4 BULLETIN 54, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION 
PREPARATION OF THE LAND 
Edible canna should be planted on land that has been thoroughly 
E lowed and cleared of weeds and debris. Loose, loamy soil should 
e plowed to a depth of 8 inches and then worked down with a disk 
harrow. Clayey soil should be given two plowings a week or more 
apart. Just before the second plowing is given, manure, or any 
form of vegetable matter, should be scattered over the soil. The 
physical condition of clayey soil will be greatly benefited by an 
application of manure or of slaked lime (at the rate of 2 tons per 
acre). Deep plowing, especially on clayey soils, is essential to the 
successful production of edible canna since it gives the roots a larger 
feeding area than they would otherwise have. 
Fig. 3. — Stages of maturity in the growth of the edible canna tuber. (A) Old. An undesirable 
type of corm for planting. (B) Mature. A desirable seed corra for propagation. Adventitious 
buds insure quick growth. (C) Immature. 
PLANTING 
In the Hawaiian Islands, where the temperature is fairly uniform 
throughout the year, edible canna may be planted at any season 
except during a period of drought, and even then if irrigation is 
available. Maturing sufficiently for harvesting in eight months, 
the crop should occupy the ground during the eight most favorable 
months for- growth, unless, of course, the immediately preceding or 
following crop is entitled to primary consideration. 
In a loose, loamy type of soil, the tubers should be planted 5 
inches deep at distances of 3 feet in rows that are 3 feet apart. A 
spacing of 3 by 3 feet will permit of planting 4,840 hills per acre, 
and render cross-cultivation possible while the plants are young. In 
a heavy type of soil, the planting distance should be increased to 
4 feet each way, and the tubers planted not more than 3 inches 
deep. The increased distance will permit of cultivation until the 
