What To Know
- By starting seeds indoors, you can get a jump on the growing season, allowing your delphiniums to flower earlier in the year.
- Fill your seed trays or pots with the seed starting mix, leaving about half an inch of space at the top.
- Keep your seed trays or pots in a warm location, such as a sunny windowsill or a heated seed starting mat.
Delphiniums, with their majestic spires of vibrant blooms, are a beloved addition to any garden. But these stunning flowers can be a bit finicky to start from seed. Luckily, with a little patience and the right techniques, you can successfully grow delphiniums indoors and enjoy their beauty in your garden. This guide will walk you through the process of planting delphinium seed indoors, ensuring a healthy start for your future floral masterpieces.
Why Start Delphiniums Indoors?
Starting delphiniums indoors offers several advantages over direct sowing:
- Earlier blooms: By starting seeds indoors, you can get a jump on the growing season, allowing your delphiniums to flower earlier in the year.
- Greater control: Indoor seeding provides you with a controlled environment, allowing you to regulate temperature, light, and moisture for optimal germination.
- Increased success rate: Delphinium seeds are notoriously slow to germinate, and starting them indoors gives them a better chance of success.
Choosing the Right Delphinium Seeds
The first step to growing delphiniums from seed is choosing the right variety. Delphiniums come in a wide range of colors, heights, and bloom times. Consider the following factors when selecting your seeds:
- Flower color: Delphiniums are available in a rainbow of colors, including blue, purple, pink, white, and even black. Choose colors that complement your garden design.
- Height: Delphiniums can range in height from 2 to 6 feet. Select varieties that will fit well in your garden space.
- Bloom time: Delphiniums bloom in late spring and early summer. Choose varieties that will provide a succession of blooms throughout the season.
Preparing for Seed Starting
Before you start planting, gather the necessary supplies:
- Seed starting mix: A sterile seed starting mix is essential for providing the proper nutrients and drainage for your seedlings.
- Seed trays or pots: Use seed trays with individual cells or small pots for planting your delphiniums.
- Watering can with a fine rose: A gentle watering can with a fine rose will help to evenly distribute water to your seedlings.
- Grow lights: Delphiniums need plenty of light to germinate and grow. Invest in grow lights to provide adequate illumination, especially during the winter months.
- Labels: Clearly label your seed trays or pots to keep track of your different varieties.
- Sharp knife or scissors: You’ll need a sharp knife or scissors to cut the seed starting trays or pots.
Sowing Delphinium Seeds
Now, let’s get those seeds planted!
1. Fill your seed trays or pots: Fill your seed trays or pots with the seed starting mix, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. Gently moisten the mix with water.
2. Sow the seeds: Delphinium seeds are very small, so sow them thinly in the seed starting mix. Space them about 1/4 inch apart.
3. Cover the seeds: Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of seed starting mix.
4. Water gently: Mist the surface of the seed starting mix with water from a fine rose watering can.
5. Label your trays or pots: Use labels to identify the different varieties of delphiniums you’ve planted.
Creating the Perfect Environment for Germination
Delphiniums need specific conditions to germinate successfully. Here’s how to create the ideal environment:
- Temperature: Delphiniums germinate best at temperatures between 65-70°F (18-21°C). Keep your seed trays or pots in a warm location, such as a sunny windowsill or a heated seed starting mat.
- Light: Delphinium seeds need light to germinate. Place your seed trays or pots under grow lights for at least 12 hours a day.
- Moisture: Keep the seed starting mix consistently moist, but not soggy. Water gently as needed, ensuring the soil doesn’t dry out completely.
Patience is Key: Germination and Beyond
Delphinium seeds are known for their slow germination rate, which can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Be patient and don’t give up!
- Watch for seedlings: Once the seedlings emerge, continue to provide them with consistent light and moisture.
- Thinning: When the seedlings have a few true leaves, thin them out to give each plant adequate space to grow. Leave the strongest seedlings and remove any that are weak or crowded.
- Hardening off: Before transplanting your delphiniums outdoors, gradually acclimate them to the outdoor environment by hardening them off. This involves gradually exposing them to more sunlight and cooler temperatures over a period of a week or two.
Transplanting Your Delphiniums Outdoors
Once your delphiniums have developed a strong root system and have hardened off, they’re ready to be transplanted outdoors.
- Choose a sunny location: Delphiniums thrive in full sun, so choose a spot in your garden that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- Prepare the soil: Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.
- Transplant carefully: Gently remove the seedlings from their seed trays or pots, being careful not to disturb the roots. Plant them in the garden, spacing them according to the variety’s recommended spacing.
- Water well: Water your newly transplanted delphiniums thoroughly to help them establish themselves in their new home.
Enjoying Your Delphinium Blooms
With proper care, your delphiniums will reward you with stunning blooms in late spring and early summer.
- Watering: Water your delphiniums regularly, especially during dry periods.
- Fertilizing: Feed your delphiniums with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks to promote healthy growth and blooming.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flower stalks to encourage further blooming and prevent the plant from going to seed.
- Winter care: In colder climates, cut back the stems to the ground in late fall. Mulch around the base of the plants to protect them from frost.
Beyond the Garden: Delphinium Care Tips
- Cut flowers: Delphiniums make beautiful cut flowers. Cut the stems at an angle and place them in a vase with fresh water.
- Pest and disease control: Delphiniums are susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including aphids, slugs, and powdery mildew. Monitor your plants regularly and take appropriate measures to control any problems.
Basics You Wanted To Know
Q: Can I start delphinium seeds outdoors?
A: While it’s possible to start delphinium seeds outdoors, it’s not recommended. The seeds are very small and slow to germinate, and they can be easily lost or eaten by birds or insects. Starting them indoors gives them a better chance of success.
Q: How long does it take for delphinium seeds to germinate?
A: Delphinium seeds can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to germinate. Be patient and don’t give up!
Q: How do I know if my delphinium seedlings are ready to be transplanted outdoors?
A: Your delphinium seedlings are ready to be transplanted outdoors when they have developed a strong root system and have hardened off. They should have several true leaves and be about 4-6 inches tall.
Q: What should I do if my delphinium seedlings are leggy?
A: If your delphinium seedlings are leggy, it means they are stretching towards the light. This can be caused by insufficient light or too much heat. You can help to correct this by providing more light or by lowering the temperature.
Q: How do I prevent powdery mildew on my delphiniums?
A: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can affect delphiniums. To prevent it, plant your delphiniums in a well-ventilated location and avoid overwatering. You can also use a fungicide to treat existing infections.
