Canna DISCOLOR

Canna DISCOLOR - Variegated canna, Canna discolor.

Canna is the sole genus of the monotypic family Cannaceae. At least 50 plant species are known. Natural habitat is America, China, and India. In Europe, they appeared only from the end of the 16th century.

The plant is very spectacular and leaves no one indifferent. Its flower is bright scarlet, the leaves of this plant are generally very wondrous; they can be dark green, purple, or even dark violet. Canna completely lacks fragrance and is a very heat-loving plant. The plant has a great many features. One of the most important - it is practically not afraid of any diseases at all. Growing cannas is a pleasure. It does not require frequent watering; it can be asserted with confidence that the plant loves drought. In general, it is completely undemanding. Flowering period is from June until October.

Roots spread similarly to iris roots. They seem to send out branches. They grow exclusively in width. Stems with flowers are rather thick, grow strictly erect, their height can reach three meters (10 ft). Leaves are large, massive, slightly narrowed at the tip. Their length can reach nearly a meter (3.3 ft), and width no less than 20 cm (8 in). Shades of leaves attract a lot of attention. Cannas bloom extraordinarily beautifully. They are completely asymmetrical, size can be up to 4 cm (1.6 in). Color is blood-red. But other colors have also been bred. One can encounter orange, pink, yellow. There are also multicolored, dotted, striped. White cannas can be found very rarely. Flowers form an inflorescence. The fruit is a capsule (three-celled).

Cultivars of canna with margined leaves and leaves decorated with vivid stripes are known. Under favorable maintenance conditions (as well as suitable weather conditions), Indian canna blooms from July until frost. Flowers of Indian canna, like its foliage, are distinguished by a great diversity of colorations: they can be solid and speckled, red and orange, yellow, pink, and white. Flowers of Indian canna are scentless, fairly large, asymmetrical, gathered in racemose or paniculate inflorescences.

Seeds are pre-scarified carefully and soaked in warm water for 24 hours, then sown into a mixture of peat and sand to a depth of 1-1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in), moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

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Cannas can be grown both in a garden plot and on a windowsill in the home. For this, only dwarf cultivars are used. Canna will look wonderful in a tub on a balcony or terrace. The plant will certainly adorn any room and introduce vibrant colors into the atmosphere.

A huge advantage of indoor canna is the fact that only 2 months is enough for the flower's dormancy. Throughout the rest of the period, it will bloom and delight with its ornamental value.

The plant can initially be planted in a pot or tub. Or it can be dug up from the garden. Only in that case, the soil must definitely be treated with insecticides so as not to bring various diseases and pests into the home. It is desirable to choose a larger pot, about 50 centimeters (20 in) in diameter. It is recommended to dig up the plant in autumn.

Caring for an indoor canna is much easier than for a garden one. Such procedures as soil loosening, spraying, pest and weed control become unnecessary.

Care consists of watering; it is carried out as the upper layer of soil dries out. Water for irrigation is necessarily settled. The optimal place for the flower is a windowsill on the sunny side. Cannas are light-demanding plants, and in a darkened place they will not feel comfortable.

Periodically, the foliage can be wiped with a damp cloth to remove dust; such care will only be beneficial.

After canna finishes flowering, it will not lose its ornamental appearance and will delight household members with its vivid and beautiful leaves.