I lift all my cannas every fall. Last year I had about 4 laundry baskets full of a tall red variety (it was a gift to me that keeps on giving) with tiny flowers. It stores great and reproduces beautifully (name unknown). However, I have never had as much luck with The President (red)which I had at least one laundry basket. They looked good last fall when I lifted them, but seemed much smaller this year when I planted them and no where near the body of the taller variety. They seemed a little dried and small. Anyway, everything is starting to sprout up just within the last week, but no President. All my rhizomes I dig up every fall, wash, air dry, and then hang in net laundry bags from hooks from the ceiling joists in my basement. I haven't dug around looking for life in the Presidents yet, but was wondering if anyone else has this problem with a shorter variety. I have planted many Richard Wallace and also Princess Di in two new beds this year. My fear is that I continue to store these over winters, plant them in the spring, and then don't know they aren't going to grow until it is way too late to remedy the problem. Perhaps The President is harder to have success with after lifting? Another fear is investing a lot in certain cannas if they don't grow again. I bought about 200 again this year and would like to figure this out before I spend any more in future years. I used to live in a zone 8 and can't seem to shake my need to see the President each and every year in mass!Any thoughts?