Preserve cannas indoors

Q. Can I leave my canna bulbs in the ground and just cover them in a thick layer of mulch?

Donna from Sebring

A. Unfortunately, you cannot. Cannas are a perennial in zones 7-10 – that’s more like Alabama to southern Florida.

Cannas cannot survive when the ground freezes here in the Mahoning Valley. At my house, the mulch was frozen to the ground during the cold snap. If your cannas are still in the ground, their roots froze and will be mushy before you know it.

Additionally, cannas are susceptible to wildlife damage just as many of our perennial bulbs are during the winter and spring months. The roots of cannas are actually rhizomes. Canna rhizomes are even more susceptible to wildlife damage because they are often exposed at the soil surface. We’ve seen squirrels digging them up and taking them off in our yard when other food supplies are low.

For the rhizomes that may have survived the hard freeze, lift them out of the ground by using a garden or spading fork. Separate out any rhizomes that are soft or spongy. Discard these or put them in the compost pile. Leave the rhizomes in clumps, allowing them to dry out for a few days. Place them in something breathable – like a mesh bag or spaced out in an open container. Store them in a cool, dry location. The garage is not a suitable location. Your basement is a good choice, if the humidity is low.

Check on the rhizomes through the winter to ensure they are firm. Discard any rhizomes that turn soft during storage.

You can get an early start next spring by potting these up in early April. Divide the clumps, making sure there is at least one eye on each piece you break off. Let the pieces dry for 2-3 days before planting. Keep them in the house as they emerge or put them outside. Just remember to protect them from frost. They should be transplanted after the threat of frost has passed.

To learn more about cannas, go to http://go.osu.edu/cannas.

Eric Barrett is OSU Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Mahoning County. Call the office hot line at 330-533-5538 to submit your questions. Regular clinic hours are over for the growing season, but you can still call and submit questions. Hours vary throughout the winter season.