Virus will transfer through some seeds, but many seedlings will be clean.

It has been estimated that approximately 20% of plant viruses are transmitted from generation to generation in the seed, Seed transmission generally is achieved either by direct invasion of the embryo via the ovule or by indirect invasion of the embryo, mediated by infected gametes.

I personally believe that cannas are capable of transmitting some canna viruses via the seed. This is based on seedling production over a number of years. I continue to grow both clean and virus cultivars and harvest seed from both. This is the only way we have been able to maintain certain genetic strains and traits. Seedlings from the clean cultivars nearly always produce clean seedlings (at least for the first generation). Seedlings germinated from the virused cultivars typically produce few if any virused seedlings the first generation, but it can vary from one season to another. No one seems to have an answer for this occurrence.

Interesting is the fact that virus can be associated within the hard seed coat as well as internally. It is unknown if this may play a role in seedling infection in cannas. I have usually used a 10% Clorox dip prior to seed scarification. I have no idea if this is beneficial. It would not affect the embryo infection.

Regards,
Kent

Thank you both. So far I have not had a seedling that exhibited symptoms of the virus, but I think the bleach bath prior to scarification will become part of my routine.
Alana