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Canna Tubers

Market BoyMarket Boy Posts: 101
in Plants
Hi All
Last year I lost all of my Canna Tubers. I purchased new tubers and these were great. I lifted them washed them and left them to dry. I stored them in a box in the garage on a bed of newspaper with a covering of newspaper.
I have had a look at them and some have small areas with white mould on them. It comes off if I brush it with a paintbrush. Will they be OK or should I cut the mouldy area out.
Its not as bad as last year but any advice would be appreciated.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's a bit like dahlias - if they're soft and squishy they aren't viable. If the mould spreads, the whole thing will go. 

    They're best kept in pots of quite dry compost, but need to be in a reliably frost free environment too. I have to keep them in the house if I grow them, as I did in a previous property. I don't have a porch or conservatory at this one, and that's how I kept them in another property when I grew them there, as it was reliable for them. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Market BoyMarket Boy Posts: 101
    Hi Fairygirl. they are not squishy at all. They are firm and good. But just have a slight dusting of this mould in a few places.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Thay might be ok then @Market Boy, especially if the mould comes off when you brush them. If you have a photo, that could help with further advice for those who grow them regularly.  :)
    The main problem with using paper or card is that any dampness in the air gets absorbed by it, and that passes to the tubers. That's the problem I have here, so it's really only the house that they can go in. The atmosphere is too damp for too long, and garages can often be damp depending on their site.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • HumberBoyHumberBoy Posts: 27
    Mmm.  OK thanks. I will cut out the damaged or mouldy bit so that I am left with some
    of the tuber with the buds on and see what happens. I think next year I will leave them in the ground and protect them from frosts.
    Thanks for your replies.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I have always lifted mine, potted them up and kept them in the porch, just very slightly damp. It has worked well for the last 30 years, I have very few losses.
    Unless you are in a warmer area, with free draining soil, I don't think leaving them in the ground is a good idea.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    I'm going off at a tangent here, I hope you don't mind, have you ever grown the shorter cannas  @punkdoc? I haven't grown cannas for years and it can be very windy on our hill and I just wondered if the shorter varieties performed as well as the taller ones.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Sorry, @floralies, I only grow tall varieties.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    Thanks @punkdoc I will give them a go and see how they perform.
  • Market BoyMarket Boy Posts: 101
    Thanks for your comments. I will take them all on board and let you know how I get on with the tubers this year.
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