The flower tube was in full bloom for several months. Autumn has now arrived and with it the fruits of the plant ripen. For those who like to experiment, it is worth collecting the seeds included
How to germinate canna seeds?
To germinate canna seeds, sand the hard shell until the white interior becomes visible. Then soak the seeds in warm water for two days, plant them two centimeters deep in soil and keep the soil moist. Place the seeds in a warm place to speed up germination time.
General information about seeds
They are inconspicuous: small, elliptical-rounded, smooth-shelled and black to dark brown in color. They are found in wart-shaped seed pods. In late autumn they ripen in their fruit heads. They are ripe when the fruit stalks have dried up and burst open. There are usually 2 rock-hard seeds in one capsule.
Once you have the seeds, there is no need to be in a hurry. They have an extremely long shelf life and can be stored for many decades without losing their ability to germinate. Thank your hard shell
Grouping the seeds
Compared to propagation by dividing the rhizomes, sowing can be classified as laborious. But for canna lovers and all those who want to breed with cannas, sowing them is worth it, for example to get a completely new variety.
Preparatory work: grinding the seeds
Before you grow canna from seeds, you should file or sand the seeds. This is important if you don't want to wait several months for the seeds to germinate. The seed shell is extremely hard and is difficult for the seedlings to break through.
Sand the bowl until the white interior becomes visible. Caution: The interior should not be damaged. You can use the following tools for sanding:
- Sandpaper
- File
- Nail file
Off to the pots
Canna seeds can be sown in pots from January. Sowing should be carried out by mid-February at the latest in order to achieve flowering in the same year.
The seeds continue as follows:
- Soak in warm water for 2 days
- then place 2 cm deep in soil
- Keep soil moist
- place in a warm place (e.g. near the heater)
- Germination time under the most optimal conditions: 6 days
- plant out in spring after the last frost
- slowly get used to the sun
Tips & Tricks
In the canna plant's homeland, the seeds are often used to make necklaces and bracelets. Simply collect the seeds, pierce them and thread them together.
