Most seasoned gardeners know that generally Cannas are grown from roots that are stored from one year to the next, much like potatoes.
Cannas can also be grown from seed, just like a Marigold or any other type of flower. We have grown Cannas from seed for the past four or five years, always sowing a couple dozen or so. This year I decided to do a large planting of these flowers. So I ordered several packets of the variety; ‘Indian Shot’ from Thompson & Morgan Seed Company. ‘Indian Shot’ has various colored blooms ranging from yellow to red, set on green or bronze foliage.
We sowed the seeds back in late January into one of our greenhouse flats. They germinated in about 2-1/2 weeks with about a 60% germination rate, which is typical for this species. The seedlings were moved into 1-1/2″ cells about a month later. In early March they were transplanted into 4″ round pots.
Here is the stage at which our Cannas are now:
After Memorial Day, when then soil has warmed up, they will go into the long flower bed that is located next to a driveway. The same 90′ long bed that has crocus flowering in it right now.
Often Cannas from seed will make a first flush of blossoms after reaching a height of about 3′. As the season progresses, they will continue to grow and bloom again at their final height of around 4 to 5 feet.
After the growing season has ended, these Cannas can be dug up and stored just like any other Canna and replanted next spring.
The seeds sure take up a lot less space than the roots!
Bob