How to Plant Canna Seeds? Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Precautions

Speaking of canna, friends who may not be too familiar with it might think it is a type of banana. In fact, canna is a flowering plant. Its flowers are especially large and brightly colored, with extremely high ornamental value, and it is deeply loved by everyone. So how should such a beautiful canna be planted and managed? Let's learn about it together with the editor below!

How to Plant Canna Seeds

1. After the fruit of this flower is fully mature, take out the round black seeds inside, put them in clean water and soak them for 7 to 10 days, but change the water every day to ensure the water stays clean.

2. Put the prepared soil into a flowerpot, but do not fill it too full, then spray water on the soil surface so the seeds can be fixed in place.

3. Evenly spread the treated seeds on the soil, leaving a spacing of 5 mm between the seeds.

4. Then place a layer of fine sand and gravel, etc. on top of the seeds, then continue spraying water. Until germination, spray once every day.

5. After about 15 days, you can see small sprouts emerging from the stones. After about another week, the small sprouts will grow to 10 cm tall. After about 1 month, they can grow to 12 cm tall, and at the same time they will also show a good form.

6. After that, just carry out care according to normal maintenance methods.

Canna Seed Planting Methods and Precautions

1. Light. Canna grows best in full sun. If the environment is too dark and there is insufficient light, the flowering period will be delayed. If it is placed in a cool place while flowering, the flowering period can be extended.

2. Temperature. The suitable growth temperature for canna is 15℃—30℃. When flowering, placing canna in a place with low temperature and no light can extend the flowering period. The ambient temperature must not be lower than 10℃. When the temperature is as high as above 40℃, canna can be moved to a ventilated and cool place. Around Frost's Descent, potted canna can be moved to a place at 5-10℃ to overwinter safely.

3. Watering. During the growth period, canna needs to be sprayed on the leaf surface 1-2 times a day to maintain humidity. Because canna greatly likes fertilizer and tolerates moisture, the pot should be watered thoroughly, and the number of waterings should be controlled according to actual conditions.

4. Fertilizing. Apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting. In addition, during the vigorous growth period, apply topdressing 3—4 times each month.

5. Soil. Canna does not have high requirements for soil, but it grows best in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam soil. Fertile clay soil is also acceptable.

6. Precautions. Potted canna sometimes develops symptoms of scorched leaf edges and yellowing, mainly caused by applying too much ferrous sulfate. If fertilizer is applied too concentratedly during the hottest part of summer, it will burn the rhizome of canna and "burn it to death." During the flowering period and overwintering period of canna, stop fertilizing.

How Should Canna Be Grown in Water Culture

For water culture, generally choose a ceramic jar or a goldfish bowl. Choose a canna variety suitable for water culture. You can use the rhizome to first cultivate seedlings, or use seedlings about 30 cm tall, which is more beneficial to the growth of canna.

Fix the plant in the container to be used. If glass beads or other materials are used as filler, just fix the root system and let the plant stand upright, just like planting in soil.

If a planting basket is used, pass the plant's root system through the holes of the planting basket so it can reach the nutrient solution below, then use some coarse sand, small gravel, or similar objects to fix it.

After that, add water mixed with nutrient solution to the container, but do not completely submerge the root system. Leave some space, place the container in the sunlight, and ensure the plant fully absorbs sunlight.

Canna Propagation Methods

1. Sowing

From April to May, cut a slit in the hard seed coat with a sharp tool, soak the seeds in warm water for a full day and night, then sow in the open field. They sprout 2-3 weeks after sowing. When 2-3 leaves have grown, transplant once. They will bloom in the same year or the next year.

2. Tubers

Tuber propagation is carried out from March to April. Dig out the old rhizomes, divide them into blocks, keep 2-3 buds on each rhizome block and retain the root fibers, plant them into the soil at a depth of about 10 cm, keep the plant spacing at 40-50 cm, and water thoroughly. When the new shoots grow to 5-6 leaves, apply decomposed fertilizer once, and they can bloom in the same year.

As mentioned above, canna is a relatively common flowering plant with strong adaptability and blooms year-round. It is also very simple and easy to cultivate, and is especially suitable as an indoor decorative potted plant. Friends who like it can grow it at home!