Paula, I sowed canna seeds on January 23 and they germinated in early May.

Tom Clothier's germination database says Canna x generalis , canna , ,Type= an , score seed with file or razor, soak overnight in warm water, sow @ 72ºF , 8-12days to germination , grow on @ 65ºF.

Your seeds may not be harmed by cold temps, but canna sprouts may be more susceptible to late frost than others.

I had 100% germination all 3 years I WS them. I was told it wouldn't work but I tried it in 2002 and it worked great. I WS more the next 2 years because I wanted to make sure that the first time wasn't just a fluke. I didn't sow any more after that because by that time I had more Cannas than I had yard space! ;o)

One year my canna was one of the first things to sprout and went through several frosts after it sprouted. Below is a pic of him but I did leave him covered in his container until the chance of frost had passed.

{{gwi:435883}}

This year I have a 1' tall canna growing in the shade of a tomato plant. Why? Because I tossed the canna "carcasses" into the compost pile two autumns ago, and I didn't grab all the seed. I used that compost this year. I think that's a good sign of the seed's cold-hardiness!

I had 50% germination in 2005 and 2006, but I did not file or score or pre-soak before sowing. They are surprisingly tough.
Northerner.