Canna jaegeriana

[Darold Petty]

The good news;

I collected a high elevation form of this Canna in Ecuador in 1996. It grows very well here in San Francisco, a cool, humid USDA zone 10A. The stems are about 9 feet high, the foliage is reminiscent of Heliconia, hummingbirds are crazy for the flowers, it grows all 12 months of the year, every stem makes good seeds. The seeds are viable for a long time. I have a large crop of seeds.

The bad news;

The foliage is damaged by wind, similar to banana.

The seeds are difficult to germinate, with a low percentage of success. I tried scarification but that just seemed to increase rotting.

If you have a good technique share it with me!

More good news;

Send me your mailing address by PM and I will mail you free seeds. I will wait until Sunday the 25th of January and then divide the seeds by the number of responders. Each recipient will receive a minimum of 10 seeds ,based on order of response.

[Darold Petty]

Seeds mailed minutes ago to eight recipients, everyone who made a request will receive seeds. Enjoy !

[Palm crazy]

Darold thanks for the seeds. I finally got around to planting them in early August, a few germinated fast. Then I forgot about them for a few weeks, All my palms in the that tray died from heat and drought, including your canna. But then this week a few cannas started growing back,  One Tough Cookie.  Since then one more seed has sprouted. 

Thanks for your generosity! 

BTW: I used spring water (in bottle) to water them, LOL! Tray I used has no drainage either. 

 

~ Roger

Edited September 4, 2016 by Palm crazy

[Darold Petty]

Anyone else ?  I have more seeds now, although not as many as the first offer. PM me by Friday, Sept. 9th for free seeds.

  Please share your thoughts about the best technique for germination, thanks ! 

[Flounder]

Here's my tuppence worth on germination.

Anyone who's attempted canna seeds know about the hard seed coat and the danger to life and limb trying to use a file/hacksaw/nail clippers to pierce this. All i do now is place the seeds in a cup, boil a kettle, make a hot beverage(different cup), cover seeds in first cup with boiled water, listen for the cracking noise of the seed coats. After a couple of minutes, drain the water and place seeds in your preferred growing medium. I've used the damp paper towel in ziploc bag method to good effect. Once you see the white root emerging which usually happens in 2-7 days, pot up separately.

The hot beverage is optional but why waste a boiled kettle. 

[Darold Petty]

Thanks very much for the tuppence ! 

I mailed the seeds today to Bosnia, Canada (2), and Fresno.

[Flounder]

Could I try them next time you have some please? I've talked a good game about germination, just need to demonstrate it!

[southpacific73]

Just got my seeds today thanks Darold and I will let you know if I have any success with pictures.

[Jdiaz31089]

I got mine also! Thank you! I'll update you on how my batch does 

[Jdiaz31089]

I have germination! 2 of 12 so far today

[Darold Petty]

On ‎9‎/‎16‎/‎2016‎ ‎1‎:‎47‎:‎05‎, Flounder said:

Could I try them next time you have some please? I've talked a good game about germination, just need to demonstrate it!

Send me your mailing address by PM.  You and Chris Chance will receive the last seeds.

[Chris Chance]

Sweet! Thanks Darold. Can't wait to give these a try!

[Jdiaz31089]

I have had just about 100% germination on these. There are just two seeds that haven't sprouted. I'm looking forward to seeing how these grow outside for me. Thanks Darold for your generosity! 

[Latinmtl67]

I got my seeds yesterday  i'm trying to germinate 8of them  lets see 

thank you agan Darold 

[Darold Petty]

I mailed the last seeds yesterday to Sussex,England and Moreno Valley, CA.  If this Canna grows well for you recipients then remember my example, and pass on your seed to a third party gardener.  Thanks !     

[Flounder]

2 hours ago, Darold Petty said:

I mailed the last seeds yesterday to Sussex,England and Moreno Valley, CA.  If this Canna grows well for you recipients then remember my example, and pass on your seed to a third party gardener.  Thanks !     

Brilliant, I'll put the kettle on

[Chris Chance]

Seeds have arrived. Let the spouting begin.

Thank you Darold! I will most definitely give some away once I have some available.  

[Jdiaz31089]

I thought I'd update you on these seeds.  I got just about 100% germination.  The squirrels took some, but what seeds were left have grown into this! 

[Chris Chance]

First one just popped through the soil. I'm sure more will show in the next few days.

[Blackislebennet]

I have have acquired seeds of this species twice. I scarified them as with other Canna spp seeds and have had  good% of germination. Then, the problems start. Most of the seedlings died (damp off) before I could transfer them to their own, small containers. Bottom line- I have now succeeded with one of the seedlings, "uppotted" it twice and it already has several offsets. This species wants copious quantities of water and leaves can even burn in morning sum in the summer, here in Orange County, Calif.

 

Note: Most species of Canna grow in somewhat shaded conditions in their natural habitats. Despite the conventional wisdom, the species do not require full sun conditions to flourish in horticulture, especially in hot summer climates.

[Alan85]

Are these cannas still available? 

[Darold Petty]

Alan 85,  Welcome to Palmtalk !    Sorry, but I don't have seed at this time.   

[amh]

On 5/16/2021 at 8:53 AM, Darold Petty said:

Alan 85,  Welcome to Palmtalk !    Sorry, but I don't have seed at this time.   

Hey Darold, do you know the root hardiness of this species of canna?

[Darold Petty]

No,  I don't have a clue, sorry.   Even though this species has a vast geographical distribution, my plant was sourced from high elevation cloud forest in Ecuador.  Here in SF, my microclimate is similar, we do not receive any warmth in summer, but also never get winter temps below freezing.

This just shows how crude the USDA ratings are, ....both SF and south Florida are zone 10.

[amh]

3 minutes ago, Darold Petty said:

No i don't have a clue, sorry.   Even though this species has a vast geographical distribution, my plant was sourced from high elevation cloud forest in Ecuador.  Here in SF, my microclimate is similar, we do not receive any warmth in summer, but also never get winter temps below freezing.

This just shows how crude the USDA ratings are, ....both SF and south Florida are zone 10.

Okay, just curious on whether it will survive in the ground at my location. I have some seeds that I need to start and I haven't found much available information on this species.

[EJ;)]

If you have any more viable seeds I would love to try and grow some. 

I have a acre property that was barren when i moved in 4 years ago. 

Trying to basically reforest it with tropical plants from around the world. 

High hopes !

EJ

[Horton Tran]

You have any seeds available for this species? If not, I don’t mind the rhizome if you have extra? I’m a Canna collector and I would love to have this one for my collection. Thanks 🙏 

[Darold Petty]

Mea culpa, I have not paid much attention to my plant lately.  I will be more aware of the future seed production.      

[Horton Tran]

Thanks so much for your response. Just to follow up with you if you have any update for your plants. I don’t mind if you have any rhizomes that love to share? I’m willing to pay you shipping cost for that if seeds not ava. Thanks 🙏 in advance! 😊

[ASHCVS]

 

On 10/12/2022 at 6:13 PM, Darold Petty said:

Mea culpa, I have not paid much attention to my plant lately.  I will be more aware of the future seed production.      

Yes. I’m hoping more seeds are eventually available. Thanks!

[RJ]

Hopefully this fall 👍

[Darold Petty]

Guys, I am old and forgetful,  I checked my plant this morning and two stems have green, immature seed pods.  I don't read many parts of Palmtalk on a regular basis,  so send me a PM in a month or two.   

[Darold Petty]

I just harvested the latest seed crop today.  I will send 10 seeds each to the first three persons who PM me.

48 contiguous US states only, thanks,

[Darold Petty]

Last call,  I have two recipients, if no third person PMs me soon then I split the seeds to the first two.  

[Darold Petty]

OK, I have now three recipients, thanks to all for reading. 

[amh]

The seeds have arrived, thank you @Darold Petty.

[ASHCVS]

I have received the seeds too!  Thanks @Darold Petty!!!!!!