Canna 'Lenape' Canna 'Lenape'

Water

The Tropicanna Canna should be watered deeply and thoroughly to ensure the soil is moist, especially during the growing season. As a rule of thumb, water the plant once a week, but you may need to adjust the frequency based on weather conditions—more often in extreme heat or less if it’s rainy. Each watering session should involve about 1-2 gallons of water, depending on the size of your canna and the soil's ability to retain moisture. Make sure that the water penetrates the soil to reach the roots and that the plant is not sitting in water, as this can lead to root rot.

Light

Tropicanna Cannas thrive best in full sun conditions, where they can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for these plants would be in a location that gets uninterrupted sunlight throughout the day, although they can tolerate partial shade, their flowering might be reduced.

Temperature

Tropicanna Cannas prefer warm temperatures and are typically grown in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but the ideal temperature range for these plants is between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Cannas should be protected from frost, as temperatures below 55 degrees can be harmful to the plant.

Pruning

Pruning Tropicanna Cannas involves removing dead or yellowing leaves to encourage healthy growth and improve air circulation. Prune as needed throughout the growing season, cutting back foliage and spent flower stalks to the base. The best time to do a major pruning is in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Canna 'Lenape', also known as Indian Shot or Canna Lily, thrives best in a rich, moisture-retentive soil mix with good drainage. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand is ideal. The desired pH range for Canna Lilies is between 6.0 and 6.5.

Repotting

Canna Lilies, including the 'Lenape' variety, should generally be repotted every two to three years, or when the rhizomes outgrow their current container. It's best to repot them in the spring as new growth begins.

Humidity & Misting

Canna Lilies prefer high humidity levels; however, they are quite adaptable and can tolerate the lower humidity levels typically found in outdoor garden environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light, and ensure high humidity and warmth.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, fertile soil, and keep well-watered.

• Hardiness zone

  8-11 USDA

Life cycle

The Canna 'Lenape', commonly known as Indian Shot or Canna Lily, begins its life as a rhizome which sprouts in spring when the soil warms up. The shoots emerge from the rhizomes, developing into large, paddle-shaped leaves and a sturdy stem that can reach up to a few feet in height, depending on the variety. During the summer, the Canna 'Lenape' produces large and colorful flowers that can be in shades of red, orange, or yellow, which are pollinated by insects. After flowering, the plant can produce seed pods containing round black seeds that resemble shotgun pellets, hence the name Indian Shot. As the growing season ends and temperatures drop in autumn, the above ground parts of the plant will die back, and the plant will go dormant over winter. The rhizomes persist underground throughout the dormant period and can be divided and replanted to propagate new plants for the next growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Canna 'Lenape', commonly known as the Canna Lily, is typically propagated through division, which is its most popular method of propagation. Propagation is best carried out in the spring, just before the growing season begins, when the plant is coming out of dormancy and has the most energy for producing new growth. To propagate by division, the gardener should carefully lift the rhizomes from the ground after the foliage has died back or just before new growth starts. Using a sharp knife, the rhizomes are divided into sections, ensuring that each section has at least one eye or bud. These sections are then planted about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) deep in soil, spaced about 1 to 2 feet (30.5 to 61 cm) apart, so that they have room to grow. The soil should be well-draining but able to retain some moisture, as Canna Lily prefers these conditions. After planting, the divisions should be watered generously to help establish them.