The Indian flower cane (Canna) impresses with its orange-red exotic flowers from summer to autumn. Find out in this article how you can propagate non-hardy tuberous plants with seeds and why you should grind the seed balls for this purpose.
How should you grind canna seeds?
To sand the thick shell, you should carefully drag the canna seeds over sandpaper several times. Rub until thewhite inside becomes visible. For the best possible result, work on three to four sides of the seed beads.
Why should you grind the canna seeds?
Theseed shellsof the cannas areparticularly hard If you don't sand them, they can take a long time to germinate or they don't even open at all. By grinding, water penetrates the interior more quickly and initiates germination. By sowing in January to mid-February, you can grow young plants that can be planted out in the same year.
What should you pay attention to when grinding canna seeds?
When sanding, make sure that you do not damage theovules Only sand until the first flash of the white interior. If necessary, secure the seeds with needle-nose pliers or something similar. This allows you to put more pressure on the small balls.
How do I grow cannas from seeds after grinding?
When growing cannas, pay attention to the following tips:
- After grinding, place the seeds in a bowl of water for a few days to swell.
- When the first seedlings appear, you can plant them one centimeter deep in potting soil.
- Cover the nursery pot, keep it moist and place it on the windowsill in a bright and warm place.
- When the first leaves form, you can remove the cover.
- Repot the young plants as soon as several leaves have formed.
What alternatives are there for grinding the canna seeds?
When grinding the canna seeds, the aim is to open the thick shell in places so that water can penetrate more easily and activate germination. You can carefully sand the seeds with sandpaper or a nail file. You can alsovery carefully score the shell with a saw. Under no circumstances should you go deeper than the white interior. Otherwise you will damage the seeds.
Tip
How to easily propagate cannas
Growing cannas from seeds is time-consuming, takes a little longer and the flower color can vary. The easiest way to propagate cannas is to divide the tubers. This form of propagation is particularly suitable for beginners as the plants develop more easily and reliably. However, growing from seeds can make sense if you want to grow new or special varieties.
