One thing I saw in this second year of my canna seed experience is that the seeds of Canna coccinea were much more reliable than the seeds of cultivated varieties. I had six of the species seeds, all of which germinated in less than 48 hours. My germination rate among the cultivar seeds I saved from last year was about 1 percent. Some did absolutely nothing while soaking in water and some swelled up and then did nothing more. Only one seed in roughly 100 of them put out a root. The rest appeared to have gone bad. Maybe in the water too long or maybe just not viable to begin with.

If I save any seeds for next year, I'll try the hot water treatment.

What kind of file? A metal nail file? Would you use the flat surface or the edge? I don't think an emory board would stand up to the job - either on the flat surface or the edge. Maybe you mean a carpenter's file? Please - more info!

I used a regular metal file for sharpening knives, and I used the edge. A metal nail file should work, use the edge. Almost anything will work that will cut through the outer shell, but not the meat.

Lee

I use large toe nail clippers to clip a corner of my seeds, then I soak them until I see a white nub appear from the seeds and plant them.

Kelly

I got to the boiling water part and only ONE seed "popped." Now what? Should I just keep pouring boiling water over them til all of them pop?

Personally the boiling water method is unnecessary to me...I achieve max results by doing your first step hold them with pliers and sanding with a file or other means then I drop them in a jar of collected rain water. Next I observe a few days when the white nub appears I take it out and examine it further and if the skin flexes I peal the outer layer off then...and if not I put it back in the water until it is peal able. .but that step is also unnecessary cause all you really need is to see is growth (the embryo starting to emerge) and plant it as is and it will grow...All other steps are just us being impatient lol

Thank you so much! I will soak them. :)

Soaking is so Dam easy...once you scar the seed thats all the work...the water will do all the rest...the only thing after that is to be careful of your seedlings in the early stages cause you cant water them too much but you also don't want to dry them either...what I do is check on them every day or so depending on conditions and if you see it getting a bit on the dry side dip your finger in some water and let some water drip off your finger onto where the seedling is until it develops leaves cause over watering can cause root rot and/or fungus to take over

SUCCESS! So, I potted up dozens of seeds down about an inch or two in regular potting soil, in 2 very large pots, and less than a week later I was getting tiny leaves sprouting through! So I potted some more in the same pot, and now almost all of them (dozens!) are about 4 or 5 inches tall, leafy & healthy, but no flowers yet. Wondering if I need to repot a few for space, or if they prefer crowding? They are flanking my front door, north-facing. They get lots of light (Colorado) but not full sun. I'll report back...

I have had pretty good success getting the seeds to germinate but after a few months they begin to wilt and dye off. Some just stop growing after 2 inches and others after 3 feet. I have about 10 plants left and have put them under a grow light. They were in a large pot and had enough (maybe too much) water. The last one shot up a pup and both died. Do anyone have any idea what I'm doing wrong?