Mine have been very washed out looking this summer. They started out beautiful, but after aproximately 30 days of 100* plus days, and over three months with no rain, they are extremely washed out looking and don't really even look like Tropicanna any longer. I water them every day but they still look awful!

hmmm.I don't seem to have that problem. I do know that when the stalks are "bloomed out" they really fade. I always cut this down to the ground and remove them to allow the new brilliant stalks to emerge.

Boca Joe

I haven't had the problem either. How often do you feed them?

I have been using miracle gro for all my plants and have had good results. What else could I try, epsom salt maybe?

Try using something with less Nitrogen. cannas dont need a lot of Nitrogen.

does it look like this or worse?
{{gwi:536071}}

I wish they looked like that. the leaves actually fade to a pinkish beige. the green stays and the veining is strong, but the red really washes out. they are healthy otherwise. Cannas are not expensive and easily replaced, but it just seems odd.What are most people fertilizing them with?

I have mine in semi-shade it has been so hot and dry this year all of the cannas I have in the ground look bad. But the ones I have in pots that are kept real moist are doing wonderful.

I use Miraicle-gro bloom booster.

The bloom booster is good, I forget the one I use but it is something like 8-10-10. Fish emulsions work very well too! especially for potted cannas.

THanks, I will try it. My other colored leaf cannas are holding up well. Wyoming and Australia leaves are bright.

I just planted some tropicanna blacks in the ground. In zone 8,texas. Don't use miracle grow?

"Don't use miracle grow?"

Why would you say that? MG is adequate. Besides, the formulation has greatly changed since 2006.

The best fertilizer that I have used is this:

http://www.growersupply.com/peex15calmag.html

But, be forewarned that the components have large particle sizes that makes it impossible to get a uniform small sample such as a teaspoon or tablespoon. And, if you pulverize it in a blender. it will cake hard in a few days unless you put it into a freezer. It is easiest to just mix 1 lb. at a time in a 32 gal. plastic trash can.