Canna Lily Canna 'Ambassadour'

Water

Canna lilies, including the Canna 'Ambassadour', should be watered to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During active growth, especially in the warmer months, they may need watering once every two to three days, depending on climate conditions. It's best to water deeply, providing about two gallons per plant for each watering, which encourages the roots to grow deeper into the ground. If the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, it's a good indication that the plant needs water. It's essential to reduce watering frequency in the cooler months when the plant goes dormant to prevent rot.

Light

Canna lilies thrive best in full sunlight. For optimal growth and blooming, the Canna 'Ambassadour' should be planted in a location where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate some partial shade, particularly in the hottest part of the day, but too much shade can lead to leggy plants and fewer flowers. A spot sheltered from strong winds is also beneficial.

Temperature

Canna lilies, such as the Canna 'Ambassadour', prefer warm conditions and are best grown in temperatures ranging between 60°F and 90°F. They can survive minimum temperatures down to about 55°F, but frost can be damaging to the plant. The ideal temperature range is between 70°F and 80°F for flourishing growth. Protection from cold is necessary in areas with cool or freezing winters.

Pruning

Prune Canna 'Ambassadour' to remove spent blooms and dead foliage to encourage new growth and a tidy appearance. Deadheading, or cutting off the old flowers, should be done throughout the blooming season as needed. After the first frost in fall, cut the plants back to a few inches above the ground. This will help redirect the plant's energy to the roots for the next growing season. Pruning is typically done once at the end of the season unless maintenance is required during the growing period.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Canna Lily 'Ambassadour' thrives in a well-draining, rich soil mix composed of equal parts loam, compost, and sharp sand or perlite. The ideal soil pH for Canna Lilies is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.

Repotting

Canna Lilies like 'Ambassadour' should be repotted every couple of years or when they outgrow their current pot. This is typically done in the spring before the growing season starts.

Humidity & Misting

Canna Lilies, including 'Ambassadour', prefer high humidity levels but are adaptable and can tolerate lower humidity levels without significant stress.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light with room to grow.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, shelter from wind, moist soil.

• Hardiness zone

  7-11 USDA

Life cycle

The life of a Canna 'Ambassador', commonly known as Canna Lily, begins with seed germination, where the seeds need to be scarified or softened before they can sprout. Following germination, the seed develops into a young plant with a rhizome, which is a horizontal stem that typically grows underground and can give rise to roots and shoots. As it matures, the Canna Lily enters a vegetative stage, where its foliage grows more robust, displaying broad, paddle-shaped leaves. The next stage is the flowering phase, which occurs in the warmer months when spikes of bold, colorful flowers bloom and attract pollinators. After pollination, if it occurs, the flowers will produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. In regions with cold winters, Canna Lilies die back to the ground after flowering and enter a dormant period, during which the rhizomes survive until conditions are favorable for new growth in the following season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method of propagating Canna 'Ambassador', commonly known as Canna Lily, is through division of its rhizomes. Rhizomes should be divided in the spring just before the growing season begins. One should start by carefully digging up the rhizomes and then using a sharp knife to cut them into sections, ensuring that each piece has at least one eye or growth point. The divided sections can then be replanted immediately into prepared soil, setting them about 3 to 4 inches deep and spacing them around 1 to 2 feet apart. Water the newly planted rhizomes thoroughly, which will help to establish them quickly and stimulate growth. This straightforward and efficient division method faithfully preserves the characteristics of the 'Ambassador' cultivar and quickly produces blooming plants.