I also have been winter sowing Cannas for about three years - the common red ones, and a dwarf yellow variety. I sow them early in the winter to take advantage of the freezing/thawing to loosen that hard outer shell. No need to nick or soak. You will get at least 75% germination. I find it more convenient than digging and storing the tubers.

I don't have this species because I just don't have the space it needs but I would guess that your plant might want more light. The extra energy that is needed to produce such large flowers is probably just not possible in a somewhat shaded position. I don't know the light limit for this one but generally the larger species tend to climb quite high and then flower on the more exposed/brighter portions of the vine, you won't find the peduncles forming down near the base where the plant is shaded. I have read that it can take a few years to flower from a cutting but increasing the light slowly can hasten blooming. Just like orchids in nature you can find beautiful lush plants but without the proper light they may never flower, it's all a waiting game but with Hoyas like this they go to the light and when they get enough the bloom. Mike

I buy almost all of my plant material online and have for about 4 years. I just changed bulb vendors - I used to buy where I got the best $$$ because to me, bulbs tend to be more of an annual than perennial. If I leave them to over winter they either drown in our wet winters or get eaten by furry mammals that don't belong to me. If they don't over winter, I may use them again or I may forget where I left them...didn't say I was bright! Anyway, I have a new attitude since I bought bulbs from easytogrowbulbs.com. They are so supportive! I bought the largest Dahilia tubers I've ever seen last year and you can bet I remembered where I put them! They were healthy and gorgeous and I can't wait to see what I buy this year from them!! Roses, which are my favorite, come primarily from chambleeroses.com or antiqueroseemporium.com and perennials from paradisegarden.com or wayside gardens. I'm also going to try Steambank gardens this year because they are 100% organic. I'm not sure I'm going to continue with Wayside. In the past they've been great but I was pretty disappointed in the sizes offered and the quality of plants rec'd this year.

Nashville hit -16 °F on January 20, 1985 followed by an even lower â17 °F on January 21. Minimum temperatures in the negative range are not uncommon at all. The length of time that the very cold temperatures stay around is also very important. Microclimates can go a very long way towards allowing borderline hardy plants to survive. Wind exposure, light exposure, and drainage are very important. Below, is a link that discusses these, and related, issues. I've seen a number of pretty large Eucs (had to have been around for at least a few years) here in Knoxville (all in warmer microclimates). I think one of the most important things to realize is that, even if you get the plant to survive for a few years, it may still ultimately fail. In other words, know that you are taking a chance and just enjoy it while you can. Maybe, if you find just the right eucalyptus and put it in the right spot, you'll be able to keep it for decades. Here is a link that might be useful: A Discussion of Eucalyptus Cold-Hardiness