As we’ve discussed in other Tech On Demand videos and podcasts, the key to successfully producing high quality crops often starts at the very beginning. How you and your team approach the earliest stages of germination and propagation sets the stage for uniformity down the line. We’re pleased to welcome back frequent guest Dr. Will Healy who continues to think about ways to share his knowledge and decades of experience working with growers of all shapes and sizes. This time, he's here to focus on canna, which can be a tricky one.

YOU WANT TO WATCH THIS VIDEO ALL THE WAY TO THE END, BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME CRITIAL TOPICS COVERED RELATED TO PGRs AND NUTRITION SPECIFIC TO CANNA!

Will begins by explaining the germination process, defining terms and talking about the unique laser drilling technology that allows moisture to penetrate really hard canna seeds. After establishing the importance of proper moisture management and temperature control for tropical crops like canna, he digs deeper into flat filling and seeding best practices. With canna, the trick is BURYING THE SEEDS so they don’t rise to the surface after irrigation. Will offers three options for achieving this on the seeding line.

Before wrapping up, Will spends time on growth regulator selection specific to canna, because as a monocot there are some chemicals to avoid. Nutrition is also covered, because canna respond best to certain formulations.

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO PRESENTATION: https://youtu.be/8yqSDcVf7Oc?si=TNFuZjdPR76d0NEX

Resources:

At-Risk Crops—Canna (VIDEO): https://youtu.be/jiY2XlzLfqQ?si=lKKZuszWpeWhZoVt

Training Your Team to Water Properly (VIDEO): https://youtu.be/SCPPT0IXlLY?si=qh5wqFp7dF8Xmx1q

Mystery Solved! Slime, Moss and Algae (VIDEO): https://youtu.be/Qjh0BcwkqqI?si=2pftpc_IEgJHLO-S

Starting Strong with Seed Propagation (VIDEO): https://youtu.be/cH-lbXGn24U?si=2wRz6VsYM7_NDJMS