Delphinium perennial planting seeds in autumn

Delphinium is one of the most spectacular and unusual flowers in any garden. No matter what is planted on the site, the bright inflorescences of the delphinium are visible even from a distance. This plant looks especially good in a group. In order to plant a delphinium in the fall, you need to understand its agrotechnical features, when to replant the delphinium and how to plant with seeds.

Planting delphinium seeds before winter

Delphinium is a rather complicated plant. It can be planted in both spring and autumn. If the plant is planted in the autumn, then there is only one opportunity to do this, plant the plant from seeds. Delphinium is planted from seeds before winter from seed collected from a faded plant. Then there is a chance that the seedlings will sprout together in the spring.

It is very important, before sowing delphinium before winter, to pay attention to several rules:

For sowing, it is better to choose a sunny, windless place. If a place is too windy, a tall plant may break. It is very fragile at the base.
If the planting site will be flooded with melt water in the spring, then it is better to plant it on a mound so that too much water flow does not damage the future plant.
It must be taken into account that overwintered seedlings do not always match the expected color. This is due to the fact that under the influence of low temperature a blue pigment is formed, which is dominant in this plant.
Before sowing, it is better to store the seeds in the refrigerator, as they really like low temperatures.

Illumination of the landing site

Considering that spurs are very hostile to transplants, you need to carefully prepare the soil for it and choose the right place in which it will grow. This must be done in advance, long before landing. In this case, the following must be taken into account: good protection from the wind, the presence of a small shadow. Although delphinium loves the sun's rays and thrives in sunny flowerbeds protected from winds and drafts, a little shading is necessary, at least for a few hours. Without this, the planted plants will burn out under the influence of the sun. The optimal place for planting plants is those corners of the garden that are sheltered from the winds, sunny, but during the day they go into the “shade” for a couple of hours.

How to plant from seeds?

How to plant delphinium seeds before winter? First of all, it should be noted that flowers planted before winter are more durable. Overwintered seedlings will be hardened by frost and will no longer be so afraid of temperature changes that occur in open ground. Such plants are not afraid of spring frosts, which sometimes happen.

Watch the video about the secret to success in planting delphinium.

But when planting, you must take into account that they will bloom only after 2-3 years. In the first year the plant produces very sparse flowering.

The seed needs to be kept at a cold temperature. It needs to be kept in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. Not everyone has the time to perform such a procedure. If delphinium is planted before winter, the same process occurs, only under natural conditions. The seeds will overwinter and germinate in the spring. This way, they will begin to grow when the time is right, rather than after the gardener has a window in his busy spring schedule to plant.

Seeds for planting should be freshly harvested. Since those that are stale on store shelves can disappoint with their sprouts. This flower does not like room temperature and can remain in a bag for no more than 11 months.

When to plant delphinium seeds in the fall?

It is better to plant delphinium seeds in the fall in early November. It is very important to wait until the first frost touches the ground. If this is done earlier, when thaws are still possible, then there is a chance that they will have time to germinate, then their death is inevitable.

The planting time must be determined depending on the region. In the middle zone, the first frosts occur in November; in the south, this time can occur in December and even January. The soil for sowing must be covered with an ice crust. In such soil, the seeds will not germinate, but will safely overwinter under a layer of snow. Growing delphinium from seeds is not an easy task, but if you sow in the fall, you can make your work easier.

Autumn planting and care of delphinium in open ground

Before sowing seeds, you need to take care of the land for planting in advance. It is better to do this when the soil can still be easily dug up, because frozen soil can no longer be cultivated.

Planting is carried out in the following steps:

The soil needs to be dug up, furrows made and organic and mineral fertilizers applied.
Prepare soil for filling after sowing. You can prepare garden soil in bags, but you can also use store-bought soil.
The seed material is laid out in furrows and covered with dry, unfrozen soil. But you need to keep in mind that you cannot cover the seeds with too thick a layer of soil. In this case, it will be compacted over the winter and it will be extremely difficult for seedlings to break through such a layer of earth.

But if the soil was not prepared in advance, and you want to see flowers in the spring, you can try another method. True, no one can give a guarantee that the seedlings will sprout. The seeds need to be distributed over the soil and covered with dry, unfrozen soil. This soil can be obtained from a greenhouse or purchased soil can be used. In winter, snow will cover this layer, and future flowers will survive the winter well.

Transplanting delphinium seedlings into open ground

Having waited until the seedlings have grown, the grower carries out the long-awaited transplant into open ground. But in order for the gardening event to go smoothly and the plants to take root, it is necessary to comply with the planting deadlines, prepare the seedlings, choose the right place and replant according to the correct scheme.

Disembarkation dates

Delphinium is transplanted into open ground at the moment when it has 6-8 true leaves . You should only replant if you are sure that the frosts have completely gone and will not return .

The timing of planting larkspur seedlings in different regions of your country varies:

in the central zone (including the Moscow region) - the second half of May;
in the South - end of April;
in Siberia and the Urals it is better to replant in late May-early June.

Preparing seedlings for planting (feeding and hardening)

Before planting in open ground, delphinium seedlings should be prepared. Preparation includes feeding and hardening.

fertilized using complex fertilizer 2 weeks before transplanting. For example, you can use the drugs Agricola, Gumistar, Mortar, Fertika Lux. Feeding should be root feeding and it must be combined with watering.

It is also important to carry out hardening , which will strengthen the seedlings and help the young spurs adapt to new street conditions. You need to start hardening off the plants about ten days before planting them in open ground. For the first 3-4 days, open the window for fresh air. Then, for 3-4 days, you need to leave the seedlings for four hours on a glazed balcony or loggia. Leave the plants in this area overnight before planting.

Selection and preparation of a site

It is better to choose a place for planting delphinium seedlings based on the following recommendations:

it is comfortable for the plant to grow in open areas that are well lit by the sun;
in this case, the place must be reliably protected from strong and cold winds (for example, next to the wall of a building or a fence);
You should not choose lowlands for planting where moisture will stagnate;
it is advisable to get creative and choose a sunny area where the flowers could be in the shade for a couple of hours a day;
The flower likes neutral or slightly acidic, fertile soils; the best option is loose loams fertilized with humus or compost.

In the fall, before planting delphinium seedlings in open ground, add fertilizer to the soil. To do this, dig up the bed, adding humus or compost - five kilograms per square meter.

Direct planting in open ground

Planting delphinium seedlings in open ground is carried out according to the following scheme:

To begin, dig up the selected area, add a little peat, humus and sand and a handful of wood ash to the soil. Level the bed with a rake.
Then make planting holes 50 cm deep and 40 cm in diameter. They should be 40 cm apart.
Mix the soil you obtained when digging the holes with compost in a 1:1 ratio. Fill the holes 1/2 full and leave for two days.
Water the holes, plant seedlings in them using the transshipment method, after watering the seedlings. The plants need to be deepened to the point where the true leaves grow. Sprinkle with soil, carefully compact the planting areas and water.

A beautiful flower garden is the dream of every gardener and florist. Beautiful, bright, graceful flowers are a real treat for the eyes. This is why planting delphinium in the garden is a great idea. As noted above, growing a plant from seeds is a convenient and excellent way to get strong, healthy and beautiful flowers in the garden. Good luck with your landings!

Delphinium perennial: sowing with seeds

Delphinium has such a property as self-seeding, but this is only if you already have this wonderful flower growing in your garden. What if it doesn't grow? Then we try to grow it ourselves.

Delphinium can be propagated by seeds, division of rhizomes and cuttings. Today we will look at sowing and growing delphinium from seeds.

Selection of seed material

At a temperature of -16°, the seeds will remain viable for up to 16 years. But the trouble is, there is no 100% certainty that the seeds purchased in the store were stored correctly.

After all, after lying for 9-11 months at room temperature, seed germination drops to 15-20%.

Large seeds germinate better than small ones. Light seeds germinate faster than dark ones.

Optimal timing for sowing seeds

In order for this perennial flower to bloom in the first year, we plant through seedlings at the end of March, April and May.

But if you want to get flowers in the summer, then you should sow the seeds a month or a month and a half earlier.

Delphínium perennial blooms 4 months after germination.

Preparing soil for growing delphinium from seeds

Add wood ash to the soil to reduce acidity.

Add vermicompost and perlite (or sifted sand).

It is advisable to water the soil with a solution of phytosporin two weeks before sowing.

To prevent waterlogging, place drainage at the bottom of the container: 1 cm of vermiculite. Fill the container 3/4 full with soil.

Preparation and treatment of delphinium seeds before planting

We remember that delphinium seeds stored at room temperature lose their viability after 11 months of storage.

Let's try to revive them.

With strong cooling, seed germination is activated.

To do this, place the dry seeds in the freezer for several days.

Stratification is carried out after sowing the seeds. To do this, containers with sown seeds should be placed in the refrigerator for two weeks.

To improve germination, scarification is used, i.e. breaking the integrity of the hard shell; for this, carefully rub the seeds on sandpaper.

Sowing delphinium seeds for seedlings

Before sowing, we disinfect the selected seeds.

Place the seeds in a hydrogen peroxide solution for 3 minutes.

To speed up germination, treat the soil with very hot water. We spill the seeds spread out on the soil with hot boiled water.

The seeds will not be damaged. While we are pouring water from the kettle into the watering can and upon contact with the ground, the temperature of the water drops sharply.

We sow delphinium seeds thickly. For 1 sq. cm 2 seeds. The thicker the better.

To arrange the seeds in equal rows, place them on the snow located on top of the soil in the sowing container.

There is no snow, we use thin toilet paper.

Sprinkle the seeds on top with sifted calcined sand with ash or perlite. And put it in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.

How to prepare delphinium for winter, when and whether to prune it, how to cover and preserve it

The unusual arrangement of flowers on the stem and the bright color of the delphinium can give the garden a unique charm. The plant pleases with a large number of varieties that are easy to care for. In order for a garden flower to please the eye next season, you need to know the nuances of preparing delphinium for winter.

What delphiniums can be planted before winter?

To achieve early flowering of the plant and not bother with seedlings, experienced gardeners advise paying attention to planting before winter. In this case, the procedure is carried out after the soil freezes. For winter planting, any varieties of delphinium are selected.

Seeds are sown in the ground at the end of autumn. Some experts highlight the beginning of October. Others confirm the good germination of seeds planted in November. When practicing the option of sowing seeds before winter, it is recommended to use 25% more planting material.

Do I need to prune delphiniums for the winter?

The plant has high winter hardiness and can survive frosts from -40 to -45 degrees. Pruning is avoided if the plant overwinters under a thick layer of snow. In the conditions of modern winters in the Moscow region, rains more often “delight” residents than snowfalls.

During the cold season, gardeners face two problems - damping off and rotting. Based on this, they conclude that the delphinium must be pruned for the winter. This process cannot be left to chance.

Reasons why flowers may not survive winter well

After winter, a person may discover that his pet has disappeared. Under the influence of various factors, the delphinium dies. There are several reasons why a flower does not tolerate winter.

Unsuitable climate

Delphinium, as mentioned earlier, tolerates even the most extreme temperatures under cover of snow. A person who decides to grow a flower must take into account the climatic characteristics of the southern regions. In winter, the weather changes frequently, and temperature changes are very sharp. Whether the delphinium will survive the coldest time of the year depends on the plant variety.

When buying a delphinium variety, people often do not pay attention to the recommendations indicated on the packaging. For each region, certain categories of plants are derived. Inattention on the part of a person can cause disappointment in the delphinium. Therefore, people often refuse to grow it.

Dampness

The flower is afraid of high humidity, especially if this happens in winter. Overwatering leads to root rot and plant death. To avoid a similar fate, delphinium is planted on a hill with good drainage.

To ensure that moisture goes deep into the earth and does not stagnate in the root area, at the time of planting the hole is half filled with sand. Other material can be used as drainage. Some gardeners prefer small pebbles.

Incorrect pruning

Inexperienced gardeners incorrectly remove shoots. Wanting to get re-blooming, they cut off the greenery at the root immediately after the flowers wither. The manipulation has a negative impact on the plant, weakening it. As a result, the bushes die in winter.

You can encourage repeat flowering and help your delphinium survive the winter by trimming the inflorescence above the top leaf. The procedure is also carried out just before the cold weather. Unfortunately, many mistakes are made again during pruning.

Afterwards, the stems are left at a height of 15-30 cm from the soil surface. The ends are covered with clay on top. To prevent water from getting inside, it is enough to break the stems, leaving them bent.

When to prune delphinium in the fall?

The time to trim the stems depends on the flowering period of the variety. May range from 1 to 2 weeks. On average, the procedure occurs at the end of September.

By this time, the warm weather outside has time to give way to steady cold. The pruning procedure is carried out in the morning. It is better to choose a day without precipitation.

Other gardeners advise against pruning. Old shoots are easily removed in the spring. If desired, a person can try two methods.

How to prepare delphinium for winter?

Gardeners have differing opinions regarding winter hardiness. Some believe that delphiniums do not need careful preparation for wintering. Others claim that the plant is so whimsical and delicate that it can die if a person leaves its care to chance. The flower is represented by different varieties that have certain biological characteristics.

Annuals

The varieties included in this group are unpretentious. You can observe their growth not only in the southern, but also in the northern regions. To have flowers in the garden year after year, you will have to try.

In September, the seeds are collected and stored until spring, when it is time to plant. Winter planting is also permitted. It is recommended to sow in a permanent place with good lighting. Planting material is placed in the ground to a depth of 4-5 mm.

Perennial

After the delphinium blooms, gardeners begin to care for it. Preparation for winter begins in the fall:

The stems are cut off. The height of the remaining shoots does not exceed 30 cm above the soil surface.
Dry leaves around the plant are collected and burned. Weeds are also destroyed.
After cleaning the area, they move on to loosening the soil.
The stakes to which the flowers were tied are taken from the site.
They are preparing the stems for wintering. To do this, follow the standard pattern using clay. If necessary, cover the plant.

Sometimes a flower needs care even in the cold season. As a rule, attention is paid to watering. Moisture saturation continues until frost begins. Frequent and regular watering helps the delphinium to successfully survive the winter.

Marfin hybrids

The varieties were bred by breeders from the Moscow region. They are in no way inferior to foreign hybrids. Growing in the northern and central regions of the country does not require shelter.

Varieties from the Belladonna group

Representatives are also distinguished by their winter hardiness. They do not require additional shelter in the presence of snow cover.

Varieties of Pacific and New Zealand selection

They take root in the southern regions. They do not tolerate cold because they were bred in subtropical climates. In the Moscow region they can withstand winter cold provided they are covered with spruce branches. After the first flowering the plant dies.

With the onset of winter, gardeners consider 2 options for preparing delphinium for winter:

pruning;
use of shelter.

In the first case, the stems are cut off and the edges are covered with clay. The root area is sprinkled with mulch. This option is more suitable for snowy winters.

The second method of preservation also involves cutting the stems and treating them with clay. To prevent the plant from dying, use additional cover. Coniferous branches are most often chosen. This approach will protect the delphinium in wet winter conditions.

Nuances of conservation

The correct procedure for preparing delphinium for winter will protect it from the threat of disease development. Many gardeners prune at the wrong time. As a rule, they forget to do it on time and delay the procedure. This will not only affect the plant’s ability to survive the winter, but also prevent the full development of the buds.

Experts do not recommend stimulating bud formation in the autumn. They also recommend abandoning the idea of re-blooming before winter. Delphinium stems are pruned with the onset of stable cold weather.

If the flowers were planted in spring, they continue to develop until the onset of cold weather. In late autumn they may be in the budding stage. In this case, it is not clear to a person whether they are ready for wintering or not.

If the plant is young, as a rule, by late autumn the process of bud formation has time to occur. New flowers tolerate winters better, unlike representatives that have been growing in the garden for a long time. This is explained by the fact that they are less susceptible to root rot.

Caring for delphinium seedlings

Delphinium appears from seeds 8-10 days after sowing.

When the first shoots appear, remove the containers from the refrigerator and expose them to light.

Temperature for germination for delphinium + 10°+16°. At a temperature of +20°, growth is delayed or stops completely.

Picking

When 2-3 true leaves appear, we pick them into separate cups. We bury the plants down to the cotyledon leaves.

After picking, water the plant every 10 days with a solution of phytosporin.

We plant the plants in open ground in well-lit areas in early May. Despite the drought resistance of the flower, the planting site should not be very dry. Delphinium is not afraid of spring frosts.

Delphinium shelter for the winter

We choose osteospermum as an annual or perennial crop.
In winter, delphiniums are pruned, but not short - it is necessary to leave stumps 20-30 cm high, since water can enter the rhizome through the hollow stem and cause it to rot. For winter prevention purposes, plants need light cover with pine needles. But generally, delphiniums tolerate our winters well, and under a layer of snow they are not afraid of even severe frosts. Usually these beauties die not from frost, but from excess moisture in winter. They are also afraid of alternating long thaws with frosts. In this regard, it is necessary to provide the plants with a dry winter. We build a shelter from rain and snow over especially valuable varieties or plant delphiniums in raised beds. Delphiniums of New Zealand selection can withstand frosts down to -25°C without shelter. However, in the first winter it is necessary to cover young plants.

Delphiniums can survive on a site for 8-10 years, but a lack of fertilizers and moisture causes the plants to age and die. It is better to renew delphiniums by annual sowing of seeds collected from the most beautiful plants. You can rejuvenate mature 4-5 year old bushes by dividing and replanting them in a new location. I prefer to carry out this procedure at the end of April - beginning of May. To do this, you need to dig up the rhizome, cut it into separate parts (divisions) with renewal buds and roots. So I got 8-12 divisions from six-year-old bushes. At first, planted plants must be protected from the sun and watered abundantly, avoiding drying out. It is also possible to divide delphiniums in August-September, but spring division and replanting are still preferable.

Delphiniums look great both in mixed borders and in single plantings. You can make a flowerbed that will consist exclusively of delphiniums. To do this, tall hybrid delphiniums are planted in the background, and lower annual field delphiniums are planted in the middle.

A low-growing large-flowered delphinium will look great in the foreground. You can create a flower garden in a “calm” white and blue color scheme, or you can choose delphiniums of a wide variety of colors: blue, pink, white, red, light blue... To create such a multi-colored flower bed, you just need to sow the seeds once, and then they will sow themselves and delight you year after year.

Peculiarities

These majestic plants bloom in early summer and then again in early fall if dead shoots are removed promptly. These crops attract attention not only with their original shape, but also with their rich colors. Numerous shades of blue rarely found in plants can be seen: luminous blue, cobalt, sapphire, ultramarine and violet. White and pastel pink varieties of delphinium also delight in their splendor.

Description of the plant

These plants include annuals, biennials and perennials. This herbaceous plant has a straight rhizome with small racemose roots. The main rhizome can go vertically down or be located horizontally.

Its leaves are 3, 5 or 7 divided, having narrow lobes. Flowers of different varieties have different sizes. In some species they are only 3 cm in diameter, and in some they reach 7 cm. The flowers are collected in racemes or paniculate inflorescences. Among the varieties there are terry varieties, and there are those that are not related to them. Non-double flowers have five sepals, one of which has a spur. There are four nectaries inside the flower. These flowers come in a variety of colors. Their pure shades of all colors are pleasing to the eye. The leaves of spur are slightly different in shades of green.

Recommendations for choosing seeds

At home, the seeds are stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored this way, they do not lose their ability to germinate even after 10 years of storage. Low seed quality leads to lack of reproduction. Therefore, very often, when buying seeds from unknown manufacturers, gardeners are faced with the fact that, while planting according to all the rules, they do not get the desired result. The reason is simple - the seeds were stored incorrectly.

If the seeds are stored at room temperature in paper packaging, most of them will be spoiled in less than a year.

Another important factor when choosing seeds is determining the plant variety. Despite the great wealth of species, hybrids are most often cultivated - varieties of garden delphinium, since they are the most spectacular.

Their impressive shapes and unusual colors are a far cry from the modest-looking common species. Varieties created by many breeders around the world most often belong to groups that are distinguished by a wide range of color colors. However, these species are also distinguished by the strength of their growth and the shape of their flowers. Among them there can be both annual and perennial plants.

One of the most popular is the Pacific type of hybrids that appeared in the USA. They are characterized by strong growth (up to 1.8 m), weakly branched inflorescences and large flowers. The following varieties have the ability to propagate well from seed, although the offspring plants may differ slightly from the mother species:

“Astolat” – with pink flowers”;
"Black Knight" - has dark purple flowers";
“King Arthur” - with purple shades;
"Snow White Galahad";
“Summer Sky” - with blue and white flowers;
"Light Blue Ariel";
“New Zealand Giant” - these well-growing plants produce strong shoots (160 cm) and large flowers;
“Little Red Riding Hood” - with bright red flowers;
"Butterfly mix" is a mixture of white, blue, blue, pink flowers;
“Belladonna” - with blue or dark blue flowers, the plant is closer in appearance to wild species, lower in height (60-130 cm), blooms in May and June.

Types of delphinium

Delphiniums are either annual or perennial. Of the annual delphiniums, the best known varieties are delphinium field and delphinium Ajax.

Delphinium Consolida

This is a tall plant, almost two meters. Flowers in inflorescences are simple or double, pink, white, lilac or blue. In culture since 1572. The varieties Frosted Sky (blue flowers with a white center), pale pink Qis Rose and dark blue Qis Dark Blue look very impressive. Field delphinium blooms in early summer and blooms until autumn.

In the photo: What the leaves of decorative delphinium look like

Delphinium of Ajax

A hybrid of the Doubtful delphinium and the Eastern delphinium, which received their best qualities as a result of selection. The stem of this species is from 40 cm to 1 m high, the almost sessile leaves are strongly dissected, the spike-shaped inflorescences, reaching 30 cm in length, come in a variety of colors: purple, red, blue, pink, blue and white. Some varieties have densely double flowers. There are dwarf varieties, such as Dwarf Hyacinth-flowered, up to 30 cm high with double flowers in purple, pink, crimson and white. Ajax delphiniums bloom from June until frost.

Delphinium hybrid

The cultivation of perennial delphinium in culture began in the 19th century: breeders based on the first perennials Delphinium Elatum (Delphinium high) and Delphinium Grandiflora (Delphinium grandiflora) obtained the first hybrids by crossing (Delphinium Barlowii - Delphinium Barlow, Delphinium Formosum - Beautiful Delphinium and Delphinium belladonna - Delphinium Belladonna), and then the Frenchman Victor Lemoine developed double forms of purple, blue and lavender perennials, which were called Delphinium Ornatum (beautiful) or “hybrid” (Delphinium hybridum), and then renamed “cultivated” (Delphinium cultorum). Today, perennial delphiniums have up to 800 shades in their color palette! Among them there are tall, medium-sized and low-growing varieties with simple, semi-double, double and super-double flowers ranging in size from 2 cm to 9 cm in diameter.

Hybrid perennials are divided into groups according to their place of origin. The most popular are Scottish (F1 hybrids), New Zealand delphiniums (New Millennium Delphiniums, or New Zealand Hybrids) and Marfin hybrids, named after the Marfino state farm. Each group has its own differences and advantages. Marfinskie, for example, have excellent frost resistance and high decorative value; they have large semi-double flowers with bright contrasting eyes (Blue Lace, Morpheus, Spring Snow, Pink Sunset). But growing Marfinsky perennial delphinium from seeds is problematic, since the seeds do not retain varietal characteristics.

The New Zealand group, created not so long ago, is distinguished by its high growth (up to 2.2 m), large semi-double or double flowers (7-9 cm in diameter), and in some species the petals are corrugated. These hybrids are frost-resistant, disease-resistant, durable, excellent for cutting, and that is why they are the most popular today. Growing New Zealand delphiniums is a rewarding and profitable activity if you make money by selling flowers. Popular varieties: Sunny Skies, Green Twist, Pagan Purples, Blue Lace, Sweethearts.

The author of Scottish hybrid perennial delphiniums is Tony Coakley. These hybrids are distinguished by very dense inflorescences of super-double and double flowers, sometimes numbering up to 58 petals. When the plant grows 1.1-1.5 m, the inflorescence reaches 80 cm in length! “Scots” have a wide color palette, are unpretentious, durable and perfectly retain their varietal properties during seed propagation. The most famous varieties are Morning Sunrise, Blueberry Pie, Moon Light, Sweet Sensation, Crystal Delight and Deepest Pink.

Landing

Delphinium requires certain conditions for growth. This is a rather capricious plant. To begin with, we will give some tips on growing delphinium in garden plots.

First of all, you need to decide on the landing site. The plant is sun-loving, but does not tolerate strong winds. It is necessary to take these features of the flower into account. It is also advisable to choose the right land. High humidity and standing water harm the growth of delphinium.
Please note that the seeds of these crops are quite capricious and may lose their ability to reproduce if improperly preserved. To preserve the properties of the crop, it is advisable to stratify the seeds by placing them in bags containing wet wipes and storing them frozen. It’s even better to plant in the autumn, when the seeds undergo natural stratification.
Sowing of seedlings takes place at the end of February. Plant seeds are sown on the soil, sprinkled with earth to a thickness of no more than 30 mm. After sowing, the seeds should be watered immediately.
Next, the boxes need to be covered with glass, on which a dark blanket should be thrown. Then move the plantings to a cool room where the air temperature is below 15 C°.
Seeds can germinate in darkness and at low temperatures. To increase germination after a few days, it is advisable to cool the room to -5 C°. Plants are stored under these conditions for another 2 weeks. Then they are kept warm. Crops can be placed on the windowsill without removing the glass cover.
It is necessary to constantly take care of the seeds. The soil should be moist. To do this, it is periodically irrigated with a spray gun. Condensation from glass should be removed.
The first shoots should appear in the next 14 days. Then the dark cape is completely removed. Cuttings should be sprayed regularly, avoiding drying out. When the plant has 2 full leaves, it is transplanted into separate cups.
After the air warms up outside, in early May it is necessary to begin the adaptation of the plant. To do this, open the windows where the plants are located 2 times a day, or take them outside for literally half an hour.
You can place the delphinium in an open area when the soil in the pots is intertwined with roots. Then the seedlings stretch freely with a lump of soil. This makes planting easier and prevents damage to the root system.
The seedlings are fed by adding humus and fertilizers to the plants.
Flowers are planted.

Growing seedlings

After the first shoots appear, the cups are transferred to the windowsill, removing the polyethylene. Each one needs to be covered with a transparent lid. In this way, the seedlings are grown until they reach it. Once a day, the lid must be removed for ventilation. Water the seedlings very carefully. It is best to do this with a thin stream from a syringe, filling the latter with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Twice a week, seedlings need to be fed with nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer with the addition of Epin (2 ampoules per 10 liters of water).

The soil

Delphiniums typically enjoy nutrient-rich soil. Therefore, the quality of the soil in a new location should replicate the previous habitat. If you're not entirely sure about the soil you're replanting in, add compost or manure. Then the newly planted delphiniums will have a sufficient amount of nutrients.

Methods for sowing delphinium seeds

There are two ways to plant seeds: sowing in a single container or sowing together.

Sowing in separate containers

This method of planting is good because the seedlings will not need to be plucked later. Each specimen is already growing in a separate container and is planted in open ground along with the lump of earth in which it grew. Accordingly, the roots are not damaged and the plant does not experience stress.

Among the disadvantages of this method is that it is very expensive: for each seed you need to buy either a plastic cup or a peat tablet. Plus, in the early stages, care will be a little more difficult.

Peat tablets

Sowing in a common container

This method is the most common. You sow the seeds in a container or “snail”. Plus, you don’t have to worry about caring for each seed. The downside is the need to pick.

Which sowing method to choose is decided by each grower independently, based on his capabilities and convenience.

Selecting a location

Flowers enjoy space and sun, so an outdoor area provides a number of benefits. However, strong winds can cause irreparable damage to them, so the use of some kind of windbreak may be necessary.

Any wall (temporarily constructed) or fence is fine.

Answers to frequently asked questions

What soil should I buy for growing seedlings?

For planting delphinium, both self-prepared soil and store-bought soil are suitable. A universal soil for flower seedlings, based on peat, is suitable. The soil is also suitable for succulents and cacti.

How can you stimulate seeds for further growth?

A change in temperature helps to increase the germination of delphinium seeds. For the first 3-4 days, the container with seeds should be kept indoors at a temperature of 10-15 C, then for 2 weeks, ensure a sub-zero temperature by placing it in the refrigerator. After this, the containers should be moved back to the growing room.

Why don't the seeds germinate?

When sowing delphinium, it is important to choose the right seeds. For the plant to germinate well, you need fresh or properly stored seeds.

At the beginning of the 19th century, experiments were carried out in the USA that showed that seeds stored at low temperatures in sealed packaging remained similar after 16 years. If you store the seeds at room temperature. In paper packaging, they will lose their viability after 11 months.

Why are seeds soaked?

Soaking seeds is carried out for several reasons:

To check their quality. You can purchase expired seeds that have lost their viability. If the seeds hatch after soaking, then they are fine and can be planted in the soil.
To improve germination. If you pre-soak the seeds, they will sprout faster.
To prevent disease. Soaking is used to kill pathogens that can kill seedlings.

How to harden delphinium seedlings?

Hardening will help strengthen the young plant and prepare it for planting in the ground. You need to start hardening 10 days before the planned planting outside. During the first few days, the plants are gradually accustomed to fresh air by briefly opening the window. The first days the sprouts should be protected from direct sunlight. Then you can gradually accustom the seedlings to the sun. Every day, the time spent in the sun can be increased by 1-2 hours. Immediately before planting, it is recommended to leave the seedlings in the fresh air overnight.

What to do if delphinium seedlings do not grow?

When growing delphinium, water balance is important. You need to ensure that the soil does not dry out. At the same time, excess moisture can have a detrimental effect on the plant.

Do delphinium seeds need stratification?

Yes, this procedure will be useful. Especially if the seed material has been stored for more than one year. In this case, the grains are in a kind of hibernation, and with the help of stratification you will “wake them up” and start the germination process.

ON A NOTE. If the seeds are new, that is, collected at the end of the last season, then they do not need stratification.

Replacement

Carefully dig up the delphiniums from the previous site. Gently separate the roots with your hands. Take the grafts and place them in the new location. Place 5-8cm of soil over the roots and gently tap the soil with your hand to disperse the air. Add a little more soil to the top of the root base and tap gently again to ensure the base is compacted. After transplanting, you will need some water to strengthen the condition of the plants.

When spring comes, remove all shoots except the 2-3 strongest ones. This will help stimulate growth later in the plant's care.

You should also apply fertilizer at this time. This process should be repeated in the summer and fall to encourage the plant to bloom the following year.

Delphinium: care and cultivation. How to fertilize?

For the first time, delphiniums are fertilized in the spring. In order to get lush inflorescences, you need to apply nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus fertilizer (with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus) to the seedlings. In the spring, peat is added under the bushes (2 cm layer). As soon as the plants gain color, they need to be fertilized a second time. This time, 30 g of potassium and 50 g of superphosphate per 1 m2 of soil are added to the soil. In August, ammonium sulfate (30 g), potassium chloride (20 g), ammonium nitrate (10 g) and superphosphate (60 g) can be added to the plants.

Stems support

At an early stage, before too much growth occurs, stakes should be inserted to increase the stability of the stems. You can use bamboo, metal and other rods. Strong winds and rain can damage delphiniums, after which they rarely recover. However, be sure to remove the pegs once fall arrives. Yellowing of the foliage will indicate that the de-staking process can begin.

How to save delphinium seeds?

Delphinium is a very capricious flower and requires special treatment of its seeds. The fact is that in the heat its grains spoil very quickly. There's a good chance they won't even last until next spring.

But there are ways to save delphinium seeds not only for a year, but also for several years for further cultivation.

The collected seeds must be dried well. They are then wrapped in paper and placed in an airtight container. You can use a bag or bag with a zipper.

Next, the seeds should be placed in the refrigerator, or even better, in the freezer. An important condition is that the temperature of the seeds must be constant! In this case, the delphinium will germinate in a year, and even in 5-6 years!

Little tricks

Take advice from professional gardeners.

Delphiniums love freedom. Make sure to space them at least one foot apart to avoid overcrowding the area.
Dig small drainage channels for the flowers. This will prevent overwatering and, as a result, the development of root rot.

You can learn some secrets about growing delphinium in the following video.

How to prepare for winter

Adult delphiniums that survived the first winter survive frosts very well in the future. But young bushes, especially those transplanted in the fall, need to be protected from the winter cold. To do this, they are covered with spruce branches, agro-canvas or even a thick layer of leaves or simply oilcloth, the edges of which are dug in so that it is not blown away by the wind. In this case, at least 30 cm of shoots should remain above the ground. Very young bushes can simply be sprinkled with loose soil.

It must be borne in mind that these perennials may die if frosts and thaws with a lot of moisture alternate too often in winter.

Some gardeners plant them in pots and move them to the basement. But this can still lead to the death of the plant.