The flower cane was in full bloom for several months. Autumn has now arrived and with it the fruits of the plant are ripening. For those who like to experiment, it is worth collecting the included seeds…

General information about the seeds

They are inconspicuous: small, elliptical-round, smooth-skinned and black to dark brown in colour. They are in wart-shaped seed pods. In late autumn they mature in their infructescence. They are ripe when the fruit pods have dried up and burst open. Usually 2 rock-hard seeds are contained in a capsule.

Once you have the seeds, there is no need to rush. They have an extremely long shelf life and can be stored for many decades without losing their ability to germinate. Thanks to your tough shell…

Germinate the seeds

Compared to propagation by dividing the rhizomes, sowing can be classified as tedious. But for canna lovers and all those who want to breed with cannas, sowing is worthwhile, for example to win a completely new variety.

Preparatory work: grinding the seeds

Before growing canna from seeds, you should file or grind the seeds. This is important if you don't want to wait several months for the seeds to germinate. The shell of the seeds is extremely hard and it is difficult for the seedlings to break through.

Sand the shell until you can see the white interior. Caution: The interior should not be damaged. You can use the following tools for grinding:

  • sandpaper
  • file
  • nail file

Off to the pots

From January the canna seeds can be sown in pots. Sowing should be completed by mid-February at the latest in order to achieve flowering in the same year.

Here's how to proceed with the seeds:

  • Soak in warm water for 2 days
  • then plant 2 cm deep in the ground
  • keep soil moistured
  • put in a warm place (e.g. near the heating)
  • Germination time under the best conditions: 6 days
  • Plant out after the last frost in spring
  • get used to the sun slowly

tips and tricks

In the homeland of the canna plant, the seeds are often used to make necklaces and bracelets. Simply collect the seeds, pierce them and thread them together.

Category:

Vegetable garden