'practice' gardening.  You never, never finish learning this subject.  It's like getting to Carnegie Hall.  You practice, practice, practice.  Every mistake is a learning experience...  AND a real Gardener has killed HUNDREDS of plants.  There's no such thing as failure.  You practice, and you learn.  This, my friend, is the only way to get a Green Thumb.  Thanks for writing.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So should I wait to plant the Caladiums and Gladiolus bulbs next spring or should I plant them now?

Answer
Full instructions on growing Caladiums are posted here:

www.helium.com/items/1109219-caladium-florida-low-light-soil-peatmoss

and for Gladiolus look here:

www.floridata.com/ref/G/glad_spp.cfm

These bulbs must be planted asap, as holding them over a full season is like asking you to hold your breath an extra year.  Grow them; then respond as they begin to go dormant on schedule with the usual routine.

Thank you for writing!

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER