Comparison of Canna Seeds

Canna seeds come in all sizes. Ones like c. tuerkeheimii are tiny while others like 'Omega' equal the size of a large pea. Viable seeds are black or dark brown and hard.

Getting the Seeds Ready

Seeds are filed and then put to soak for 24-48 hours in hot to the hand water before sowing.

The Seed Soak

Seeds are put to soak for 24-48 hours before sowing in sterile medium.

Sowing the Seeds

We use recycled soda and water bottles as mini greenhouse. Placed in bright light, warm temperatures, and on a saucer of water, they create the perfect atmosphere for germinating canna seeds.

Seedlings

Seedlings emerge in a week or two and when kept warm, they grow quickly.
For me, it is always nice to see a good show of dark leaves in the hybrid crosses :-)

Transplants and Seedlings as They Finish

Seedlings are planted out to individual deep pots to be bumped up to 1 G and 2 G sizes as they grow. As they weather warms, they grow quickly. I finish our seedlings in 2 G pots before planting out or dividing as they usually bloom by then and we can better evaluate their worth as one to grow further or cull.

Seedlings Starting Bloom and Beautiful Foliage

Many of the seedlings start bloom around three months from seed sowing.
First season blooms may nice, by true blooms will not stabilize until into the seedling's second season of bloom. At that time they receive their final evaluations, and the "keepers" are named and registered.