Bring canna back in fashion

Amarjeet Singh Batth

Like films and music, flowers too have certain classic beauties. These are the plants that almost everyone is familiar with. But this tag of commonness sometimes takes them away from the limelight that more rare and exotic plants are accorded. Canna is one such flowering plant. Though majestic and graceful, very few gardening enthusiasts actually seek it out and place it in their gardens. This is a pity as this flowering plant surely deserves a better treatment. Canna was patronised by the British and can still be seen embellishing gardens in British era buildings,  especially Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata. Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House and in front of North and South Blocks.  

Cannas are herbaceous perennial bulbous with rhizomatous root stock. The broad and flat alternate leaves grow from stem in a long narrow roll which unfurls like a magnificent piece of art. The leaves are typically green but a few cultivars have dark brown colour with streaked, bi-colours or variegated leaves. Canna bears showy flowers in the hues of red, scarlet, deep red, creme, yellow orange and yellow giving an impressive display of colour which lasts for a long period. It can be planted in a single colour bed or as a mixed colour bed.    

Positioning 

A sunny spot is the right place to plant a Canna. It requires about 6–8 hours sunlight during the day. Its pleasant looking dense foliage makes an excellent border option in the garden landscape. Modern Cannas are hybrids varying in size ranging between 45 and 100 cms. Tall cannas should be placed at the back of the flower bed or in front of a hedge. A few varieties are of medium height as well and can be planted in cluster with bulbs, daylilies and ornamental grasses. Dwarf varieties can be potted.  

Planting time 

It is planted in summer months in June-July and blooms in two flushes, Feb.- April and in Sept.-Dec.   

Distance between plants

Canna is planted by division of rhizomes. Dig the soil deep. Cut 2”-3” size small pieces of the rhizome and plant 7- 10 cms deep at a distance of 60 cms to 100 cms. 

Irrigation and fertilisers  

This plant loves moisture  and requires moist  but well-drained soil bed. Deep irrigation at regular intervals is preferred to frequent light irrigation. It is a heavy feeder and a good application of cow dung manure does wonders. Mix four kilos of farm yard manure  in one square meter along with bone meal in the bed while preparing the flower bed. A liquid dose of fertiliser during bloom is beneficial. 

Care and maintenance 

Hoeing and weeding must be done on a regular basis. In order to maintain its good appearance and form the faded flower (inflorescence) must be cut regularly at its base, which also maintains continuity in the bloom. Extreme climatic conditions in winters can damage the leaves. To save the plant from frost deep irrigation in  evening is a must. Application of 60 grams of urea and 30 grams potash per sq meter at the onset of pre monsoon is beneficial. Annual application of FYM in winters (Dec- Jan)  is desirable. Once the bloom is over, cut the stem above the ground. The rhizomes are pulled out in May with 10-15 cms of stem attached and kept in a cool, dry, dark place to be replanted from June onwards. The plant is not prone to any serious threat of pests and disease.