Delphiniums from seed
I am really pleased with this Delphinium. I grew it from seed two years ago. I have tried for several years to grow them from seed but havent had much luck. They have either not germinated or they havent got through the winter.
This particular one is a Pacific Gaint, although it isnt Gaint like at the moment. I remember the seedlings only just coming through the winter in the greenhouse and I think in hindsight that I should have potted them up more quickly in the summer so they put on more growth. I have learnt over the last couple of years that you need to pot up perennials (and other seedlings) regularly if you want robust plants. Even if they dont look like they have outgrown the pot it is amazing how much growth they put on when potted up into a slightly bigger pot with fresh compost. I suspect alot of that has to do with the nutrients the plant gets from the fresh compost. Even when I water the seedlings with plant food it doesnt seem to have the same result.
The plant above was carefully planted out last summer and I was very strong and I pinched out the flower head so the plant could concentrate on building itself up. Now I am being rewarded with this gorgeous flower. I particularly like the contrast between the irredescent blue and the almost black centre. Whilst the plant is only small at the moment and the flower is only a couple of feet tall, if it does what my other Delphinium has done in a couple of years I will be rewarded with flowers up to 6ft tall which will be truely stunning.
I am so pleased for you. try the seeds again they are a bit temperamental but I have had much success from persiverance. However I find Delphiniums are best grown together so you can stop them being overgrown by other plants and proect from slugs and snails.
It’s stunning! Congratulations!
Katarina
That’s great! I’ve only tried once before and didn’t have much luck. The slugs eat the delphiniums as they are emerging so I’ve given up on them. They are the one flower I’m sad I can’t grow. I can’t wait to see how tall yours end up getting.
Congratulations Helen, it is stunning! Well done.
Have a great weekend/ TYRA
Congratulations! This is my favourite flower! While I may be jealous of your milder climate, I’m happy to say that delphiniums are easy to grow on the dry, sunny Canadian prairie!
Janice
hi patientgardener!
those delphinums look great!
im marvin, im a doctor who recently started gardening. i have been seeing your blog for a long time, and feel that you could help me identify some of the unknown plants that i’ve posted in a garden blog i just started. if it wouldnt take much of your time. please, this is not spam or anything like that. thank you.
-marvin md
I saw this and had a childhood flashback to the Dormouse and the doctor
“There once was a Dormouse who loved in a bed of Delphiniums (blue) and Geraniums (red)…” (A.A.Milne)
Wow – what a glorious colour. You must be delighted. Wish that I did not have so many molluscs about. Would love to grow these. Your point about potting up perennials grown from seed in good time is one that I regularly fail to remember
Lovely delphinium, I have just planted some in the garden that I grew from seed – I just hope they get established enough to come through next winter. Thanks for the tips about potting on perennials, I was thinking the same thing myself that plants are not growing and I should just pot them on.
Best wishes Sylvia
I just got caught up with your posts. It sounds like you’re having a good gardening season. The delphinium is beautiful! Congratulations!