I've since misplaced the thread, but I recall reading a post in which a member offered the advice that cannas will regrow after they're cut back. My Stuttgart developed brown edges on the leaves while I was away on vacation. Should I cut the main stalk to the ground, or just above the first leaf?

Chelle: I don't grow a lot of Canna's but I do have a few and I've cut the stalks back and they re-grow just fine. I don't know what thread you were on but I found this while doing a search; go all the way to the bottom of this page to Forum Results (or something like that) and there are a few threads re: Canna's:

http://garden.org/search/index...


I'd look through a few but I need to finish cooking dinner.

Thanks, Lin.

Will it grow up and out of the cut stalk or start a new one from the roots? I recall something large like that regrowing out of a cut stalk and thought it was interesting that it could do that, but I can't recall if it was a canna.

Well, it still looks awful, and it's not regrowing from the cut stalk...so, I'm ready to trash it and put something else in its spot. New leaves are still emerging with unattractive brown edges. I don't know if it's diseased, or what. I'm really bummed about this one; I needed that large splash of white in that area of the garden.

[Forgot the picture...]

It was been years since I grew Cannas. I always just let them flower and then they were done. The leaves stayed till I pulled the entire plant in the fall. They don't overwinter here so I tossed them and only used them as annuals. I know one can save the tubers but too much work for me!

Cannas don't normally regrow from cut stalks like bananas do. The rhizome can put up a lot of new shoots if they're happy, but each time you cut them back it takes a little more out of them. You can certainly lift the entire rhizome out of the ground and move it to a new location, or even pot it up. Cannas store well when dormant, too.

Unfortunately, Stuttgart, like many variegated plants, is prone to burning and browning in the white portions of the leaves. Too much water, to little water, or too much wind, sun, or heat can all contribute to this. I grow it in full shade, where it gets a bit tall, but is more likely to look nice.

Whoops! Operator error. I've got it in a lot of sun.

Thanks so much, Paul. I feel better now that I've at least learned something useful throughout this trying situation.