Canna Lily Canna 'Delaware'

Water

Canna lilies, including the 'Delaware' variety, prefer consistently moist soil, so regular watering is essential. They should be watered deeply to saturate the roots, roughly 1 to 2 inches of water per week depending on weather conditions, more frequently if the weather is particularly hot or dry. It's best to check the top inch of soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water. Use a gentle, steady stream of water to avoid disturbing the soil or damaging the plant, ideally in the morning to allow excess moisture to evaporate through the day. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage and avoid letting the plants stand in water.

Light

Canna lilies, such as the 'Delaware', thrive in full sunlight. They should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and blooming. These plants can tolerate some light shade, especially in the hottest parts of the day, but too much shade will reduce flowering. Place them in a spot where they can soak up plenty of sunshine while being protected from intense afternoon heat if possible.

Temperature

Canna lilies, including the 'Delaware' variety, prefer warm temperatures and do best in USDA zones 7 through 10. They can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit but grow and flower best when temperatures range between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They should be protected from frost, as temperatures dipping below 50 degrees can cause damage to the plant.

Pruning

Canna lilies, such as the 'Delaware', should be pruned to remove spent flowers and damaged leaves, which encourages new growth and more blooms. Deadheading, or cutting off the old flowers, should be done throughout the blooming season to maintain appearance. Cut back the foliage to ground level after the first frost in the fall to prepare for winter if you are in a region where cannas are not winter-hardy.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Cannas, including the Canna 'Delaware', thrive in a rich, well-draining soil mix with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. A good mix can be made with equal parts of loam, compost, and peat or a commercial potting mix augmented with compost and perlite to increase fertility and drainage.

Repotting

Cannas, such as the Canna 'Delaware', don't often need to be repotted and can be left in the same pot for several years. However, if it becomes root-bound or the soil is exhausted, it should be repotted in the spring every 2 to 3 years.

Humidity & Misting

Canna 'Delaware' plants do well in average humidity conditions. To ensure strong growth, maintain the relative humidity around them at moderate levels, typically between 40% and 60%.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, keep soil moist, and ensure high humidity.

• Outdoor

  Full sun, rich soil, consistent moisture, and shelter from wind.

• Hardiness zone

  7-11 USDA

Life cycle

The Canna 'Delaware', commonly known as Delaware Canna, begins its life cycle when a rhizome is planted in the soil during spring after the last frost. The rhizome sprouts and grows into a leafy plant, developing large, paddle-shaped leaves and a sturdy stem. By mid-summer, the Delaware Canna produces vibrant, showy flowers that can be red, orange, or yellow, attracting pollinators to its nectar-rich blooms. After flowering, pollination potentially occurs, leading to the formation of seed pods if pollinators are successful. Once the growing season ends and temperatures drop, the aerial parts of the plant die back, and the plant goes dormant over winter, surviving underground as a rhizome. In the following spring, the cycle begins anew as the rhizome sprouts again, given that conditions are favorable for growth.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The most popular method for propagating Canna ‘Delaware’, which is a variety of Canna Lily, is through division of its rhizomes. This is typically done in the spring just before the growing season begins, when the risk of frost has passed and soil temperatures have begun to warm up. To propagate by division, gardeners should carefully dig up the clumps of Canna lilies, making sure not to damage the rhizomes. Using a sharp knife or spade, they can then cut the rhizomes into sections, ensuring that each section has at least one eye, which is a growth point from which new shoots will emerge. These sections can then be replanted at a depth of around 3 to 4 inches, spaced approximately 1 to 2 feet apart to allow adequate growth space. It's important to water the newly planted rhizomes well to establish them. This method allows for rapid increase in the number of plants and retains the cultivar's characteristics.