Cannas 2015

@sal73 I've had Canna altensteinii top out at 11ft in its first year from seed, very dense sturdy clumps too, its an impressive plant. In optimum conditions its reputed to be able to reach 15ft!!!!!

 

Very Kind but I don`t want to take advantage of peoples , I don`t have much that I can send you back

 

don't you just love: Italians...

 

Another 70 seeds chitted and soaking. Just for a bit of fun I'll weigh them at 24 and 48hrs to see how much difference another 24hrs makes. I think last time I did this they absorbed 20% water by weight of dry seed after 24hrs. Starting with 7o seeds weighing 9.25g.

 

I feel so small scale , with all the Canna quantities some of you grow
I grew some C Tropical from seed 4 years ago , and got some C Bengal Tiger rhizomes from harts 2 years ago . The yearly rhizomes from these give me enough Cannas to grow and give away.

 

Most of mine will be going to a neighbour's charity plant sale.

 

Hurray! 24 hours after putting them in the bags on the windowsill above the radiator, I have roots poking through the seed casings! Will give them another 24/48 hours and then pot them up I think.

 

My chitted, soaking Canna seeds increased 46% by weight after 30 hours, then did not absorb any more water between 30 and 48 hours. I'll now sow half of these in seed compost and try the baggy method for the others. EDIT: now sown.

 

Right,who's bright idea was it to get me growing Cannas...

First attempt at chipping the seeds,what a carry on that was tried all sorts from a razor blade to a meat cleaver,no good,tough little things aren't they.I thought I'd try my garlic press thinking I could put just enough pressure on to crack the seed casing...pressed too hard and it went splat...
I'll give it go with the pliers and file technique next

 

Use a nail file and rub it till you get a bit of white lolimac I use the Mrs file works a treat or pop them in a cup and tip over boiling water till you here them popping then put in cold water to cool them might seam mad but it really works

 

Seriously, get some of these.

 

And for me, pliers and file, very easy and quick

As an up date, so far I have Limbata and Thai germinating

 

The cannas in my garden are all ok ive dug and potted some up(my favs)..also your spotty one @pete i will post it you soon as ive manage to dry off the soil and clean it up