Things You'll Need:
- Garden shears or scissors
- Garden fork or trowel
- Plastic bag with air holes
- Sawdust, peat moss or other organic packing material
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Step 1
Dig up the canna rhizomes before the ground freezes. Freezing will cause them to rot.
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Step 2
Cut the plant's foliage, leaving 3 or 4 inches. Discard the trimmed foliage to reduce chances of insect infestation.
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Step 3
Using a garden fork or trowel, gently loosen the soil around the rhizomes.
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Step 4
Insert the fork or trowel under each rhizome and gently lift until the long, tuberous root is exposed. Rhizomes can spread rapidly in one growing season, so be sure to excavate an area large enough to account for any new growth.
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Step 5
Lift the root out of the ground and gently shake off any clumps of soil. Save any broken pieces of the rhizome--these pieces will also take root and grow.
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Step 6
Brush or wash off any loose soil and inspect the rhizome for insect infestation or rot. Discard any rhizome that appears rotted or infested.
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Step 1
Let the roots dry for three days, especially if you have washed off the roots with water.
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Step 2
Divide the clumps into three- to five-eye bulbs.
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Step 3
Place the clumps in a plastic bag with several air holes. This will keep moisture from building up but prevent the rhizome from drying out.
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Step 4
Add sawdust, dried peat moss or other clean, dry organic packing material to protect the root.
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Step 5
Store the bag in a dark area between 45 and 60 degrees. This will prevent the rhizomes from freezing but will inhibit premature growth.
