have i wasted seeds?

Thanks barrelhse, pics would be great my seed sank yesterday, yet I heard the best thing to do was to continue letting it soak until taproot shows, a quarter inch? And do you know if when you put it under light, cfl at first, or indirect sunlight is best? Thanks

Thanks, I would just plant the seed straight into soil, and wait to see, but I like to germinate first, out of the soil, to make sure it will germinate

stonedpixie said:

Thanks barrelhse, pics would be great my seed sank yesterday, yet I heard the best thing to do was to continue letting it soak until taproot shows, a quarter inch? And do you know if when you put it under light, cfl at first, or indirect sunlight is best? Thanks

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I think the soaking is just to soften them up so they'll crack more easily. Once they sink they are ready to germ, as they have re-constituted. I put them in towels to crack because water is not their natural element, although they will open in water. Then when the taproot is around 1/4" they go in soil. Like you, I want to know what's good before I plant so I germ outside the dirt. Direct light- I use CFL's, sunlight seems ineffective unless you're outdoors ( they just get leggy).

Im wanting to actually grow them outdoors, yet at the moment, in the UK anyway, its still cold, so how long is best to keep them under cfls for, before I put them outdoors? I used to use mylar etc, il just simply use a cfl light over the top, no mylar etc. How long do I keep cfls on for with a feminised seed, as Im used to using cfls with auto flowering weed

When I grew outdoors I liked to veg for at least 4 weeks so they're ready to take off, also they are bigger and more resistant to insects. Going out a little late doesn't hurt, if the ground is cold early they shut down for a while then have to restart. Veg with as much light as possible 24/7, CFLs are fine, and run a fan to make them strong. They can go out on nice days to acclimate, but be careful of direct sun at first so they don't burn.
Here are the pics, nothing too edifying.

thanks for those my seed has got its taproot out, a 1/4 inch, so ive planted it, very shallow in the ground, and misted the soil. I have 2 20w cfls over the plant thats already sprouted, and keeping them on 24/7, and when it is a sunny day, il put them outdoors to acclimatise. I think when I put them outdoors, at first, Il just do for half a day, then move to a full day, then put in direct sulight for about an hour, then move it to extra hours, then finally keep them outdoors. Im using John innes no 1 compost, do you know what point I should transplant it to John innes no 2 potting on compost? who knew a little plant would take so much effort lol. Worth it though (well im hoping it will be in the end, assuming it does well, this will be my actual first home grown canna plant, after about 12 failed attempts lol, sick of buying crap on the street, that u never know if its sprayed with glass, or whatever, and getting ripped off too!