skip to main content

Growing canna lilies from seed

7 years ago

I planted some canna Lilly seeds in early August and have half a dozen growing now, but they are still all less than six inches. I don't expect flowers this year, but does anybody know the minimum number of growing weeks they need before frost in order to build up enough roots/rhizome to come back next year?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

canna2grow
7 years ago
It would be
helpful to know where or the zone where you live and/or how long until your normal
frost date.

Under good
growing conditions, canna seedlings often bloom within 75 to 90 days of
emergence and have developed a small but increasing rhizome system. Individual
plant genetics plays a major role in seedling performance as well as the cold
weather survival rate.

Generally
speaking, seedlings with only 70 days of growth would have a much lower
survival rate than the same seedling having 100 days of growth. Plants grown
full season or 120 plus days would certainly have the best survival rate along
with multiplication of rhizomes for the next season.

Kent
seangi thanked canna2grow
seangi
Original Author
7 years ago
I live in zone 7b near Chesapeake Bay. Any advice on how to store the young lilies? I am hoping that they will get about 90 days before the frost arrives. I have them in individual pots right now and was planning to simply put the pot in the basement or perhaps enclosed porch area which stays cold, but should be above freezing for the winter and see if anything re-grows. I am worried that if they have not formed a substantial rhizome, then it might be bad to empty out the dirt and cure them as I would with a mature plant.

any suggestions?
Related Discussions
Growing Cannas from Seed
Q
Comments (4)
The purchased seed should work fine. Seed is not a problem if the pollination of the plant producing the seed is controlled. The seed produced in your garden is from a plant produced from a cross and can revert to either parent or anything in between. The purchased seed will be an F1 cross where both parents are known and the resulting seed is predictable, though not as predictable as a plant produced from a vegetative part of a plant with no sex involved. Al
...See More
Growing Canna from seeds
Q
Comments (1)
I used pet nail clippers for my seeds. Make sure to file/clip the opposite side of the scar on the seeds(that is where you will see a white root poking out after soaking). I then soaked them for 48 hours changing the water occasionally with warm water. I used a seed growing kit with a seed starting mix. Keep them moist at all times. I placed the seeds under a T5 plant growing light. They germinated within 3 days, and it is now day 14 and the seedlings are 6 inches tall growing their 3rd leaves. They take off very fast. Once you see the roots sticking out of the bottom, transplant them into a 4" or 6" pots, I transplanted mine into plastic drinking cups, once they grow out of those, they will be planted outside. If you want to purchase any more seeds, get them from Karchesky Canna online, 15 out of 16 seeds i got from Alice germinated, now that is a pretty good germination rate. I also purchased rhizomes from her and they are growing very tall and vigorous. Good luck to you
...See More
growing canna from seed
Q
Comments (10)
I'm in z5 just north of Toronto Ontario (Canada). I hold the seed with a pair of pliers, and rub against a wood file until I see white. Rinse in water, and drop them in a water bottle just enough hot water from the tap to cover an inch over the seeds. I have some starting to sent up a stalk. I'm thinking if I planted them in more sun they'd bloom sooner. The ones right along the fence were from rhizomes, but you'll see they aren't much different than the seed grown ones. I started these around Easter: mid July early August
...See More
anyone had success growing calla lilies from their own seed?
Q
Comments (15)
I watched a video on growing Cannas from seed. I live in Ont. ..so I waited until the pods turned brown..almost black... https://youtu.be/ocyDPVSAD3M I opened them and saved the seeds in a dry container. In March, I took sandpaper, and sanded each seed SLIGHTLY ...just until I just saw the white part inside. I then put them in a clear glass of water in a warm place until I could see a little white "bud" protruding...this could take 1 week, so be patient! Plant them in light soil, just below the top, under ANY kind of light...I used a regular florescent bulb. (You don't need anything fancy, or sunlight)Keep the soil moist, not wet. When they get bigger, take them outside during the day, when the warm weather permits to "harden" them. (Gets them used to being outside) Transfer outside when frost is finished...usually around June 1st. Mine bloomed the first year! The seeds were from a red canna...so far, they are YELLOW!!! I'm very pleased and excited! =)
...See More
aruzinsky
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Decapitate the potted cannas and store the pots in sealed plastic garbage bags at about 40-45 deg. F. in the dark. It is unnecessary to dry the soil.
seangi thanked aruzinsky
seangi
Original Author
7 years ago
Does anyone know the likelihood of surviving winters in zone 7 in the ground? I read conflicting things. It seems like it is a question of luck - do you have a strong plant and is the winter on the mild side. Is that right?

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Canna 'Pretoria'

By Annie Thornton

Plant this showstopping lily in your garden now for the lush feel of a tropical landscape all summer long

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Cannas

Easy to grow and maintain, these showy, colorful plants are perfect for beginning gardeners

MOST POPULAR Summer Crops: How to Grow Sunflowers

By Marianne Lipanovich

Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Columbine Grows Happily in Shade and Sun

By Paintbox Garden

Its ethereal beauty comes from complex forms and wide-ranging colors, but columbine’s benefits are highly attractive too

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Plants That Snobs Love to Hate — and You'll Love to Grow

Don't dismiss these common annuals, perennials and shrubs — there are reasons they've been popular for so long

EDIBLE GARDENS Herb Garden Essentials: Grow Your Own Tasty, Frilly Dill

By Marianne Lipanovich

Flavor your food and attract butterflies with easy-care (and pretty) dill in the garden

EARTH DAY Grow a Beautiful Garden With Ecofriendly Greywater

By Greywater Corps

Reducing home water waste means lower bills and a healthier planet. Here's how to set up a greywater home irrigation system that can help

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Ways to Grow Edibles in Small Places

By Matt Kilburn

No big backyard? Join in the grow-your-own fun with these small-space ideas for planting vegetables, fruits and herbs

GARDENING GUIDES 7 New Plants to Grow for Beautiful Foliage

Add color, structure and interest to your garden with these recently introduced plants that sport exceptional foliage

GARDENING GUIDES Grow a Beautiful Fall Garden in a Pot

Welcome autumn with 7 gorgeous plants that thrive in containers and enliven your porch or patio throughout the cooler season

Sponsored

The Creative Kitchen Company

47 Reviews

Franklin County's Kitchen Remodeling and Refacing Professional

More Discussions

What to do with potted Canna Lilly in zone 5?

3

What are most effektive Medical Canna ?

1

Possible Canna Virus

2