Delphinium (Delphinium) is a flowering herbaceous annual or perennial plant from the Buttercup family, combining about 450 different species in its genus. The people call the flower spur or larkspur. The culture became widespread in tropical regions of Africa, in China and practically throughout Southeast Asia. The name of the plant comes from the Greek city of Delphi, in which flowers grew in huge quantities. But most flower growers believe that the culture in the buds resembles the head of a dolphin, hence the "name".
Features of growing delphinium
Without certain knowledge and skills in floriculture, it will not be very easy to grow beautiful delphinium flowers. It is necessary to take into account all the preferences of a flowering crop when planting, growing and caring for. Fulfilling exactly all the "whims" of the plant, you can enjoy long and lush flowering throughout the summer season.
- The landing site should be in an open and sunny area.
- Flowers require reliable protection from strong gusts of wind.
- You can not plant delphiniums in an area with stagnant water, in lowlands and a close location of groundwater.
- The presence of a protective mulch layer of humus or peat immediately after planting is mandatory.
- After 4-5 years, it is recommended to change the growing location.
- The delicate stems can break from strong winds, so flowers (especially tall species and varieties) need a garter.
- Timely preventive measures against powdery mildew and possible pests are very important.
Growing a delphinium from seeds
Sowing delphinium
To get dense and high-quality shoots of the delphinium, it is necessary to properly store the planting material or sow freshly harvested seeds. It is recommended to store seed only in a humid and cool environment (for example, in a refrigerator). Germination is significantly reduced if the seeds were stored in a dry and warm place.
Seeds require a little preparation before sowing. For disinfection, they are placed in a gauze bag and soaked in a manganese solution (or any fungicide) for 20-25 minutes, after which they are washed under cold running water and placed in another solution (based on "Epin") for a day. A glass of water will require 3-4 drops of the drug. After all procedures, the seeds are dried and sown. A favorable time for sowing is the last week of February.
Soil preparation
The soil mixture, consisting of equal parts of peat, compost, garden soil, river sand (half part), perlite (5 liters - 1/2 cup), must also be disinfected before planting the seeds. To do this, it is kept in a water bath for one hour, and then allowed to cool and the landing containers are filled.
Planting seeds and keeping conditions
The soil in the planting boxes should be lightly tamped. Delphinium seeds are randomly distributed over the surface, sprinkled with a thin layer of earth (no more than 3 mm) and slightly compacted. After sowing, it is recommended to spray the surface from a fine spray with boiled water at room temperature and build a cover of glass and black opaque material on top. Dark conditions contribute to the faster emergence of seedlings. It is important to regularly moisten the soil and ventilate the plantings.
Planting containers can be placed on the windowsill. Stratification will help speed up the emergence of delphinium seedlings by 1-2 weeks. To do this, you need to put boxes with seeds for 3-4 days in a cold place - a refrigerator, a glazed balcony, a veranda. After emergence, the black film must be removed immediately. The main care is watering, spraying and airing.
Delphinium seedlings
When 2-3 true leaves are formed on young delphinium plants, a dive can be carried out. Flowers are transplanted into individual containers with a volume of 200-300 ml and kept at a temperature of about 20 degrees. During the period of seedling growth, it is necessary to strictly observe moderation in watering, since the delicate stems of the delphinium can become infected black leg... This disease will destroy immature crops.
The soil in the flower pot should always be loose and allow air and water to pass through well. After warm weather (in early May), it is recommended to gradually accustom the seedlings to fresh air and direct sunlight.
To strengthen immunity, young seedlings are fed 2 times with an interval of 15 days before transplanting to an open area. Agricola or Solution can be used as fertilizer. The solution should not come into contact with the leaves of the plants.
Delphinium landing
On open ground, seedlings of delphinium are transplanted together with an earthen clod, which ensures the safety of the root part. The depth of the planting hole is about 50 cm, the diameter is 40 cm, the distance between plantings is 60-70 cm.
Each planting hole must be filled with a mixture of compost or humus (half a large bucket), complex mineral fertilizer (2 tablespoons), wood ash (1 glass). After planting the seedlings, the ground is slightly compacted and watered. For the rooting period, it is recommended to cover the seedlings with a cut plastic bottle or glass container.
Outdoor delphinium care
Top dressing and fertilizers
The first feeding is applied when young plants are growing about 10-15 cm. As a fertilizer, you can use cow dung diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 10. One bush will require about 2 liters of fertilizer.
The second feeding of the delphinium is carried out during the formation of inflorescences. Under each bush, one liter of phosphorus-potassium fertilizer must be applied. Add 20 g of the nutrient to 10 liters of water.
Mulching and thinning plantings
Peat or humus mulch is applied immediately after weeding and loosening the soil. The thickness of the mulching layer is about three centimeters. Thinning of flowering bushes is carried out when they reach a height of 20-30 cm. It is recommended to remove all weak shoots inside the bush. There should be no more than 5 stems left on it. This procedure promotes good air circulation and the appearance of larger inflorescences. The cuttings remaining after pruning can be used for propagation.
Garter
The height of the supporting pegs or rods is at least 1.5 m. The garter of delphinium plants is carried out in two stages. The first time when the bush grows is about 50 cm, and the second time is more than 1 m.To prevent damage to the delphinium stems when tying, it is recommended to use strips of fabric or ribbons at least 1 cm wide.
Watering
Timely and regular watering of the delphinium on dry summer days, as well as during the formation of inflorescences, is very important. Watering should be done 1-2 times a week. Each flower bush will require 2-3 buckets of water. It is recommended to loosen the soil surface between waterings.
Reproduction of delphinium
Reproduction by dividing the bush
For reproduction of the delphinium flower, bushes are used at the age of three or four years. Divide the bush in early autumn with a sharp knife. The places of the cuts are sprinkled with wood ash or activated carbon, after which the cuttings are planted on the flower garden.
Delphinium after flowering
Delphinium is a frost-resistant culture, but it does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. That is why for the winter period it is recommended to cover the flower garden with spruce branches or straw. Before covering, the stems of the delphinium are cut, leaving about 30 cm, and the tops of the hollow stems are covered with clay.
To get the expected results in your garden or flower garden, do not be afraid of unnecessary trouble and regret the time spent. Effort, perseverance and hard work will make the backyard blooming and colorful.
Diseases and pests
Possible diseases of the delphinium are powdery mildew, black and ring spot. Their signs are white bloom, yellow or black spots on the leaves. Fungal diseases can destroy the entire bush if the treatment is not carried out in time. For spraying use drugs "Fundazol" and "Topaz". Processing of flower plantations is carried out twice with an interval of two weeks.
In the early stage of black spot, spraying with a tetracycline solution is carried out. It is prepared from 1 liter of water and one tetracycline tablet.
Ring spot cannot be treated; all infected bushes must be completely destroyed.
Possible pests of the delphinium are aphids, slugs and delphinium fly. As a prophylaxis against the appearance of aphids, spraying with "Aktellik" or "Kabofos" is recommended. A fly that lays eggs in flower buds is destroyed with special insecticidal preparations. You can get rid of slugs using folk methods. For example, they cannot stand the smell of bleach, which can be spread out in small jars and placed between flowering bushes.
Popular types and varieties of delphinium
Delphinium Field (Delphinium Consolida) - a tall variety - an annual, reaching 2 m in height. The flowering period is long - from early June to September. The color palette consists of blue, lilac, pink and white shades. Some inflorescences are painted in two colors at once - for example, blue and white. Flowers are simple and double.
Delphinium Ajax - a hybrid annual variety obtained by crossing the "Vostochny" and "Doubtful" delphiniums. The average height of the stem is 40-90 cm, the length of the spike-shaped blue, red, pink, blue and purple inflorescences is about 30 cm. The flowering period lasts from the beginning of the summer season until the first autumn frosts.
Tall and large-flowered delphinium - perennials, after crossing which were bred hybrid varieties "Barlow", "Belladonna", "Beautiful" and several double varieties with shades of blue and purple.
Among the large number of varieties and varieties of delphiniums, one can find tall and dwarf, simple and semi-double crops, which still differ in flower diameters and splendor of inflorescences. According to the place of origin, hybrids are divided into New Zealand and Marfin groups with their own advantages and characteristics. They have a different level of decorativeness, frost resistance, adaptability to climatic and weather conditions, resistance to diseases and pests. Delphiniums have earned great popularity among bouquets and landscape designers for their durability, unpretentiousness and wide range of colors.
