Cannas, at least the ones NOT specifically sold as "aquatic cannas" (although I'm not sure there is really a difference), do not like to be soggy in the spring when they first start to grow. Soggy cannas are prone to rotting. Once they get going and have some leaves on them, they can tolerate lots more water. I would recommend leaving it in the pot, and removing the pot for the winter and storing like any other canna. Also, you will need to elevate it. It's not going to like being 4 or 5 feet down at the bottom of your pond. A couple inches over the pot is the most you should do, and almost level with the water surface is even better.

Edmunds sells bareroots, usually grafted on Dr. Huey rootstock. You have to get bareroots fresh, fresh, fresh, fresh. Most of the time from the big box stores, they have been sitting around for awhile and haven't been kept hydrated. Dehydration is death to bareroots. So, very green, very plump, fresh canes are critical. Next, the bareroots have to be rehydrated, so cover the roots with water and let them soak for a minimum of 24 hours, I like to let them soak for a few days (ok, sometimes it gets to weeks, but that's another story). Plant, and then you have to cover the canes until they break dormancy. You can cover with mounded soil or mulch or with a paper bag (cut out a hole from the bottom to let air in), but those canes still need to be kept moist. And water, water, water. Hope that helps.

Hi Everybody! I can't believe how this week has flown by. Tomorrow is weigh-in day again! Other than more demolition on the kitchen, I haven't been getting my exercise. Actually, I should be doing my step aerobics right now, but here I am instead. The days are getting noticeably shorter, but the temperatures here are still warm. I guess we will be getting remnants of Ivan in the form of rain, rain, rain for the weekend. But I can't complain. My heart goes out to those affected more directly by the recent string of hurricanes. Well, I wore a pair of jeans today that I had not worn for a looong time. They fit, and were not tight. I know that the changes in my diet are really working. Yellowhair--I wonder if we will see Bunny Tracks here. I really love the Skinny Cow fudge bars. My DH is now eating them, too. You know, I have never had problems with my feet. But awhile back when I was trying to take long walks, I started having a problem with my big toe. It felt like it was sprained or something. It was very odd, but it just went away. DH has lots of trouble with his feet. I am sure it is just that we are getting older. Anyway, he has heel spurs, which are bony growths that kinda jab you from the inside. he has other things going on too, and has even been through physical therapy. He says they told him that whenever he is getting pain to quit whatever activity he is doing for awhile. In other words, if it hurts when you do that, don't do that! Kathy--When I first got into gardening and landscaping someone, who was a seasoned gardener, told me that a garden wasn't really yours until you had re-invented it about a million times. Well, they didn't say it quite like that, but that was the general meaning I took from it. I was fretting because the year before I had planted a shrub that I now thought would be in much better spot if I moved it just 4 feet. I wasn't sure it was worth it to go to the trouble. The advice I got was to go for it. I did, and I am still glad I did. And that is still my approach to gardening now. I am always seeing something that needs to be improved and gardening is all about the process. So it sounds like a change will be coming to your garden soon! DeeMarie--Talking about your commute reminded me of when I was doing that. Several years ago, I drove 50 miles one way to work. It took an hour and a half on most days with traffic and all. DH says I used to come home in the worst mood. It is interesting how we get ourselves into these things. I mean the trade-off for a job that you love vs. having more time for activities at home vs a nice paycheck vs whatever. I try not to regret the decisions that I make, but it sure seems that life is all about the trade-offs sometimes. On that note, I will wrap up this longwinded post. Eat healthy!!

It changed so many peoples lives...my job took a nose dive and I feel like we're just now pulling out of the mess...It changed soooo many things in how I now do my job...It changed my nieces life forever and she's still so bitter and cannot get past it...I can't blame her...Her husband was a wonderful man and I often think how her life would be sooo different had he not been in the pentagon that day...Please keep her in your thoughts...cause she sooo needs help and while she does still attend grief sessions I'm not sure she'll ever get over it...this pic was taken in Jack's little town Memorial Day, 2002...They had a wonderful service and dedicated it to him...