In this article we will explain how to care for Delphinium, these beautiful flowers easily attract hummingbirds. Decorate your garden with Delphinium flowers. Is a perennial herbaceous plant species of the Ranunculaceae family.
It is native to the northern hemisphere, of great ornamental value, depending on the type and variety the coloration of its blooms can be light blue, purple, pink, cream, white, predominantly blue tones.
The delphiniums can grow to a height ranging from 20″ (50 cm) to 6 ft (2 m), presenting a shiny and smooth stem, bluish-gray, from which abundant alternate leaves with cordate base (heart-shaped) and divided into 3 or 5 lanceolate lobes.
The large and colorful flowers of this plant appear during the spring in vertical clusters of up to 12″ (30 cm) long, and the peculiar shape of its spur is the reason why they are popularly known as knight’s spurs, about this part of the equipment of the horsemen of the Middle Ages, when records of this species began to be kept.
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What Do Delphinium Seeds Look Like?
The seeds of delphiniums have a triangular shape, are very small, and are brown. They come from the flowers of the plant. They can be stored for 2 years in a place where they do not receive light and where there is not much humidity.
The seeds of delphiniums usually take 8 to 10 days to germinate. Depending on the temperatures corresponding to the time of the year in which they were sown.
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- Huge , colorful spires grow to 4' tall. This wonderful perennial is great along fences or as a natural fence-row. Acts as a bee magnet. I find it to be a great companion crop for squash and melons. Blue, white, and pink flowers. Prefers cool weather. Perennial Growing Instructions: It is best to chill these seeds in the refrigerator for 1 week before planting. I cover them lightly with a damp (not wet!) potting soil mix and put them in the coolest part of the basement.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Plant Delphiniums?
Although delphiniums can be sown all year round because they resist frost perfectly, there are two times of the year when sowing is recommended.
These two sowing times consist of sowing the seeds of the delphiniums during the autumn causing its flowering in spring or during the spring causing its flowering in autumn.
This would be between the end of August and the beginning of September to flower in autumn and from the end of February to the beginning of March to flower in spring in the southern hemisphere.
In the northern hemisphere, this would be between late February and early March for fall bloom and from late summer in August to early fall in September for spring bloom.
What Type of Substrate Do Delphiniums Need?
They require a substrate for seedlings, which is composed of fertile, deep, and aerated soil. The use of this type of substrate is very important for the care of delphinium.
The substrate for seedlings is composed of 3 components. The first one is peat moss, another alternative to peat is coconut fiber. This component is going to be used in 70% of the total of the mixture. Its main function will be to retain water and provide moisture to the soil.
The second ingredient is perlite, an alternative if we do not get perlite can be vermiculite. The proportion that we are going to be using, in this case, is 15% of the total of the mixture, this is going to be in charge of aerating the soil.
The last and third component that we are going to be using is the worm humus, which is going to be composed of the remaining 15% of the mixture. The humus is going to be the fertilizer in charge of providing the necessary nutrients for the development of the plant.
How to Care for Delphinium – Temperature
As we said before, the delphinium is a plant that withstands cold weather but does not resist high temperatures. If you want to take care of your delphinium you should check the temperature it receives.
The ideal temperatures for the seeds to germinate and be more effective are between 59°F and 77°F (15 °C and 25 °C), which is where we will get the most out of the seeds, while the lowest temperatures they can withstand is up to 41°F (5 °C) and the highest temperatures they can withstand is more than 95°F (35 °C).
It is advisable in summer if the temperatures are very high to place the delphiniums in an area where there is a semi-shade, on the other hand in winter if the temperatures drop too much it is advisable to put the plant inside your house.
How to Care for Delphinium – Light
The delphinium for proper care needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight to continue growing, but can tolerate being in semi-shade.
The more hours of sun we can give it, the faster and better the plant will develop. In the summer it is advisable to place the plant in an area where it is in semi-shade, especially at midday, as it helps to protect it from direct sunlight during these hours.
While in the winter it can be perfectly exposed to sunlight without any problem, but you should keep in mind that if temperatures drop below 41°F (5 °C) you will have to put the delphiniums inside your house, near a window that gives it light for the same time as if it were outside.
In case you want to keep them indoors under artificial light, they should have at least 10 to 12 hours of cold light.
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How to Care for Delphinium – Watering
To care for your delphinium properly you should give it a moderate watering, we will have to water them every 2 or 3 days depending on the time of the year in which we are or when they see that the land is dry to more than 1.2″ (3 cm) of the surface.
In summer the irrigations have to be more frequent and abundant than in winter. It needs humid soils but not flooded, since its roots do not support soils with an excess of humidity.
We recommend watering directly on the soil without wetting the leaves, otherwise, we can cause them to rot or get fungus, and we will always do it in the late afternoon or evening.
Watering can be by a sprinkler or directly with a watering can. It is necessary to take into account the stage of development of the plant to know which method is best to use.
