When to Plant Delphinium Seeds
Delphinium is a dependable early summer bloomer that will provide spiky blooms in shades of blue, pink, red, yellow, violet and white. Delphiniums propagate easily from seed. Planting a few delphiniums by seed every year will ensure that you have a ready supply of replacement plants, as delphiniums only bloom well for two to three years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Acquire Seeds
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You can easily collect delphinium seeds from existing plants. To collect delphinium seeds, leave a few healthy blooms on the plant at the end of the growing season. Watch for seed pods to become visible as the flowers wilt and drop off, and then harvest the dry, brown seed pods when they begin to split. Open the pods and remove the seeds. Place the seeds in a glass jar and store them in the refrigerator until planting time in spring. If you purchase seeds, look for the date on the seed packet to make sure the seeds are fresh, as delphinium seeds lose their viability after about a year.
Starting Seeds Indoors
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Start delphinium seeds indoors between January and March. Plant your seeds in clean plastic cups or margarine containers with a drainage hole poked in the bottom, or purchase plastic seed trays. Fill the container with lightweight, commercial potting soil. Scatter a few seeds on the soil, and then cover the seeds with about 1/8 inch of soil. Cover the container with clear plastic and place the container in a warm spot where the temperatures will be about 65 or 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The top of a refrigerator is ideal. Plant the delphinium seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
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Planting Seeds Outdoors
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Cultivate the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches in preparation for planting delphinium seeds outdoors. Scatter the seeds on the surface of the soil. Cover them with a thin layer of soil no deeper than 1/8 inch, as seeds planted too deeply may not germinate. Water the area lightly, using a hose with a fine spray attachment. Continue to keep the soil lightly moist until the seedlings emerge, as seeds in soggy soil won't germinate. While seeds planted indoors will produce a few blooms the first year, delphinium grown by seed outdoors won't bloom until the second year.
Site Requirements
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Delphinium requires well-drained soil and won't tolerate soggy, saturated soil, especially during the winter. If your soil is heavy or poor, dig in 3 to 4 inches of compost or manure to improve drainage and soil quality. Delphinium adapts to full sun or partial shade. Good air circulation is crucial, especially in moist, partially shady locations.
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