- 1). Leave the cannas untouched in the flowerbed until four days after the first frost has killed back the foliage. Cut the stems back to a 3- to 4-inch height with a sharp knife.
- 2). Loosen the soil around the base of the canna with a hand-held gardening fork, digging beneath the root zone. Grasp the remaining canna stem by hand and gently lift the roots from the loosened soil.
- 3). Lay the canna root upside down on a sheet of newspaper in a well-ventilated room. Allow any moisture in the stem to drain onto the newspaper for up to 4 hours.
- 4). Treat the roots with a fungicidal powder formulated for cannas or tender tuberous plants. Follow the package instructions for fungicide application, as this varies by brand.
- 5). Place two to three roots into a mesh onion bag. Hang the bag in a dry, dark 40- to 50-degree-Fahrenheit room. Avoid warm locations or those that drop below freezing.
- 6). Check the canna roots once a month during storage. Dispose of any roots that develop soft spots or other signs of rot.
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