canna plants

I planted them in multipurpose compost last year, they came up but have not flowered. The same has happened this year. I have fed them some tomato food to try and encourage them but to no avail. Anybody grown these plants before? It's stem is a modified leaf.

 

Hello flowerpotty.

I grow Cannas but because of my location, the situation is different so I'm afraid I cannot be of much assistance. However, I'm sure one of our knowledgeable UK based Canna fans will come along shortly and advise you.

 

Hi Flowerpotty, I have a couple of Cannas, one's still young, so i didn't expect Flowers this year but my older orange one has one flower head, yet to bloom :( Its really cold here up North so it probably wont flower now :( as a bonus tho the leaves are huge

 

Oh, Cutie, that looks lovely. If that bloom does open ... may I please, please, please have an orange seed .... I have a couple of rose coloured and peach coloured ones with you name on them ....:luv:

 

Of course you can LoL... When can i collect the seeds? :p

 

After the flower has bloomed and you get a fuzzy little seed pod .... which sadly may not happen with you.:( Maybe I could have a sliver of the root ..... :thumb:

 

There is a virus of cannas that is pretty prevalent at the moment.

As far as I know it causes faint striping of the leaves and the plants tend not to flower very well.

I got rid of all my cannas about three years ago, and I had a reasonable collection of named varieties, due to the virus.


Bought a couple of cheapies this year, and they look like they were infected when I bought them.

Flowerpotty, not saying that is the problem, but it could be a possibility.

 

Hi, pete

I've read a lot about this virus and it's sadly worldwide and has been for many years and breeders and garden centers are ignoring the implications of it, which I find very sad.

I know mine are viral free as I've had them for years (although I was suspicious with one, a yellow with strange blotches, which doesn't seed). My rose-coloured and peach-coloured ones are to die for and are the only two I get seeds from, although very few and these are the ones I have offered to GC folk.

I want more plants but am skeptical about buying them because of this disease as like there ouo plants come from Holland. I'm secretly looking in the Council gardens for possible seed pods falling into my hands .... cough, cough ....

 

Ok LoL. Ill be lifting before the frost and you certainly can have a sliver or two.. U can let me know HOW :D

Pete, Bearer of good News as always :D Now I wont sleep tonight :luv:

 

I'm not sure, but I dont think plant viruses are passed on by seed, only vegetively.

Insects can pass the virus from one plant to another, so just not buying anymore will not really protect your plants.
This is how I think I got the problem into my plants.

There are suppliers that sell stock gauranteed virus free, I think

http://www.hartcanna.com/catalog.htm

 

Maybe we're talking at odds here, pete .....

I'm saying my seeds are 'safe' but that roots are not ..... and nurseries / garden centers are selling rooted specimens .... even knowing they are infected .... criminal in my opinion.

 

No, we are saying the same thing.

 

As i said I bought a new one this year, should I bin it?

 

Never, pete ..... whoa .... :thumb:

Just saw your post, Cutie, I'd say no unless you had yellow virus lines on the leaves ... agree, pete?

 

Dee, I wouldn't know what to say, but if the leaves look how they should, its probably OK.

Must have a google on "canna virus" and see if there is any pics.