Back in the days of Peter I, in 1596, rhizomes of a previously unknown exotic plant were brought from the Antilles to the European continent. After planting them in a greenhouse, they gave fast-growing large-leafed shoots, and then large, asymmetric scarlet flowers.
This miracle is called Indian Kanna, which is common in the tropical regions of Asia and Africa, although South America is considered the birthplace of this species. On other continents, cannu is known as a crop. It can be eaten, because in some types of rhizomes contain about 30% starch.
In Europe, this plant is considered exclusively decorative. Canna, whose flowers look very impressive and elegant, will become an adornment of any garden to the delight of the gardener, but this requires considerable work. And if there is a desire to grow cannons in containers, then the garden will acquire an indescribable charm thanks to these bright elegant flowers.
Cannes by color of leaves are divided into green leaves, striped and red leaves with a bronze hue. There are varieties in which the leaves have a dark purple and black-purple color. Also, cannon leaves are so unusual and decorative that they are bred precisely for their beauty.
Canna, the flowers of which have a very varied coloring, for example, yellow, white, red, pink, variegated, begins to bloom shortly after it was planted in the ground. She needs comfortable conditions and her flowering will continue from July until the very frosts. The fruit of this plant looks like a box. He has large seeds, from light to black in brown.
Kanna - flowers that should be grown in a sheltered from the wind, bright and sunny place. These thermophilic plants like loose, humus-rich soil and, importantly, plentiful watering. From 5 to 24 degrees - this is the optimum temperature, so that the plant grows and develops.
Canna - flowers that are planted in the ground after passing frosts. Rhizomes need to be deepened by 15-20 cm - so they will be protected from drying out and wind. The distance between them should be from 50 cm to 75 cm. Plants need to be bored, thereby protecting the root neck from freezing, otherwise the canes will begin to rot during the wintering period. You should also make a hot litter at the bottom of the pit, thereby ensuring a more magnificent development of cannons. It is made from manure (thickness about 20 cm), and a layer of earth (20-25 cm) is poured over the litter.
The best time to wake up Cannes is the month of March. For this procedure, the rhizomes are cleaned from the ground, broken or cut into divisions with one to three buds, while sections are sprinkled with ash. After that, put in a loose moist substrate, which consists of peat and sawdust and moisturize from time to time.
If the rhizomes are bought too early, it is better not to store them, but immediately plant them treated with an antiseptic in a container and place it in a place for germination, which should be warm.
In order to extend the flowering period of cannas, it is necessary to remove flowers that have already faded so that fruits and seeds are not tied. Already at the first threat of frost, the stems of the cannons must be completely cut off, while leaving stumps 10-15 cm high, and gently rhizomes to dig out of the ground directly from the ground. Then they are transferred for the winter to a dry basement or to a cold greenhouse, or to a room with an air temperature of 5 to 12 degrees. And so that in the winter the rhizomes do not dry out, the earthen lump, without breaking, should be placed in a box or in another deep container.
When growing these wonderful flowers, gardeners are expected to attention, hard work, patience. And the canna, the care of which takes time, in the end will thank with a long and plentiful flowering and will become an adornment of any garden.