However, we are now asking why we have experienced such little growth. A month after planting outside in well fertilized beds, we can see little new growth. The plants that were blazing away inside the polytunnel have gone on strike! A few have started new stems, and a few have produced some very weak flowers, but no real growth.
During the month of June we had some good days for sunlight, the watering was intensive, the plants have been dosed with seaweed fertilizer, both liquid and solid and they have had one dose of Miracle-Gro. Perhaps we have given the Cannas an environment that is too nutritious? Unheard of, this is a plant used in sewage schemes because of its ability to thrive in such circumstances and is renowned as a hungry feeder!
In my experience, and that of some nurserymen I know who grow cannas, they do not get into serious growth until minimum night-time temperatures are consistently 10C or above, virtually irrespective of how warm the days. Growth is modest or non-existent if minima at nights are regularly below 8C. So far this year, night-time minimum temperatures from May here in Norwich, England have been variable and often below 8C.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick,
ReplyDeleteI used your response as the subject of the next article.
Many thanks, a great bit of observation, so obvious, but not until its spelt out!