I have had my canna lillies and elephant ears for 6 years and every year they have returned and grow as high as 9 feet tall. However this spring they did not return. When I pull at a old shoot (canna lily) it is as through its rotted. The elephant ears have not returned either. What could have caused this. I am terribly upset as I enjoyed seeing the tropical plants around our pond each year.
Our entire region has experienced, this year, one of the many alternating cool and warm periods. Since you are on the edge of where they can survive, This means that during this time where the sun and earth are a little further apart than usual, and the sun is a little cooler than usual, it is possible to lose plants that are right on the line of where they can survive. This is unfortunate, and somewhat unavoidable.
why is my canna only producing stems full of pods, no flowers?
This article will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/canna/canna-lily-will-not-bloom.htm
after 24 hrs what should the appearance of the seed look like? How do you know it's ready for germination?
It will have soaked up the necessary water for initiation by the 24 hour mark. It is a general guideline, and will only ensure that the seeds have soaked up enough water to begin its lifecycle.
After soaking, you can proceed as usual. Many seeds benefit from soaking, and this method can be applied to just about any seed to speed up the germination process.
This article will help you to grow these after they germinate: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/canna/canna-lily-care.htm
I've had my canna lilies for about a month. They were in bloom until last week. I did not dead head them because I did not know to do this. Now I see the seed pods taking over and no further blooms. How can I get them to bloom again. I live in plant zone 10 so there is no wintering here.
This article will help you with this.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/canna/deadheading-canna-lily-plants.htm
Something is eating my Canna leaves
That, certainly, is an unusual pattern.
That is some sort of insect, but it would be hard to guess which without seeing other signs of it. Caterpillars, ants, and many other insects can cause this type of damage.
A broad spectrum insecticide will usually take care of the issue. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/natural-home-pesticides-organic-garden-pest-control.htm
On another note. I would also treat for a minor fungal infection, as noted in the tips of some of those leaves. This article will give you more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm
we have people living near us that have canna lily come back every year without them doing anything to them... but mine froze last winter. Is there a lily that you can be planted in WNC that will keep over winter in the ground?
This article will help you with winterizing your bulbs.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/canna/storing-canna-bulbs.htm
I live in WV and I only have two plants so I was wondering how it would work if I covered them with some kind of insulated material??? Also, I do have some seeds from the plants I do have, and will follow your excellent directions for planting them. Thanks for your help.
You are in zone 6b so you are on the tip of the hardiness zones for canna. Often if you have a mild winter they will come back, but since you won't know that ahead of time, it is best to mulch heavily or dig them up and store. You can also grow them in containers and move the containers inside to a frost free area for the winter.
Here are some tips:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/canna/planting-cannas-in-pots.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/canna/planting-canna-lily-seeds.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/canna/deadheading-canna-lily-plants.htm