I am not looking to start a war, but someone please tell
me the best way to start canna seeds. I have 6 new packets
and I have read all the advice on the forum,and I have found 18
different ways to grow them.I don`t want to kill them I only have
5 seeds to a packet.
thanks for any advice
Pheadra
HELP! Advice please!!!!!
take a file and carve a small nick in the shell(just till you see white) then soak overnight in warm water and plant. I would wait till spring to start them though.Canna seeds can keep for ages in storage.The ones I planted this year were 12 years old.From 1993. so no worry about shelf life on them. :-)
thank you.Eclipse
I agree with Eclipse! I have also put a bit of peroxide in the water but you don't have to. Aside from the seeds keeping forever, the plants grow darn fast once they break free. LOL They bloom a few months after starting them so no big hurry. :)
Pheadra,
I have had excellent luck with Canna seeds by, as advised by the others, nicking/scarifying them first, soaking them overnight, and then planting them in moist seedstarter. A bit of plastic wrap over the top doesn't hurt either (but do remove it from time to time).
Good luck to you.
Erick
I nick them then soak them in BOILING water overnight then plant. I have started several this way--4 or 5 this year!! And I wouldn't say you have to wait til Spring though you will of course have to plant them in a pot and keep inside. That will give them time to grow a rhizome over winter then plant outside in Spring. I haven't watched close enough to see whether I get flowers the same year or not but probably flowers in 2 yrs from seed.
Bonnie
Big nail clippers work on the scarifying job best for me....