Cannas 2021

Have you been to Kew, you get to nick a even higher class of exotic seed from there

 

you can just see some in this photo taken earlier in the year. They are normal size ones but used a lot here, for instance, on roundabouts they fill the middle with flower beds...using a variety of plants but often include Cannas
The Cannas are still in the flower box bought over from the UK when we move here 6 years ago.

that view is one from our most used room.... one side window and front door and the whole of the front there are just windows

 

Here's a strange phenomenon. I spent money. Four quid and bought some mixed canna seeds....talk about getting light headed and dizzy

 

Just a thought I'd learn you to my ways of canna seed germination.
After many failed attempts at chitting, chipping and filing which involved the loss of skin from fingertips and the shedding of a decent amount of B positive, I now use the boiled water method. You take a small container, place x amount of seeds in, boil the kettle and once it's gone OFF the boil you pour just enough to cover the seeds. You will hear the cracking of the seed coats and it only take about 30-45 seconds to achieve this. Drain the water and refill with tepid/warm water. Leave them to soak for 24 hours, drain and continue with your preferred growing method. My chosen methods are seeds in perlite in a sealed container until you see the white root then pot up, or direct into cells or even in damp paper towel in a take away container, then pot up once germinated.
If you try this method remember, you're not trying to boil the seeds, tis why you only barely cover them with boiled water. It is unnerving first time you do this but it is very satisfying hearing the cracking and then when they start to grow.
The varieties I purchased are a mix of patens, erebus, some types of generalis, some are water cannas and my favourite little one warscewiczii (pronounced var-shay-vishy, thank the stars for small mercies!)
If I remember, I'll do a photo diary when I start them in the first week of March

 

Sounds very interesting flounder , do you think this boiled water method would work on Peony and other same size of hard seed ?

 

I've not tried on other seeds so can't say. It works on cannas, as it's a nightmare trying to hold the seed when scarifying or chipping

 

Pair of pliers and a triangular shaped file, I used to use to sharpen saws, has worked for me, but I have heard of the boiling water trick for Acacias.
I'm guessing it might work on quite a few of the seed types that can take ages to germinate.

 

@Purple Streaks , I seem to remember reading something about Peony seeds and how they germinate in nature.
It was something along the lines of they only grow a root in their first growing season and dont show any green shoots until the following year.

Whether that is true or not, I dont know, but my one does self seed pretty well.

 

In nature, as we tend to call it. Seeds are so diverse. Winged type like the ash and sycamores, are distributed on the wind, using most effectively those wing-type appendages. Then we have seeds in fruits. Here we, tend to seperate seed from the fruit, dry and eventually sow. Further on along the botanical line. We have single seeded fruits. For instance. Yew, Taxus baccata, those bright red, highly poisonous berries. One berry+ one seed. Then the larger more exotic friuts, mangos and coconuts. Such seeds can be seperated from their womb-like state, but for the gardener that is far, far too slow. In the natural world. For the single seeded specimens. The outer womb-like protection actually provide, not ony protection but also the required nutrients for germination and what can we call it. Baby days of starting life.
So whether you chip or soak some seed, you are attempting to speed up nature.