"Jim Schott" wrote in message
...
Here's a question about cannas: in SE Michigan, it's necessary to dig up
the tubers each fall and store them from the winter cold (about 50-60F).
In
the spring the tubers are replanted and the cycle repeats itself. My
question is whether skipping a season will render the cannas dead. I
basically ran out of time this spring and didn't plant my cannas. Does
anyone know if they will grow if I plant them next spring? Thanks!


There is some chance that they might grow. They tend to dry out in storage
and die. Even if it is very late, I plant mine just to rejuvenate them. I
have a couple of varieties that just started to bloom. Under normal
circumstances they bloom around July 4th. in my SW Ohio garden. At this
point you have few options (unless you have a greenhouse). I would sort
through them and discard any that are obviously dead. I would soak them to
re-hydrate, dry them, and repackage. You might check them every couple of
months and mist them if they seem dry. I find that it takes about 6 week for
them to develop roots and send up new leaves. So, about 6 weeks before the
last frost you can soak them for several hours, pot them, and let them
develop in your basement. They won't need any light until the leaves start
to unfold. After the last frost date just put them outside and then plant
them as you can. By potting them early you will be getting them out of
storage early. It will also let you see which ones are going to grow before
you plant them in a display bed.