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Apr 23, 2014 7:13 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
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Anyone know the best way to start Canna seeds, out side verses in side? Confused I read an article that said to score them and then soak in water for about 3 to 5 days but they are so darn hard, I haven't been able to Glare
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
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Apr 23, 2014 8:29 PM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
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Canna from seed is actually very easy to start .. but, you HAVE to break the seed coat. There are a number of ways to do it. The safest way is to firmly grab the seed with a pair of pliers then take a hack saw and start sawing the seed coat until you see white .. try and 'score' the seed about half way around. Another way is to again hold the seed with pliers and use a dremel with a cutting disk to score the seed. Whatever you use to score the seed, do NOT hold the seed with your fingers!

Once you have done this just plant the seed about a half inch deep .. no soaking necessary.

Be advised that the flower of your new plant in all likelihood won't look a thing like the parent plant.

Here is what a newly germinated seedling looks like:

Thumb of 2014-04-24/Xeramtheum/050d49
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Apr 23, 2014 8:49 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
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Anne,

Yes, I got the "Don't hold it with your fingers" part Quickly! *Blush* I will try again to score them tomorrow and use your method. I don't know what the parent plant looked like. The dead parent plant is at a house that my step daughter and son-in-law recently moved into and the seeds were still there in the seed pod. She didn't want them so I grabbed them the other day. It doesn't really matter. I don't have any and was just saying the other day that I would like to get some but they are kind of expensive and I have just started a "very addictive" Daylily habit Sticking tongue out Thanks for the info and the pic. It definitely helped!
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
Last edited by Cat Apr 23, 2014 8:51 PM Icon for preview
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Apr 23, 2014 8:59 PM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
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The hardest part is the very beginning because the saw or whatever you are using tends to slide off the seed coat because it's so smooth. Before you start sawing try to make a dent in the coat so the blade won't slide off and don't use too much pressure until you have a good groove going. I think I used something like toenail clippers to put a nick in it.
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Apr 23, 2014 9:11 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
Daylilies Lilies Ponds Echinacea Irises Butterflies
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Yes, that is the problem I was having. They were so smooth that I couldn't get a dent started and didn't really want to loose any fingers in the process so decided I better see if any one could offer any help.
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
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Apr 24, 2014 5:33 AM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
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I woke up this morning remembering how I dented the canna seeds (don't grow old, first your memory goes then your memory goes). I used wire cutters/strippers. They make awesome dents.

Thumb of 2014-04-24/Xeramtheum/c4c313 Thumb of 2014-04-24/Xeramtheum/428d9f
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Last edited by Xeramtheum Apr 24, 2014 5:34 AM Icon for preview
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Apr 24, 2014 8:38 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
Daylilies Lilies Ponds Echinacea Irises Butterflies
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Oh, I know that feeling, lol. Great I have a pair of those. I will definitely us them!! Anything to make it easier and not loose a finger. Big Grin
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
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Apr 24, 2014 8:53 AM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
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I love canna and had an awesome collection but finally quit growing them because I was just plain tired of fighting leaf rollers.
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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Apr 24, 2014 9:01 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
Daylilies Lilies Ponds Echinacea Irises Butterflies
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I've never grown any. My dad has them all around his screened in back porch. I don't recall him ever talking about having trouble with leaf rollers. I don't think he does much to his canna though. Just plants and digs them each year. I need to start getting some from him. Seeds and the bulbs but he only has red. They are pretty but I would like to have some of the other colors also...I don't need another flower obsession Drooling that's for sure. Whistling
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
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Apr 24, 2014 9:45 AM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
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You don't have to tell me about flower obsession .. I refuse to look at daylily's for just that reason. I could very easily get hooked, lined and sinkered.

I don't know if leaf rollers are a problem where you live .. in the south they are a very big problem. Moths lay eggs on the leaves and when the little caterpillar hatches out, it glues silk around an unopened leaf and starts feeding. The silk is strong enough to keep the leaf from opening.

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Apr 24, 2014 10:45 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
Daylilies Lilies Ponds Echinacea Irises Butterflies
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Well, I have to confess. I had to look them up before I replied to your post. *Blush* I will be sure to ask my dad if he has any problem with them. We have a garden every year on his property so he will probably know what they are. Are there other plants they attack or just cannas?
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
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Apr 24, 2014 10:51 AM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
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I think they also attack some fruit trees .. my only experience with them are canna .. I switched to gingers. I don't think anything bothers gingers. In the years and years I've grown them I've never seen any insect problems with them.
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Apr 24, 2014 10:57 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
Daylilies Lilies Ponds Echinacea Irises Butterflies
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I will be sure to watch for them especially on the canna (when I get them growing). You have had a lot of great information! Thank You!
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
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Apr 24, 2014 11:16 AM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
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That's what we're all here for .. learning and sharing!
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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Oct 8, 2014 3:35 AM CST
Name: Peter
Europe (Zone 9a)
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Hi Catherine, Hi Anne,

Could I suggest sand paper to rub down the coat of the canna seeds. It is easier to use and less dangerous to your fingers, though of course the seeds can bounce away any way.

Grew about a dozen from seed this first year, stopped them in 9cm pots so they did not get too big. Grew them inside the garden house to start them early.

About to set them inside again for the winter.

Really enjoyed the other ten or so I bought as plants, wonderful leaves, beautiful colours. First year growing them and no problems this year.

May have a serious go next year.

All the best,

Peter I tip my hat to you.
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Oct 8, 2014 10:01 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
Daylilies Lilies Ponds Echinacea Irises Butterflies
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They are Tough Seeds, that is for sure! I was able to get about 4 of them to sprout and grow. Have more seeds to try. I am bringing the 4 that did sprout and grow in doors also.
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
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Oct 8, 2014 10:50 AM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
Seed Starter Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus Hybridizer Garden Sages Butterflies
If you ever try to grow lotus from seed you'll be astonished .. the seed coat is about 3 times thicker than a canna seed .. that's why they can stay viable for over 1000 years!
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
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Oct 8, 2014 3:28 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Catherine
IN (Zone 5b)
Daylilies Lilies Ponds Echinacea Irises Butterflies
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Wow! The Canna are tough enough, lol.
Cat
"Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers." - Veronica A. Shoffstall
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Oct 10, 2014 12:57 PM CST
Name: Karen
Valencia, Pa (Zone 6a)
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I've never tried it with canna seeds, but sandpaper works well with a lot of big, hard seeds.

Karen
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Oct 10, 2014 1:15 PM CST
Name: Anne
Summerville, SC (Zone 8a)
Only dead fish go with the flow!
Plant and/or Seed Trader Birds Cat Lover Greenhouse Tropicals Bulbs
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Sandpaper is way too much work, especially if you're trying to break the coat of more than once seed.
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