Well Kyle I'm no longer canna seed propagation challenged. Followed your "old Italian" method and this time I'm getting terrific results. The seeds are putting out roots and several have started sprouting. The secret was definately the heat. I noticed I wasn't doing such a good job of nicking the seeds and the first batch weren't doing anything. I took all the seeds out of the pots again, continued soaking and nicking until I could finally see white spots underneath the seed coat.
Last year I thought I was doing well when I got a couple of seeds to sprout...lol. Those three plants produced 17 little babies and they are in pots upstairs growing happily. Hindsight tells me to label the pots this year, cuz I don't know the colors of the ones in the individual flowers until they bloom again this year...the magic of labelling...hmmmmm saves time and energy in the long run!!
Kyle -canna seeds sprouting
Joyce,
Good to see you back again. Thought I'd tell you what I did this year with my canna seeds. You know those clippers that are heavy and are for cuticle grooming? They work great to nick the seed coat of the canna seeds. I did mine, soaked over night, and they were coming up in less than a week. Glad you are having such good luck with yours. I took the easy way out and after soaking just planted the seeds in potting soil, one kind to a pot. Yep, I did mark them, but after they get into the garden, markers seem to disappear and I won't know what I have once again. LOL!!
I have the same problem too. I have trouble nicking the seed coat! Tried a nile file - no luck. I'll give nail clippers a try. You then soak them AFTER nicking? Wish me luck!
Shirley, they might even nick easier with the clippers if you soaked the seeds for a while beforehand. Haven't tried it, but sounds like it should work that way. Good Luck.
I had a heck of a time getting through some lotus seeds and found that a saw worked great! LOL I held them with pliers and put a slit in them with a drywall/keyhole saw. The seeds took on water the next day and all sprouted within three days! I plan on doing my canna the same way. The things we do......... :)
Update,
One pot of seeds is completely sprouted-12 seedlings from Robert Kemp variety. Now I'm waiting on some other little beauties. I'm eager to get seeds from Stuttart, Pretoria or any with the yellow striping in the foliage.
Brugie,
This year I'm going to make sure I tag all the plants with names. The only plant I have labeled from last year were seeds that said they were tropicanna, but they definately are not. There isn't any yellow in the leaf. The folliage is green with a faint burgandy stripe, burgandy on the bottom of the leaves and a burgandy edge around the perimeter of the leaf. They have yet to flower, are only now 2 feet tall and are growing indoors in the sunroom. Anyone have any idea what kind they might be?
Shirley,
Keep soaking and nicking the seeds. Eventually they will start swelling on you and you will be able to pick at them until you see a white spot appear. Make sure you nick the end of the seed with the little dot. I think last year I nicked the wrong end on most of the seeds.
Another pot of seeds are sprouting! These are from a "Mixed" collection...yipee, can hardly wait to see what some of these look like. Two of the other seedlings have a pink rim around the edge of the leaves.
Okay, did I miss it or did you say what the Old Italian Method is? LOL I was dumb and left all my huge ones outside two years ago, but I did save seeds. I have others from trades and seed saving. Considering a canna farm here. :)
I would also like to know the "old Italian" method. Please help. Thanks
YES, DEFINITELY need to know the tried and true method of nicking Canna seeds via the "Ol' Italian Method".
Thanks joydie1, it certainly helps to nick the seed at the correct end :~). I'll keep soaking and trying....I promise!
Ok, Kyle's "Old Italian Method"
Soak seeds in very warm water for 2 days. Nick seeds using course sand paper, file, exacto knife or whatever until you see a small white spot. Be sure to file the end of the seed with the small dot!!. I continued to soak the seeds in warm water until I saw a small white root just beginning to poke its head out.
Sow seeds with the white dot pointing into moist potting soil. Place pot into a plastic baggie and seal. Place over heat or warmth and they should sprout in a week.
Joydie, pretoria is sterile..will not produce seeds...most of the variegated forms are all sterile....
Kyle,
Thanks, now I'll have to go "bargain" web shopping to find the cheapest prices up here. I'm planning my new border (which my brother doesn't know he will have to dig hehehe) and I want some really flambouant colored foliage to tuck in between my brug pots.