Missed the solstice!

The winter solstice occurs at the instant when the Sun's position in the sky is at its greatest angular distance on the other side of the equatorial plane from the observer. Depending on the shift of the calendar, the event of the winter solstice occurs some time between December 20 and December 23 each year in the northern hemisphere, and between June 20 and June 23 in the southern hemisphere, during either the shortest day or the longest night of the year.

Anyway, I took my eye away for a moment and I missed the solstice. Those who read this blog regularly will know that I am always keen to know when the shortest day has arrived, so that I can start looking forward to Spring and Summer once again. It's all mental mind-play to save the winter blues taking over.

Although I missed it, it has definitely arrived and our days will now start getting longer! Yippee!

I have today finished moving all the cleaned and cut for-sale rhizomes into "flat" trays filled with peat compost, and moved them all into a shed with frost protection. This also makes me feel contented that the worst of the winter work is over and now we can relax a little until the time arrives in about two weeks time to start planting seeds!

Unfortunately, last winter we had two electricity cuts, which destroyed that year's crop! This year we have installed paraffin heaters to provide the main heating, supplemented by the fan heaters with frost controls. There are 105 trays for sale this year, but some only have a handful of rhizomes available, whilst the more vigorous, like Canna 'Musifolia Grande', have hundreds of rhizomes for resale.

That was the year that was - Malcolm

As we reach the end of the year, full of memories, some good and some bad, we can look forward with anticipation to what the next year will bring us. Gardening attracts those of a philosophical nature, and now that the winter solstice is past and the days are now starting to lengthen again we can start planning next years garden.

La Rochelle in France, harbour and promenade

But we should not forget the lessons we have learnt from the dreadful weather suffered in Europe this summer. Global warming means a turbulent weather pattern, with each year being different from the last. The summer flooding, with clouds everyday, meant that our Cannas were deprived of much light and although they rallied in the autumn, it was still the worst year for Canna that we have experienced. However, we were lucky compared with many others, who had their plant stock destroyed.

This year we did not need to store water, but at Claines Canna we are still proceeding with installing a large storage tank at the highest point of the garden complemented by some small pumps to transfer rain water into the tank. The day will arrive when we will be in severe drought, and with the rapidly changing weather patterns that could be 2008.

A holiday in France meant we came back with many more Canna specimens, again!

Next year we have the International Canna Trials to look forward to, links at the foot of this article, and our thanks to all who have supported Keith, Christine and us in this effort, which will enhance the growing of Cannas considerably.

Canna 'Roi Humbert', grown for 100 years at the Nantes Park Department, France.

Finally, Margaret and I would like to thank all of our Canna friends for their continual kindnesses, sharing their gardening treasures and advice. The Canna world is still small, so let us all look forward with tolerance to enjoying our Canna friendships in 2008. May you all have a very happy and prosperous new year, and we look forward to seeing you at the Canna Trials in 2008.

Margaret and Malcolm Dalebö



Why not visit the Canna Trials in 2008?

Winter Solstice

The winter solstice occurs at 06:08 am GMT on the 22nd December this year. The Earth in the northern hemisphere lies cold and still, subdued by the harsh winter. Animals and insects are in hibernation, awaiting the return of the light and warmth - and often we feel like doing the same. Our Cannas are tucked up in winter storage, hopefully safe from the frosts.

Canna 'Breuil', an old Crozy favourite

That is the shortest day of the year. Animals react to the changing seasons with changes in mood, metabolism and behavior, and human beings are just the same. Those people who suffer most are being affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also called the "winter blues." The problem stems from the lack of bright light in winter. Researchers have proved that bright light makes a difference to the brain chemistry but why some people suffer and others don't is not clear.

Canna 'Baronne de Renowardy', another old Crozy cultivar

From now on the days will start lengthening, and while we in Europe normally have the most serious winter weather in January, the fact that we are seeing more light helps lift the "winter blues" as we look forward to Spring. As gardeners, this can also be a pleasant time for us, the seed and plant catalogues still provide hours of planning and expectation for what is to come. Sending out orders for new varieties and organising swaps with fellow enthusiasts starts to arouse the feeling of expectation.

Canna 'Alt Württemberg', a large Crozy Group cultivar from Wilhelm Pfitzer

Many plants are triggered by the circadian rhythm and daylight hours. Others seem to respond more to temperature and, in particular, to the absence of hard frost. Cannas are in the latter category, as they are under the soil, with nothing growing above, and not able to sense the length of day. However, in February the temperatures will start rising and as long as there is sufficient moisture then the old starch machines (my gentle nickname for Cannas) will slowly grind into action again.

Roll on, says me...