Should I deadhead or prune my cannas?

11 years ago

Yes. A canna plant may produce two or more stems of flowers if each stem is pruned immediately after the flowers have wilted. Just cut the individual stems off below the flowers. Pruning causes more energy to be pouring into flower production. After all flower stems have flowered, prune them all off. Otherwise, theyll go into seed production, which robs the nutrients that increase rhizome production. If you have lots of new canna plants trying to grow around this plant that has just finished blooming, you may wish to cut the entire plant down to allow sunlight to reach the new plants which will soon be blooming. Also, cutting the plant down allows more nutrients to be used by the new plants.

Comment

Related Discussions
Should i deadhead my Echinacea?
Q
Comments (15)
If you watch the seedheads, they will turn brown and you will know that the seeds are ripening when the Goldfinches cling to the heads and start picking off seeds. They eat them in tidy little rows. I try to harvest some of the seedheads before the finches get them all, and store them in the garage. Then I tape up a bunch of them to one of the bird-feeding poles for the Finches to eat during the winter (they love 'em). Despite the finches eating most of the seed, the Echinacea still self-sows abundantly in the gardens, too much even.
...See More
should I deadhead my Ruby Star coneflower?
Q
Comments (1)
Let it go to seed and then you'll have a bunch of regular old coneflowers come up next year. I like Ruby Star. It has such big blooms!
...See More
Should I prune the dead blooms off of my new mophead?
Q
Comments (5)
If not remontant types, blooming is probably done for this season. You can cut off the dead flowerheads (deadheading) by cutting back to the next leaf node. FWIW, in areas with long growing seasons, sometimes even non-remontant (reblooming) hydrangeas will produce new flowers on current growth. No guarantees but it can happen. I'd not expect it on greenhouse-forced plants, however.
...See More
Should I be dead-heading my watermelon vines at this point?
Q
Comments (12)
I guess this guy on YouTube is wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmJFhBosKwQ Leaves are good for all plants. The more leaves you have the more photosynthesis the stronger and happier the plant. Fruit on the other side are just drains so the more you have the more drain you have unless you have a ton of leaves to support. My best melon seems to be the one in the middle. Since this is my first try with melon this year I will just leave them alone and see what happens. I assume watermelons are like cucumbers. If it does not have the resources to support more fruit, it will not produce any female flowers.
...See More

Related Stories

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

Full Story

130

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener's August Checklist

By Genevieve Schmidt

Deadheading perennials, cutting raspberry canes and preparing for the onion harvest keeps Northwest gardeners busy in August

Full Story

WINTER GARDENING California Gardener's January Checklist

By Bill Marken

Winter-defying blooms and pruning saws earn a cheer, while California-focused gardening design books get a well-deserved shout-out

Full Story

By Annie Thornton

Our July gardening guides take the guesswork out of summer watering, pruning and planting. See our tips for your U.S. region

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Southwest Gardener's July Checklist

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Hold on to your hat and prune those tree branches; monsoon season means damage prevention is key

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener: What to Do in May

By Genevieve Schmidt

Take advantage of May's warmth to prune spring blooms and plant vegetables and annuals for a summer bounty

Full Story

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING 9 Whimsical Touches to Wake Up the Garden

By Becky Harris

If the August heat is wilting your enthusiasm, try these playful ideas to jump-start your gardening moxie

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Southwest Gardener's June Checklist

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Protect your plants from too much sun while waiting for rain relief, and guess what? Those cacti might need a drink

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES California Gardener: What to Do in July

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Active green thumb or not, top priorities for peak fruit and veggie season: watering, feeding, keeping up with growth

Full Story

FALL GARDENING 7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax

Full Story

230

Should I deadhead or prune my cannas?

Comment

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US