Growing Delphiniums From Seed
There is almost no greater joy then growing plants from seed, watching what was once a tiny seed grow into a wonderful plant. Unless it’s not as wonderful as you thought it would be in which case dig it up and throw it away.
Delphiniums are a easy plant to start from seed. Typically I plant seed from the middle to the end of January. Take note that unless they are a species delphinium they won’t come true to the parent plant from seed, however you can get some very remarkable plants. If your looking to get true to the parent plant either buy or propagate your delphinium that came from cuttings or division.
The seed suppliers above Blackmore and Langdon, Larkspur Nursery, The Delphinium Society are all out of the UK and are a good source for quality English delphinium seed. There is another delphinium supplier New Zealand delphiniums I have not used them, but have heard and seen good things from their seed. You can also save seed from your very own delphiniums.
How I grow delphiniums from seed is what works the easiest for me, by all means experiment and enjoy.
What I grow the seed in are plug trays this is an oversized flat hence the extra plug tray. The plug tray I use is a 50 count which fits in a standard 1020 seed tray. My reason behind using a plug tray is delphiniums even when tiny have extremely long roots up to 6 inches or more.
Now this may not seem like a problem, and it may not be to people who I know that can prick them out with ease. However in my numerous attempts at growing them in flats I will say if you’ve never sworn in your life you’ll have added new words to your vocabulary, roots will break, it’s fickle work, not to mention time consuming.
By planting in a plug tray I’ve saved myself countless time, aggravation to include not breaking the roots of a young plant leading to more healthy and vigorous delphiniums.
In my plug trays I’ll cut out one or two cells. Cutting out two cells is easier to handle, doing so with a trusty pair of scissors working from the edge of the tray.
The reason I cut out one or two cells is I can check on the water or water the plants without messing with the whole tray.
Now you can fill your tray with your favorite seed starting mix. Myself I’ve found a mixture of leaf mould, cow manure works best. The commercial varieties I have used dry to quickly and plants succumb to starvation to quickly for my liking.
Next I firm in the compost. Don’t smash it down a nice light press will do, and you will recognize rather quickly which cells you need to add a little more to.
Then using my finger I poke holes to drop the seed in just a small depression not exceeding my fingernail in depth.
When it comes to time to plant your delphinium seed if it’s not fresh seed I recommend cold stratification in your refrigerator for a week. Also delphinium seed can be of different size just because one is bigger than another doesn’t mean it’s better.
You can get a quality delphinium from either or, with no difference in germination rate.
Putting seed in the hole I try to get one, but 2 or 3 might sneak in. If more than one seedling sprouts in the same hole just take whatever one you choose out leaving only one young plant.
Lastly I cover the hole as I go giving a light press of the soil. I’ve learned I can get ahead of myself and forgot where I left off causing me to put more seed in a hole then I planned. If you have the same problem doing this helps tremendously.
Put water in your tray, and in 14-28 days your delphiniums have sprouted.
