Re: Canna tubers was: tolerance of lack of same/ alone

Well, Cathy, that reminds me of the year I spent hours washing Canna
tubers in about that same temperature...I agree; NEVER again.  Now, I
just dig them and leave whatever soil I can't just shake off on
them...seem to have less loss of tuber over winter that way.  Just
heap them in something (currently in a huge old washtub) and shove
them in a corner of the garage.  Periodically over winter give them a
spritz of water so they don't totally dry out.  In spring, when they
show signs of growth, I sort them out and (if they are lucky) pot
them up.  If they are not lucky, they just sit there putting forth
pale growth until I can get them outside and in the ground.  Cannas
are pretty tough; only thing they really can't take is freezing
temps.  

In the past, when I carefully washed and dried and stored them in
perlite or vermiculite, I had major loss from desiccation or assorted
dry rots.  I am NOT good at opening up boxes to check on stuff; if it
ain't under my nose, it does not exist:-)

So, next year, just haul out the baskets, haul them to the garage or
basement or wherever and let them dry a bit.  Then shake out the
plants or not as you choose.  I also winter over bunches of Canna
that I grow in pots by simply bringing in the pots.  Some of them
keep growing in the garage and some don't.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@hort.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: cathy carpenter <cathyc@rnet.com>
> 
> Wish I could have put the canna tubers in the washing machine. DH 
> wanted me to separate and dry his variegated canna tubers (growing
in a 
> plastic basket in the pond) in an attempt to overwinter them
dormant. 
> Picture me, in the driveway, temperature in the low 40's, first
cutting 
> away the basket, then pulling away wet clay and pebbles from the
roots 
> with my hands, followed by a vigorous hosing away of the rest. Then
had 
> to separate the individual tubers with brute strength and set them 
> aside to dry. Finally had to clean up the mess in the driveway.
Whole 
> process took me 2 hours. Never again. Don't care if he did spend
$30.00 
> for the original tuber!
> Cathy

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