Re: Hot water on Cannas [longish]

>I started using hot water on my Canna roots a few years ago. I had purchased
>and planted them in early april, a month early at least. When they didn't even
>try to sprout [I dug one up], I decided the problem was soil temp. <big Snip>
>Does anyone else use hot water on dormant plants?

Have you considered using a either (or both) :
Mounding the soil where they are planted or a raised bed.  Exposing the
'column' of soil will raise it's temperature much earlier than a 'flat'
soil profile.
and/or
Using a double layer of clear plastic (mulch) with an air space between the
layers (separating the layers with rocks or 2X4s, etc.).  This will deeply
warm the soil quickly and considerably.

We have successfully used both of the above methods to warm our cool
vegetable garden soil for tomatoes and peppers, which want very warm soil
for their roots to function properly.  This should work well for the cannas
(or dahlias etc.) as well.

If you do use the plastic method, be sure that you remove it when the
cannas start to emerge from the soil.  If you want to continue to help the
plants get an early start, you could use white plastic row tunnel covers.
Ugly, but very effective at getting a jump start.  We usually leave the
tunnels on until early June (our last frost date is mid May).  By getting
the plants growing early you achieve geometric growth advance on the
season, and the rewards are well worth the effort.

Also: For your verbenas and the like, try amending your soil where they are
planted with perlite (or the like) to add drainage.  We have found winter
hardiness is greatly improved with more 'scree' like conditions.  The
perlite seems to retain enough water in its nooks and crannies to keep the
plants happy, as well as being nice and light for the roots.

Bill & Harvey
SKID Plants  Zone 6  CT  USA

PS: It is always helpful to put one's USDA Zone and geographical area in
the post (or signature).


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