QuestionHey Mike,
I'd like to start some canna lillies from seed. What do I need to know? Thanks, Mike
AnswerMike, I answered this question the other day. Just in case you did not receive it, attached is a copy of my original response.
Propagation from seed is a relatively easy process. Be sure to wait until the pods have matured to the point of swelling. Cut the pods from the stem and place them in a brown paper bag. Be sure to store the bag in a dry location. After about two weeks, shake the bag and carefully remove the dislocated seeds. Place the seeds in a ziplock bag and store them in the back of your refrigerator in a plastic container. After a dormant period of at least three months, the seeds can be planted.
One word of caution. If you are saving seeds from hybrids, there is a strong probability that the offspring plants will not be true to the parent plant. To ensure exact replication, seeds must be harvested from open-pollinated varieties or heirlooms. If you're not sure what variety of lily you are growing, I would go ahead and propagate from seed anyway. The odds are the offspring plants will still have some or most of the original plant's characteristics.
Good luck.
Regards,
Mike