Canna lilies are tropical plants known for their large, colorful blooms and attractive foliage. While they thrive outdoors in warm climates, starting canna bulbs indoors allows gardeners in cooler areas to get a head start on the growing season. This gives the bulbs time to sprout and develop before planting outside after the danger of frost has passed. With proper care and conditions, canna bulbs started indoors will reward you with earlier and more abundant blooms.
Choosing Healthy Bulbs
The first step is selecting quality bulbs Look for large rhizomes free of rot, mold, or damage. Each bulb should have visible growth points or “eyes” where new shoots will emerge. These eyes are typically reddish bumps on the rhizome surface. More eyes mean more potential shoots and flowers.
Canna lilies come in a diverse range of colors, heights, and bloom shapes. Popular varieties for starting indoors include ‘Tropicanna’, ‘Australia’, ‘Erebus’, and ‘Ra’ dwarf cultivars. Choose types suitable for your climate and garden space.
Providing the Right Potting Mix
Cannas need a fertile, well-draining potting mix to sprout and grow their best. A good starter mix contains
- High-quality potting soil to retain some moisture
- Perlite or vermiculite for drainage
- Compost for nutrients
You can create your own mix by combining equal parts potting soil, compost, perlite, and optionally horticultural sand. For store-bought mixes, look for ones formulated for tropical plants or vegetables. The ideal pH range is 6.0-7.0.
Planting the Rhizomes
Fill containers at least 6 inches deep with moistened potting mix. Shallow pots restrict root and rhizome growth. For each bulb, make a furrow about 2 inches deep and place the rhizome flat on its side. Position it so the eyes point upward. Cover gently with 1-2 inches of soil.
Spacing the bulbs 2-3 inches apart allows room for growth. Planting too deep inhibits sprouting. After planting, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. This eliminates air pockets and settles the soil.
Providing Warmth and Light
Cannas thrive in warm conditions around 70-80°F. Maintain this temperature range until sprouts emerge. Placing pots on a heat mat or above a radiator works well. Once shoots appear, move to a sunny window or under grow lights.
The young sprouts need 12-14 hours of bright light daily. Turn pots regularly so growth stays even on all sides. Insufficient light results in weak, floppy growth. Supplement with fluorescent or LED grow lights if needed.
Watering and Fertilizing
Check soil moisture daily and water when the surface starts to dry out. Taking care not to overwater prevents rot and disease. Allow excess water to drain fully from the container bottom before returning to the saucer.
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks following label instructions. Alternatively, use controlled-release fertilizer pellets blended into the soil mix. Watch for signs of nutrient deficiency and adjust your regimen accordingly.
Transplanting Outdoors
Once the threat of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach 60°F, it’s time to move sprouted canna plants outside. Harden them off first by setting pots outdoors in partial shade for a few days. Then transplant each sprout into a garden bed or larger container, taking care not to damage the roots. Mix in some starter fertilizer to give transplants a boost in their new home.
Provide plentiful water, fertilizer, and sun during the first few weeks. Stake tall varieties if needed. Then relax and enjoy the exceptional blooms and foliage from your head start bulbs! With this simple process, you can bring the tropical flair of canna lilies to your garden weeks earlier.
Troubleshooting Issues
- Sprouts emerging weak and spindly – Insufficient light, increase exposure
- No sprouts several weeks after planting – Soil too cold, maintain 70°F+ temperature
- Bulbs rotting – Overwatering, allow soil to partially dry between waterings
- Yellowing leaves – Nutrient deficiency, fertilize more frequently
- Pests – Fungus gnats, aphids, treat promptly to prevent spreading
Starting canna bulbs indoors extends your enjoyment of these exotic beauties. Select plump bulbs with visible eyes and plant in quality potting soil in warm conditions. Keep soil moist, provide ample light and nutrients, and transplant outside after the danger of frost. With proper care while sprouting indoors, your cannas will reward you with vigorous early growth and spectacular blooms.
Easy Method for Starting Cannas Early for Bigger Plants and More Flowers
FAQ
Do I soak canna bulbs before planting?
How to wake up canna bulbs indoors?
How do you get canna bulbs to sprout?
When should I start my Canna Lily bulbs?
How to start Canna bulbs indoors?
Starting canna bulbs indoors can lead to a flourishing garden. Choosing the right container and soil plays a huge role in the process. When it comes to selecting the correct container, it should be at least 6 inches deep. The soil you pick should be nutrient-rich and well-draining.
How does a Canna bulb grow?
Canna bulbs, while often referred to as bulbs, are actually propagated below the soil through rhizomes, which are underground stems. Instead of growing from a bulb, they grow from these rhizomes. In the north, start rhizomes indoors about six weeks before your last frost in pots of good, rich potting soil.
How do you grow a Canna bulb in a pot?
Tamp the soil down gently around the canna bulb as you add it to the pot. Place the pot in a sink and fill the pot with water. Wait for the excess water to drain out the pot’s bottom holes. Fill the pot with water once or twice more to ensure that the soil is evenly moistened.
How do you grow canna plants inside your home?
Mix compost, sand and perlite in equal parts, and fill the pot halfway. Also, place the bulbs in the soil with the pointed side facing up. Additionally, make sure the bulbs are spaced at least 2 inches apart, and only cover them with 1-2 inches of soil. With these tips and tricks, growing canna plants inside your home has never been simpler!