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Expert: Long Island Gardener - 11/28/2006


Question
How do you winterize cannas bulbs?

We live in Southern New Jersey, I don't know what the zone is.  

Answer
FYI Southern Jersey is Zone 7, if you're on the coast.  Deep, deep inland and west, it may drop to Zone 6.  It's just good to know this when you need to.  And now you have those numbers.

Cannas are tender perennials, and won't survive the winter, as you suggest.  You'll either have to dig them up and bring them indoors in their pots, or move south.

The first kiss of frost will blacken Canna leaves.  I am assuming this has already taken place.  Dig them up and bring them indoors, then remove any dead or dying leaves, and dust off the garden soil.

The standard storage routine involves burying them in sand or vermiculite for the 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.

Store them through the winter in a cool (but not frozen)basement or garage.  The temperature must NEVER reach 32 degrees F - if it does, your Cannas will be kaput.

Monitor for new growth and in the late spring, after all possible chance of frost has passed, take them back outside to your garden and plant as usual.

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Expertise

Growing Tulips? Dahlias? Daffodils? Gladiolus? It doesn't get easier than bulbs and tubers. Once in a while, something goes wrong: The dreaded Narcissus Bulb Fly, which resembles a honeybee. Mosaic virus, which can ignite a field of tulips in a single season. Nematodes, lurking underground. Here on the North Shore of Long Island, the garden is full of surprises. If you live in the Northeast/Atlantic Coast, I can help you pick the right bulb for every season, indoors and out, and help you fertilize, bloom and harvest for home or work. How: I have degrees in related fields, but my best understanding is all learned from trial and error. For most of my 53 years I have been gardening somewhere. No matter what the problem, I've learned the best answers are always Organic -- Earth friendly, less expensive, healthier for people and pets, easier and cleaner than toxic liquids and powders that big chemical companies sell so smoothly.

Experience

Besides degrees in related fields, and a few favorite horticultural societies, I work as a docent at our local botanical gardens -- but it's the years of work in the garden that's the real test.

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