EDIBLE CANNA IN HAWAII 3 
CLIMATIC AND SOIL REQUIREMENTS 
The luxuriant growth made by edible canna in various locations of 
widely differing altitude in Hawaii would seem to indicate that the 
crop is not exacting in its climatic requirements. It thrives from sea 
level to an elevation of 2,700 feet near Waimea, Island of Hawaii. 
In short growing periods, however, the crop produces its maximum 
yield at an elevation of less than 1,500 feet and when the days and 
nights are relatively warm, the rainfall is adequate, and protection 
is afforded against strong winds. 
As is true of other root crops, edible canna makes its best develop- 
ment when it is grown in a loose, loamy soil containing an abundance 
of humus. When the crop is grown in a clay soil, the yield is materi- 
Fig. 2.— A typical edible canna corm. 
ally reduced and the size of the individual tubers considerably di- 
minished. Clayey soil renders difficult the work of harvesting and 
usually causes the plant to make a poor stand. Edible canna will 
withstand an excessive amount of moisture in the form of rainfall and 
irrigation, but it will not grow in soil that is not well-drained. 
METHODS OF CULTURE 
SELECTION OF PLANTING STOCK 
Only tubers which have attained normal size and development 
and bear one or more healthy, unbruised buds should be selected 
for planting (fig. 3). As a precautionary measure against rot- 
producing organisms, the station dips all tubers at the time of dig- 
ging in a 10 per cent solution of copper sulphate. 
