Hibernating Indian flower reeds: this is how it works!

The beguiling beauty of a canna is hard to resist. The invitation to the home garden is quickly pronounced. She will soon be taking out her large, brightly colored flowers as a present. As long as the sun is there, everything is fine. In the local winter cold, on the other hand, nothing works anymore. It robs this exotic of the last breath of life. Is it really time to say goodbye for good? Or can we somehow keep the Indian flower tube warm?

Hardiness

The Indian flower tube is extremely sensitive to cold. On its continent of origin, South America, there is never an encounter with frost. In this country, however, it is a real problem that the Canna indica does not even have a trace of winter hardiness. With us, the visible parts of the plant wither in late autumn. The decisive factor, however, are the rhizomes, which absorb all the power. These have more distance to the cold in the earth. With an insulating cover, they can withstand temperatures down to -10 ° C. It is safer to move inside, where the canna indica can overwinter unscathed by the weather.

Is it worth wintering?

The Indian flower tube can be bought and replanted every year. We don't have to wait long for its beautiful flowers. Why is wintering even worth it? There are a few reasons for this:

• the winter maintenance effort is low
• Cost savings as no new purchase is necessary
• Canna indica becomes stronger and more beautiful over the years
• Propagation possible by dividing the rhizomes

The rhizome can be up to 60 cm long. The better the Indian flower tube was supplied with during the growing season, the stronger and more vital is its base below the surface of the earth. This is the best starting point for successfully wintering these magical South Americans.

Hibernation time

The wintering season of this flower does not start on a specific calendar day. The prevailing autumn weather can be different every year and significantly influences the course of the vegetation of this plant. The canna itself sets the pace for preparation for winter.

• do not overwinter too hastily
• enjoy the flowering of the Canna indica until the end of October
• wait until the leaves have turned orange-brown
• only then is it time to prepare for hibernation

Winter storage: instructions

preparation

Prepare the canna for winter quarters

After the Canna indica has shifted all its power from the green leaves to the rhizomes (ground sprouts) in late autumn, its outdoor season is over. Now she is allowed to move to frost-free winter quarters. The plant must first be properly prepared for the winter rest phase.

• At the beginning of November, shorten all shoots to about 5-10 cm
• Carefully dig the rhizome out of the earth with a digging fork, roots should remain undamaged if possible
• Completely remove soil from Canna, rinse with lukewarm water or use a small paintbrush
• Cut off rotten roots, use a sharp and disinfected knife
• Disinfect any cuts with coal ash
• Also remove dead and dried out hair roots
• Let the prepared rhizomes dry, spread them out in an airy and shady place for a few days, Lattice as a base brings sufficient air to the roots from all sides and leaves them evenly dry on

tip: If the Indian flower tube has felt comfortable in summer, hold a well-grown and numerous branched rhizome in your hand in autumn. By dividing you can provide for new plants.

Suitable winter quarters

In their winter quarters, the rhizomes need protection from freezing temperatures in order not to freeze to death. At the same time, however, it must not be too warm, otherwise they will sprout prematurely.

• Store Indian flower tubes in a frost-free place
• Ideally, room temperature is 10 ° C
• it should never be warmer than 15 ° C
• do not store near the heater
• the room should be dry and dark
• dark basement is optimal
• also attic or storage room
• provided they are dark and frost-free

Hibernate rhizomes

Hibernate rhizomes "naked"

The cleaned, cut and then well dried rhizomes can be stored until spring without a covering layer of soil. They are simply wrapped in a few layers of newspaper and placed in a suitable room for the winter. The rhizomes can return to the garden in mid-May, where they will start the new season with fresh shoots.

tip: Glossy paper is not suitable for wrapping the root pieces. Use only normal newspaper for your canna.

Hibernate rhizomes in a pot

The root pieces can also overwinter in a pot. However, this is not the actual planting. Instead of earth, they become with dry sand, straw or Sawdust covered. With regard to the winter quarters, the same requirements apply as for the wintering of "naked" rhizomes. The roots need to be replanted in spring. This time right, in nutrient-rich soil where they can grow and thrive. This can be in a large bucket or directly in the open air.

Hibernate potted plants

Indian flower tube growing in a flower pot can also be dug up for wintering. But it doesn't have to be. The following wintering method can be used here:

• Cut off anything above ground up to 10 cm
• Leave rhizomes in the soil
• Put the bucket in the winter quarters
• moisten occasionally
• in spring the rhizome must be taken out
• only then is it cleaned, divided and replanted

The last two points are important because they have an impact on the further development of the Canna indica. Leaving the rhizome in its old state saves time, but will soon complain of a lack of vigor and sparse flowering.

Winter outside

Whenever possible, the Indian flower tube should be overwintered in a suitable room. Staying outdoors all year round should be absolute exception be. This wintering method only has a chance at all in mild regions of the country. But even there there is no guarantee of survival. After all, in addition to temperature, the resistance of the plant itself is also an important influencing factor.

• wait with protective measures
• first the above-ground parts of the canna indica have to wither
• then prune back in early November
• approx. 10 cm above the floor
• cover the entire root disc 15 to 20 cm high
• with leaves, brushwood, straw or pine fronds
• Gravel and stones are not suitable
• Cover in spring when the frost season is over

Care in winter

Even if the rhizomes have found their ideal winter hotel, this cannot protect them from all dangers. If the humidity gets a bit too high, rot can spread quickly.

• Check rhizomes regularly
• brown spots are a sign of rot
• Cut out rotten spots
• use a clean and sharp knife
• beyond that there is no need for care
• neither water nor fertilize

On the other hand, even if moisture is a major problem, the roots must not dry out completely. If the air is very dry, you should occasionally use a spray bottle and lightly wet the rhizomes with water.

End of wintering

When the frost passes, the canna's vegetation phase can start. Then it is usually already middle of May. The prevailing outside temperatures are quite digestible for the flowers. But at this point there is nothing to be seen of flower buds. First the shoots and the green foliage have to sprout. Fortunately, you can help here and enjoy the wonderful flowers even earlier. For this it is necessary to end the hibernation earlier.

• Rhizomes can be driven well
• start in March
• Get roots out of the winter quarters
• plant in pots with sand and deciduous compost (mixing ratio 4: 1)
• do not insert too deep, just cover it
• choose a new location
• Light and warmth are important now

The optimal care during the driving is based on the plant growth. At first, there is only a little watering until the first shoots appear. After that, maintenance is as follows:

• the stronger the Indian flower tube grows, the more often water it
• fertilize every 14 days

May is the right month to replant the canna after it has been slowly accustomed to full sun for about 14 days. Advancing gives the flower a head start of several weeks.