Growing delphinium seedlings: when and how to sow seeds
Seed cultivation is used for planting annual delphiniums, but even perennial species of this plant should be periodically updated, because over time, a lot of bushes die off, especially if the autumn was rainy and protracted. One of the ways to reproduce a plant, which at the same time allows you to acquire new species of perennial, is to grow seedlings.
When to plant delphinium seeds for seedlings?
The time when you can start growing delphinium seedlings depends on the climatic conditions. Before the establishment of stable warm weather, when it is time to plant seedlings in open ground, the seedlings should have time to grow and get stronger. In an area where spring is early and warm, you can start sowing at the end of February. If the winter is long, it is better to postpone the sowing work until March or even April.
How to prepare seeds?
Delphinium seeds, especially if they were collected independently or received as a gift from friends, must be disinfected. To do this, they must be placed in a cloth bag, and dipped in a solution of pink potassium permanganate for 20 minutes. Such a procedure will help destroy possible bacteria and protect the planting material from diseases.
Store-bought granulated seeds do not need pretreatment - they can be sown immediately.
What kind of soil to use?
In order for the seedlings to receive adequate nutrition, the root system could breathe, and the bushes could be easily removed from the nursery without damaging the roots, the soil must be fertile and moderately loose.
For growing delphinium seedlings, a ready-made universal substrate can be purchased in a store or made independently by mixing the following components in equal proportions:
- garden land;
- humus;
- peat;
- a little perlite.
The garden soil must be pre-steamed in a steam bath to get rid of possible fungi.
How to sow seeds and care for seedlings?
Pour the prepared soil into low containers and put the delphinium seeds one by one at a short distance from each other. Cover them with a thin layer of earth and spray generously with a spray bottle.
Before the emergence of seedlings, it is better to keep the pots with sown seeds under a dark film in a secluded place with a temperature of 10 to 16 degrees Celsius - in the dark and cool, flowers germinate better. But as soon as the sprouts hatch, the containers must be opened and placed in a sunny place.
Seedling care is simple and consists of the following activities:
- Regular watering
- Picking into separate pots, when a pair of true leaves is formed on the seedlings.
- Stabbing for 2 weeks before planting in the ground.
Seasoned seedlings are ready for planting in the garden.