Anyone know the best way to grow Canna lily?

[JD in the OC]

I'm in South Fl and I'm buying Golden Canna Lily (Canna flaccida) seed in bulk.  Want to grow them up so i can plant them in preserves and wetlands on our jobsites because they're a native and the State requires them. Does anyone have any tips on germinating, soil requirements, light, temp, etc.  I have only grown palms and bromeliads from seed so these are new to me.  Thanks in advance 

JD

[Silas_Sancona]

57 minutes ago, JD in the OC said:

I'm in South Fl and I'm buying Golden Canna Lily (Canna flaccida) seed in bulk.  Want to grow them up so i can plant them in preserves and wetlands on our jobsites because they're a native and the State requires them. Does anyone have any tips on germinating, soil requirements, light, temp, etc.  I have only grown palms and bromeliads from seed so these are new to me.  Thanks in advance 

JD

After a soak in lukewarm water for 24 hours, and / or  scratching the seed coat with either a file or Rough - grade Sand paper..

Pot up and place somewhere Warm and in indirect light... 

Should start germinating within a couple weeks after sowing.

Transplant once over 6" tall. 

[JD in the OC]

Great thanks!

I've read that you HAVE to scrape them otherwise they take a year to germinate. Any truth to that?

How deep to i plant them in the soil?  I was thinking of planting in Fox Farms Light Warrior- sopping wet. 

JD

[Silas_Sancona]

4 minutes ago, JD in the OC said:

Great thanks!

I've read that you HAVE to scrape them otherwise they take a year to germinate. Any truth to that?

How deep to i plant them in the soil?  I was thinking of planting in Fox Farms Light Warrior- sopping wet. 

JD

Yes, Scrape / scratch up with a file / sandpaper... same basic idea as what you'd do for various Legumes w/ a really tough seed coat to help water get to the Embryo..

As for taking a year w/ out doing that first? ..that's definitely possible. 


Would place the seed itself no deeper than they are wide ...so maybe 3/4th of an inch, to about 1 1/2th of an inch below the soil surface..

Soil you're considering using sounds good..  Imagine they probably grow in swamp muck in habitat.

You'll have to report back w/ results / progress...
 

[JD in the OC]

Thanks! I'll post pics for sure 

[Darold Petty]

Scratching the seed coat is tedious.  I asked on this forum for an alternate.  A Palmtalker from England suggested that I put the seeds in a ceramic cup and pour boiling water over them, waiting until the water has cooled to room temperature.  This worked well, and I had equal percentage of germination relative to 'nick the seedcoat' technique.  My species was Canna jaegeriana. 

[JD in the OC]

Canna are rocking and rolling!!

[Silas_Sancona]

11 minutes ago, JD in the OC said:

Canna are rocking and rolling!!

Nice...   Impressive growth in such a short time too