What does the root of a perennial delphinium look like. Types and varieties of delphinium

Delphinium is a variety herbaceous plants ranunculus group, also has the names spur and larkspur. There are about 500 varieties of perennial and annual plants. Annual delphiniums, which include about 50 varieties, are often separated into an adjacent group and are called sokirks.

Many people think that an unblown delphinium is a flower that looks like a dolphin's head, hence the name, but there is an opinion that the delphinium plant got its name in honor of the city of Delphi, located in Greece, where, as they say, a huge number of them grew. Be that as it may, any gardener will agree that this beautiful flower decorate every front garden.

Delphinium flower: photo and description

Growing a delphinium is a rather complicated matter that will require work and knowledge. First of all, the landing site must be sure to be sunny at the beginning of the day and closed from drafts, as well as located in an area where moisture does not stagnate, otherwise the flower will simply die.

After landing, be sure mulching with humus or peat. In one area, delphiniums can grow no more than 6-7 years, and Pacific varieties no more than 4-5, after which the bushes must be divided and transplanted. Flowers need repeated garter so that their hollow stems are not broken by the wind. In addition, the delphinium is often subject to some other species. harmful insects. But if you can fulfill all the vagaries of planting a delphinium, then it will certainly reward you with a long and lush flowering in early summer and another, shorter, but also beautiful, in early autumn.

Annual delphiniums

Delphiniums can be perennial or annual. Of the annual plants, the most popular varieties are Ajax delphinium and field delphinium.

field delphinium

Tall bush, can reach up to 2 meters. The flowers in buds are double or simple, white, pink, blue or lilac. The views look pretty impressive:

• Frosted Sky (blue flowers with a white center);
• Dark blue Qis Dark Blue;
• Pale pink Qis Rose.

The plant blooms from late spring to late summer.

Delphinium Ajax

It is a hybrid of the Delphinium East and Doubtful, which received their best qualities after selection. The stem of this variety is from 50 cm to 1.1 m in size, practically sessile leaves have a strong dissection, spike-shaped flowers that reach a length of 35 cm can be of various shades: red, purple, pink, blue, white and blue. In some species, the inflorescences are densely double. There are dwarf species such as Dwarf Hyacinth flowered, the size of this bush is up to 25 cm with double buds of pink, purple, white and raspberry shades. The plant blooms until the first frost.

Perennial delphiniums

The cultivation of perennial plants in culture began in the 19th century: breeders based on Delphinium high and Delphinium large-flowered created the first hybrids (Delphinium Belladonna, Delphinium beautiful and Delphinium Barlow) by crossing, and then the Frenchman Victor Limoine created terry varieties of perennials of lavender, blue and purple hues , called beautiful or "hybrid", and then renamed "cultural". Now perennial delphiniums in their colors have more than 850 colors. Among these plants, there are low-growing, medium-sized and tall varieties with semi-double, simple, super-double and double flowers, having a circumference of 3-10 cm.

hybrid perennials divided into groups according to the place of birth. Most Popular Scottish terry, New Zealand and Marfin terry delphiniums, which were named after the collective farm "Marfino". All varieties have their own differences and advantages. Marfinsky, for example, have good resistance to frost and high decorativeness, these plants have semi-double and large flowers with contrasting and bright eyes. But it is very difficult to grow a marfin variety from seeds, since the seeds do not retain varietal properties.

The New Zealand species, bred relatively recently, is characterized by large growth (up to 2.3 m), large double or semi-double buds (8-10 cm in circumference), some varieties have corrugated petals. These hybrids are frost-resistant, disease-resistant, excellent cut, long-lived, and for this reason they are now the most popular.

The creator of Scottish hybrid perennials is Tony Cockley. These varieties are characterized by rather dense inflorescences of double and super-double buds, often numbering more than 60 petals. With a bush size of 1.2-1.6 m inflorescence can reach a length of 85 cm! "Scots" have a large palette of colors, are durable, unpretentious in care and perfectly retain varietal properties during seed propagation.

Growing delphinium seeds

Sowing delphinium

Delphinium can be propagated not only by seeds, but also by cuttings, buds and division, but in this article we will consider how delphinium is grown from seeds. Delphinium is sown in early March. Do not forget: when storing seeds in a warm and dry room, germination is worse. Fresh seeds must be sown immediately or stored in the refrigerator until the required time.

Planting seeds for seedlings

Before you sow, you need do seed disinfection: placing them in fabric pouch, lower for 20 min. in a solution of manganese rich pink color. Instead of manganese, you can choose a fungicide by making a solution according to the instructions. After that, without taking the seeds out of the bag, rinse them thoroughly with warm water and pour over the epin solution overnight (2 drops per 120 ml of water). Then dry the seeds so they don't stick to each other.

Prepare the ground for seeds, for this:

1. Take in equal parts humus, garden soil and peat;
2. Pour half a portion of clean sand;
3. Sift.

To increase soil looseness and moisture capacity, add perlite to the ground in a ratio of 0.5 cups per 5 liters of soil composition. Then heat the composition for 60 minutes. on a steam bath to remove fungal spores and weed seeds. Fill the containers for planting seeds with the composition and tamp it down a little.

Sowing seeds

Planting seeds happens like this:

1. Spread the seeds on the surface of the earth, immediately attaching inscriptions with the name of the variety and planting time.
2. From above, cover the seeds with soil about 4 mm so that the seeds do not float up during watering, tamp a little upper layer.
3. Gently rinse the surface with warm water.

Close the container with a transparent material, and then with a black film, since the seeds develop better in the dark, and place the container on the windowsill closer to the glass itself.

The best temperature for seed growth is + 11-16C. To increase germination, after a few days, place the container in the refrigerator or on a glazed loggia and do not worry if temperature at night here will drop to -6C. After two weeks, re-arrange the container with seeds on the windowsill. After these manipulations, seedlings should appear in 1-2 weeks, and try not to miss this time in order to immediately remove the film. Do not forget to make sure that the soil does not dry out, moisten it periodically and ventilate the container to remove condensation.

delphinium seedling

Healthy seedlings are strong, rich green, their cotyledons are significantly pointed. When the seedlings have several leaves, you can dive flowers into pots 250-350 ml in size with further growing them with a temperature of no more than 21C. The earth must be breathable and loose, watering should be moderate so that a “black leg” does not form, it can lead to the death of seedlings.

Slowly from the end of April accustom seedlings to fresh air without removing from the windowsill when airing. Let the seedlings stand in the bright sun for a short time. Seedlings are fed before transplanting to open ground several times with an interval of 14 days with “Mortar” or “Agricola” so that fertilizers do not fall on the foliage. Grown seedlings can be transplanted to open ground, when the soil in the pot is completely covered with roots - the seedlings are very easy to get at the same time as the clod without damaging the roots.

Delphinium Care

When the seedlings grow to 12-16 cm, they are fed with a mixture of mullein in the ratio of a bucket of manure to 11 buckets of water - 6 big plants. Rows after removing weeds and loosening the earth must be mulched with a layer of peat or humus by about 3 cm. Thinning of flowers during care is done when the stems are 25-35 cm high: you need to leave 4-6 stems in a flower, this will make it possible to get more beautiful and large inflorescences.

Weak shoots of the inner part of the plant are removed, breaking them off near the ground itself. This will protect the flower from diseases and allow air to enter. Cut cuttings, if they are not hollow and cut with a heel, can be rooted. The stalk is treated with a mixture of crushed heteroauxin tablets and charcoal, buried in a mixture of peat and sand and placed under a film. A month later, the cutting gives roots, and after another half a month it is transplanted, this is how propagation by cuttings occurs.

When the bush reaches half a meter in height, near the bush plant, trying not to damage the root system, they dig in 3 support rods up to 2 m in size, where the stems of the bush are tied with ribbons.

Throughout the growing season, each bush "consumes" up to 65 liters of water. Therefore, in a dry summer, it is necessary to pour several buckets of water under each plant once a week during care. When the soil dries after watering, it is necessary to loosen it to a depth of 4-6 cm. Moreover, delphiniums require watering during the formation of inflorescences, and if heat sets in during this period, then areas without flowers form in the inflorescence. To prevent this, abundant watering and bait with phosphorus and potash fertilizers are necessary.

Diseases and pests

At the end of summer, flowers may form powdery mildew - fungal infection , which covers the leaves with a white coating. If timely action is not taken, the plant will die. At the first manifestations, it is necessary to spray the bush twice with foundationazole or the composition "Topaz".

Often, black spots form on the leaves of the delphinium, which spread from the bottom of the plant. This is a black spot, it can only be dealt with at an early stage by spraying the leaves twice with a mixture of tetracycline, at a ratio of 1 capsule per liter of water.

infects plants and ring spot, which covers the leaves with yellow patches. This is a viral infection, it is impossible to get rid of it, and infected bushes must be removed. But the carrier of the infection, aphids, must be removed: spray the flower with actellik or karbofos for prevention.

Of the pests, the delphinium is terrible: slugs and the delphinium fly, which lays eggs in inflorescences. The fly is removed with insecticides, and the smell of lime removes the slugs, it can be placed in containers between plants.

Delphinium after flowering

When the leaves dry after flowering, the stems of the plant are cut off at a height of 35-45 cm from the ground and, for reliability, their top is covered with clay. They do this so that rains in autumn and melt water cannot get through the void to the root collar and do not contribute to the death of the flower from root rot. Practically all delphiniums are frost-resistant, both adult bushes and seedlings.

If the winter is snowless and frosty, then the beds with plants must be covered with straw or spruce branches. Only sudden and frequent temperature changes can destroy the delphinium, as they lead to excessive moisture, from which the roots rot. The best way to prevent this - pour 0.5 buckets of sand at the bottom of the pit during landing so that excess water can go deep through it.

You may immediately think that dealing with a delphinium, especially growing this plant from seeds, is a very difficult task, but if you are not afraid of trouble and spend a little effort and your personal time, then the results will simply exceed any expectations.

Delphinium - best plant for decor

Delphinium (delphinium)- a genus of annual and perennial flowering herbaceous plants of the ranunculaceae family (Ranunculaceae), growing throughout the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, some of the species in the mountainous regions of tropical Africa. One of the most popular outdoor ornamental plants.

• Family: ranunculus.
• Homeland: for the most part - China and Southeast Asia.
• Rhizome: racemose, tuberous, or stem root.
• Stem: straight.
• Leaves: finger-separate, dissected.
• Fetus: leaflet.
• Reproductive ability: propagated by seeds, cuttings and division of bushes.
• Illumination: prefers the sun.
• Watering: relatively drought tolerant.
• Content temperature: frost-resistant.
• Bloom time: annual - July-September, perennial - 20-30 days in early summer.

Description of delphiniums

The genus includes about 370 annual and perennial species, very diverse in appearance and structure. The height of the stems varies from 10 cm in the inhabitants of alpine meadows to 3 m in forest species.

The structure of the leaves is three, five or seven-parted, sometimes repeatedly pinnatipartite, with separate petiole lobes. The segments have serrated or serrate edges, wedge-shaped or rhombic shape. The leaf blades are often slightly pubescent, in cultivated varieties at the beginning of growth they have a variety of colors, by which the color of the inflorescences is judged.

So, brown and reddish leaves are found in flowers of dark shades, green - in light purple, white and blue varieties. The number of leaves per stem is determined by both the species and growing conditions. On poor soils, cultivars form inflorescences after 10-15 leaves, on well-fertilized soils - after 30-35 leaves.

Most species, including cultivated ones, have a racemose rhizome, characterized by the absence of the main and the presence of numerous adventitious roots. In conditions of lack of moisture, the rhizome can transform into a stem root, which has a powerful central root that goes deep into the soil. Some varieties that live in arid regions have rhizomes in the form of tubers of various shapes, ranging in size from 0.5 to 4 cm. Such plants bloom in the spring, and with the onset of the dry period, they go dormant until the fall or spring of next year.

Delphinium in the photo

The delphinium flower is simple, with five colored sepals, on the top there is a spur called an eye, with two nectaries and small petals - staminodes of a contrasting color. Such a structure is adapted for pollination by bumblebees or, in several American species, by hummingbirds. The color of the petals can be different, but most species are characterized by blue or purple tone. Delphinium flowers form a simple paniculate (3-15 pieces each) or a complex pyramidal (50-80 pieces each) inflorescence in the form of a simple or branched brush.

Some wild species have a bright peculiar aroma, white delphiniums smell more intensely.

The fruit in the form of a leaflet contains small, up to 700 pcs. in 1 g, seeds, the germination of which lasts three to four, and when stored in the refrigerator - an unlimited number of years.

All parts of the delphinium contain alkaloids that depress the central nervous system affecting the heart and gastrointestinal tract. Plants, including garden forms, are poisonous, cases of poisoning of animals, bees by them are known, poison is contained even in honey collected from them. In medicine, both folk and official, the use of delphiniums is very limited, although a number of drugs are made from them that have a curare-like effect, have an antimicrobial and analgesic effect.

Origin of the name and classification of delphiniums

The Latin name of the flower delphinium is accepted in floriculture all over the world, although the term larkspur is more common in Russian scientific literature. Origin Latin name associated with the similarity of the shape of the bud with the structure of the body of a dolphin, according to another version - with the Greek city of Delphi, where the plants were common. The Russian version, larkspur, reflects its use in the practice of folk methods of treating fractures. There is another, outdated name - spurr, given for characteristics flower structures.

The genus includes annuals and perennials. Approximately 40 species are classified as annual delphiniums, of which decorative floriculture grow two: field and Ajax.

Wild delphinium in the photo

Perennial delphiniums, in turn, are divided by place of growth into Eurasian, American and African.

Hybrid delphiniums are distinguished into a separate group; it includes the vast majority of varieties grown in gardens.

Below are descriptions and photos of some delphiniums decorative types and varieties grouped according to the above division.

Common ornamental annual species

Delphinium field (D.consolida), a shrub up to 2 m high with twice or thrice dissected leaves and loose inflorescences up to 30 cm long. It has been grown in gardens since 1572. There are garden forms of different colors, grown mainly for cutting. Spectacular blue flowers with a white center of Frosted Sky, dark blue Qis Dark Blue and pale pink Qis Rose.

Delphinium Ajax, or garden (D. ajacis), an annual hybrid, the result of crossing species is doubtful and oriental. Height from 20 to 100 cm, tap root, strongly dissected leaves, flowers up to 5 cm in diameter. Blooms from early summer to autumn. It has been used in culture for several centuries, has many varieties and garden forms, including tall, up to 1 m, double delphiniums with dense inflorescences of hyacinth-like flowers, and dwarf plants, not higher than 30 cm. The latter include Dwarf Hyacinth-flowered cultivars with double pink, crimson, white and purple flowers.

Popular varieties:

Russian size;

Messenger White.

Blue, pink, blue delphinium varieties:

delphinium astolat.

The largest number of species is included in the Eurasian group, some are used in decorative floriculture.

Among them:

Delphinium high (D. elatum L), a native of the northern mountains of Europe, Siberia and Mongolia, up to 1.5 m high with bare or slightly pubescent stems, and blue flowers collected in sparse brushes. In culture since 1578, often used to create hybrids. There is a giant form up to 3 m high.

Delphinium labiate (D. cheilanthum Fischer), another plant of northern origin, which is the progenitor of cultivars. Height is from 45 to 95 cm, the stems are bare, the leaves are green above, gray below, densely pubescent. blue flowers form a simple brush.

Delphinium grandiflorum or Chinese(D. grandiflorum L., D. chinensis), grows in Eastern Siberia, Korea, China, Mongolia. The plant has straight, often branched stems from 20 to 50-80 cm high, with white pubescence, leaves tripartitely divided into narrow lobes and large bright blue, sometimes white or pink flowers. Simple and terry forms are grown in gardens, the undersized, up to 30 cm, Blauer Zwerg variety is popular.

In rocky gardens, undersized delphiniums are used:

blue (D.glaucum), not higher than 40 cm, with large cornflower blue flowers with a black eye, not winter-hardy, but easily renewed by self-sowing;

Kashmiri (D. cashmerianum), light purple with a black eye, 20-40 cm tall, with garden forms of various colors;

short-spurred (D. brachycentrum Ledeb), 15-30 cm high, with dense adpressed pubescence and a few large blue flowers.

Of the American species, we note:

delphiniums red (D. cardinale);

To the group African species applies delphinium macrospur (D. macrocentrum Oliv.) with semi-closed blue-green flowers, cultivated in England and Sweden.

Hybrid groups and common varieties

To hybrid delphiniums include all varieties obtained by crossing different members of the genus. They are grouped into two types:

Delphinium Belladonna (D. belladonna Bergmans), varieties that appeared in the 19th century, hybrids of large-flowered and labial species. They are characterized by low (up to 1.5 m) growth, deeply dissected leaves and branched paniculate inflorescences with simple, non-double flowers. Most of the varieties included in the group are blue and blue delphiniums. of blue color(Piccolo, Capri, Arnold Böcklin),

Some are white delphiniums:

Connecticut Junkies;

Casablanca;

Delphinium cultural (Delphinium cultorum Voss), includes other varieties bred by hybridization of tall, large-flowered, Barlow delphiniums. These are plants with a height of 20 to 150 cm with simple, semi-double and double flowers of various colors, collected in pyramidal brushes. The following groups of hybrids are distinguished:

Pacific (pacific), 12 famous varieties, created by the American Reyneld in 1934-1940, are distinguished by a powerful, up to 2 m, leafy bush and dense pyramidal inflorescences up to 1 m long with semi-double large flowers. Seedlings transmit the hereditary traits of their parents, which at one time contributed to the rapid spread of culture in ornamental gardens. In conditions middle lane delphiniums are not winter hardy enough, they are used as biennials. Popular delphiniums:

Genevieve with pink flowers;

purple King Arthur and Black Knight;

white delphinium Galahad and others.

new zealand delphiniums, bred in our time by the New Zealand breeder Ted Dowdswell. One of the most modern and popular groups of F1 hybrids with very large double and semi-double flowers collected in dense brushes, frost-resistant and durable. Varieties of delphiniums of this group:

white Innocence;

Double Innocence (terry);

pink `Blushing Brides, `Sweethearts and Dusky Maidens;

blue Royal Aspirations, `Blue Lace, Pagan Purples and others.

Marfinskie, created by the breeder Malyutin in the village of Marfino, Moscow Region, adapted to the conditions of the middle lane, have strong stems up to 2 m high, dense inflorescences with large semi-double flowers. Common varieties of pale pink delphiniums:

Pink sunset;

Blue Venus;

Blue lace;

White - Daughter of winter;

Violet - Morpheus.

Elatum, group hybrid varieties high delphinium, among them blue delphiniums:

Abgesang;

Lanzentreger;

Finsteraarhorn;

Blue Amethyst;

perlmutrbaum

White - Lady Belinda.

Choosing plants for designer planting on flower beds summer cottages and parks, gardeners often stop at the delphinium.

It is distinguished by unpretentiousness in care and external beauty, which will allow you to grow a delphinium in a variety of conditions.

A bit of history

Delphinium (Delphinium) is also called spur and larkspur. The latter is often found in colloquial speech. There are several versions of the appearance of such a name.

Some scientists talk about the similarity of an unblown flower with a dolphin, others note that in ancient Greece a huge number of delphiniums were found in the city of Delphi, where the temple of Apollo Delphic was located and the Delphic oracle lived. In Russia, the word "spur" comes from the similarity of the outgrowth appendage with a cavalry spur.

The name larkspur is a reference to the meaning of the plant in folk medicine: the tincture of the flower was used to heal wounds.

Interesting: in Russia, the name "delphinium" is usually used in fiction.

In total, about 450 species are known, of which 100 species grow in Russia, among them the most popular are high perennial larkspur and annual field larkspur. The flower is common in northern countries and the African tropics, many species grow in Asia, mainly in China.

It should be noted that the specified number of species is not accurate: due to the huge number of varieties and the difficulty in identifying common features, some authors identify up to 1.2 thousand flower varieties. Other species are so few that they are in danger of extinction.

general information

Delphinium belongs to the Buttercup family. Its dimensions are very diverse: some dwarf varieties do not grow more than 10 cm, other giant species reach 2.5-3 meters.

The stem is hollow inside, the leaves are large, dark green, sharp at the ends. Flowers consist of 5 petals, one of which has the spike indicated above. Petals can grow in one or more rows, they are simple and terry.

The inflorescence itself consists of several dozen flowers: in primitive species, the number does not exceed 15 pieces, in more developed ones it reaches 80 pieces. In this case, the length of the inflorescence can reach a meter in length. Thanks to the heavy brushes in which small flowers, the spur looks very beautiful and noble.

It is especially worth noting the color diversity of the delphinium: despite the fact that blue and blue shades, in the gardens you can see purple, lilac, white and even pink, red or black flowers. See the variety of species and choose the most suitable option can be in the photo.

In the wild, the delphinium mainly grows in the mountains and easily tolerates low, up to -20 degrees, temperatures. Other varieties, on the contrary, are heat-resistant and not demanding on dryness. cultivars have all the advantages of wild "brothers".

Application

Basically, the spur is used in ornamental horticulture: the Royal Horticultural Society has been breeding it since the 17th century. Also, some varieties were used as dyes.

Some species have also proven themselves in medicine as painkillers and antimicrobials. They are also used as relaxants to increase muscle tone during nervous diseases: Parkinson's disease, traumatic paralysis, multiple sclerosis.

It is important to know: It must be remembered that the spur is poisonous plant which should never be used on its own.

In folk recipes, the flower is used for female, genitourinary or venereal diseases, digestive diseases, enlarged liver, jaundice, inflammation or pus of the eye.

Popular types

Delphinium Leroy

Distinguish between annuals and perennial varieties, however, most gardeners prefer the latter, as they do not require an annual "update". Among the most popular, it is worth noting spurs with unusual flower colors:

1. Delphinium "Leroy". Heat-loving plant, characterized by a sweet smell and a greenish tint.
2. Delphinium "Astolat". It has large double and semi-double pink flowers.
3. Terry delphinium. Blooms from late spring to late summer. Through selection, you can find black, red and yellow shades.
4. Kashmir delphinium. It has purple flowers with a black center.
5. Delphinium "King Arthur". The owner of dark blue flowers with a white center.
6. labial delphinium. A plant of an unusual color: its petals have blue-green and gray shades.
7. Delphinium "Bruno". It has blue-violet petals, but does not tolerate frost well.
8. Holostem delphinium. Low, no more than a meter in height, a variety with red-orange flowers. It is extremely thermophilic, it is best to grow it in pots and clean it for the winter in a warm place.

It is also worth noting the varieties "Waltz", "Ocean" and "Butterfly", the hybrid "Belladonna", the giant "Summer Sky", "Blue Lace", snow-white "Galahad", light pink "Caroline". Their descriptions are easy to find on garden center websites.

No less popular undersized varieties:

1. "Naples". Plant height up to 1.2 meters with large purple flowers;
2. blue delphinium. Low, up to a meter, a plant that is best grown in pots. The flowers are deep blue with a black center. Extremely thermophilic, for the winter it is necessary to clean it;
3. rare delphinium. It grows up to 75 cm, blooms in the second half of summer, the flowers are quite rare;
4. Short-spured delphinium. This is a frost-resistant plant up to 30 cm high. Distributed in Alaska, the Arctic and northern Russia.

It is worth noting the pyramidal delphinium - due to its unpretentiousness, the variety is extremely popular and widespread. It endures up to 20 degrees of frost, and its roots are able to take root even on poor stony soils. Flowering occurs from July to September. Delphinium "Sweethearts" is no less in demand, as well as all New Zealand varieties with excellent health and unpretentiousness.

Landing

Despite the unpretentiousness, it is best to plant a flower in neutral, fertile soil. Acidic lands will not work: if the selected area is such, it is worth adding a little lime in the fall or dolomite flour to remove excess acid. It will also be useful to make manure or.

Spurs love warmth and sunlight, but the wind can be a problem: because of the thin leaves, the plant can break down with strong gusts. You will need to tie the stems or plant them next to the shelter.

Note: trees and bushes will not work as a shelter - they will pull all the nutrients, which will negatively affect the growth of the delphinium.

In autumn, it is necessary to dig up the soil and fertilize it. mineral fertilizers. Planting sprouts must be done in April-May, when the frosts have passed. If the choice fell on frost-resistant varieties, you can plant them earlier. Usually, sprouts with several leaves are planted in open ground.

Consider the procedure for planting a delphinium in open ground:

1. It is necessary to dig a hole in the ground with a depth and diameter of about 40-50 cm, the distance between the holes should be about 60-70 cm;
2. You need to mix half a bucket of compost, 2 tablespoons complex fertilizer and a glass of ash with earth and fill the pit completely;
3. In the resulting land, you need to make a small depression, plant a seedling in it and tamp the ground, then water it.

If the seedlings are small and weak, it is necessary to cover them with the cut tops of plastic bottles with removed covers. This will help create a greenhouse effect. After 2-3 weeks, when the delphinium takes root and begins to grow, the bottles are removed.

Basic care

Despite the fact that the spur is not particularly whimsical, it requires certain conditions to be met that will allow you to get an excellent result:

1. Delphinium requires regular but moderate watering 1-2 times a week, 2-3 buckets of water per adult plant. If the summer is rainy, watering can be completely excluded.
2. Delphinium will require 3 feedings over the summer. At the end of April, for example, a solution of a bucket of cow dung in 10 buckets of water is needed - this will help enhance growth and development. In early summer, when buds begin to appear, potash and phosphorus fertilizers will be required with a small amount nitrogen. The last time top dressing is necessary after the fall of the flowers. It is necessary to use potash and phosphorus mixtures without nitrogen content - this will help to achieve seed maturation.
3. It is necessary to thin out the delphinium when the plant reaches 20-30 cm. 3-5 stems are left on one bush, removing the rest. This will form a beautiful large-flowered hat. The excess is cut off near the ground itself.

Gardener's advice: timely thinning will not only improve the appearance of the bush, but also help to remove infected or weak areas.

1. In order for the delphinium not to break, it is necessary to put a support for it: it is installed when the flower reaches half a meter in height. It is tied up after reaching a height of one meter. The height of the support should exceed the flower itself and be no shorter than 1.8-2 meters.
2. If seeds are not needed, after the end of flowering, it is worth cutting the stems at a height of about 30 cm, without waiting for the seeds to form. After pruning, so that water does not get into the hollow stems, the cut is smeared with clay. You can also leave the delphinium without pruning and just collect the seeds.

Wintering

Spur is hardy plant and easily worried mild winters without much pretense.

Before the start of the autumn rains, the cut should be smeared with clay so that the water that gets in does not cause rot.

For the winter, the beds should be covered with spruce branches or straw. It is much more dangerous for a plant to change temperatures and melt snow, as rhizomes may suffer.

To avoid this, it is worth adding sand or broken stone before planting in the pit: this will help to remove excess moisture.

Low plants planted in pots, it is enough to bring them into a cool, snow-protected room.

reproduction

You can grow it in different ways:

1. With the help of seeds. After harvest, the seeds retain excellent germination properties for 4 years, but after that they are practically useless. Before planting, it is necessary to place the seeds in the cold for several weeks, for example, in the vegetable section of the refrigerator - this will help to harden the seeds. Then I plant them in a container using the standard peat soil. Delphinium seeds do not need much deepening, it is enough to lightly sprinkle them with earth and pour them from a spray bottle. Glass must be placed on the container to create the effect of a greenhouse.

After a few days, when the seeds germinate and sprouts appear, they can be thinned out. In early May, they can be planted in open ground.

1. With the help of division. Carried out after the second flowering. In autumn, after pruning, the bush is carefully dug up and divided into 2 parts, the places of cuts are sprinkled with ash or coal and buried again at a distance from each other.
2. With the help of cuttings. The procedure has its own subtleties and is mainly carried out in the middle of spring or autumn, when the delphinium does not bloom. To do this, cut off a part of the cutting (about 15 cm) with a piece of root (about 2-3 cm) with a sharp tool. It is transplanted into a separate hole or tub and watered abundantly until the spur takes root.

You may also be interested in the article on caring for dracaena at home:

Good to know: after division, the flower can weaken and get sick, and bacteria can penetrate through the cut - for this, it is recommended to sprinkle the cut with crushed coal.

The latter option is preferred for several reasons:

1. Being part of a bush, the cutting is used to the terrain and adapts to it more easily;
2. The main bush practically does not suffer from division, if it is protected from infection;
3. In this way, you can easily grow a delphinium in one place, constantly updating the bushes.

In order for reproduction to go smoothly, you should watch a video on how this is done in advance.

Diseases and pests

Any problems are easier to prevent than to treat. The delphinium has few enemies, timely care and prevention will help get rid of them. Among the enemies of the plant stand out:

1. Fungal diseases: powdery mildew and leaf ramularia. To prevent, it is necessary to monitor the absence of excess water and carry out spraying.

1. Bacteriological diseases: black and ring spot. If affected leaves and branches are found, they must be immediately removed and the leaves sprayed.
2. Pests: among insects, aphids, the delphinium fly and various caterpillars that devour leaves and seeds are especially harmful. To combat them, insecticides must be used.

Despite some difficulties in care, the delphinium remains quite popular and in demand in gardening. Thanks to large and bright colors spur is often found in the landscape of parks and summer cottages. Before buying seeds, you should look at the pictures in advance to choose the option you like best.

What varieties are best for planting in your garden, see the following video:

Delphinium is a delicate and graceful flower culture of the buttercup family. Luxurious look delphinium successfully combines with other flowering plants in the summer garden.

The spectacular inflorescences of the bush have a complex pyramidal or cylindrical brush. An adult plant often reaches 2-2.5 m in height, while the length of the stem with flowers is from 60 to 80 cm.

The plant gives simple, semi-double or double flowers, the diameter of which is about 7 cm. The delphinium blooms from July to mid-August.

Delphinium inflorescences are purple, bright blue, blue and white color, sometimes found pink shades. The leaves of the plant are also beautiful and unusual - they are dissected into serrated-pointed slices and decorate the long stem of the plant very much.

Factors for the successful cultivation and flowering of the delphinium in the garden

So that this beautiful flower pleases its owner and surprises others with abundant and regular flowering, you should create favorable conditions for the flower to live:

• the place to plant the plant should be sunny, however, direct sunlight throughout the day can kill the plant. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that the selected area is slightly shaded, especially at noon. For example, a plant feels comfortable under a tree or next to tall bush, near the fence or near the wall of the house;
• the soil where the delphinium grows, it is advisable to loosen and fertilize more often. Heavy clay soil must be diluted with sand and humus;
• delphinium quite easily tolerates drought and does not like excess moisture in the ground, however, during the laying of inflorescences, the plant should be watered abundantly;

The only weak point of the delphinium is its fragility. In order not to lose a beautiful flowering pyramid of flowers, the plant must be tied up. Strong wind, downpour, heavy inflorescences can destroy the bush.

A particularly vulnerable spot is the junction of the stem and rhizome. Therefore, if the gardener does not want to see a broken two-meter stem of the delphinium, it is best to tie up the bush in advance. The first garter should be made at the level of half a meter from the ground, the next - at the level of 1-1.2 m.

Plant nutrition

Delphinium is very sensitive to feeding and responds to care large flowers and brightness of colors. The plant should be fed 3 times during the warm period of the year. The first top dressing should be done in early spring, when the first tender leaves of a flower crop appear from the ground.

Must be purchased ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride and ammonium sulfate. Fertilizers should be mixed and scattered on the soil around the plants. Then water the soil a little. Can these be replaced chemical fertilizers the usual infusion of mullein.

The second dressing must be done when the inflorescences are formed. During this period of time, the plant needs superphosphate and potassium.

The third feeding is carried out after the delphinium gradually fades. In September, delphinium bushes should be pleased with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers without nitrogen. The plant will gain strength for growth and flowering next year.

How to propagate delphinium

Delphiniums look great if rarely planted. In a composition with other colors, they do not lose their charm. However, if they are planted in a large clearing and bloom at the same time, this is an unforgettable sight for others.

That is why many flower lovers dream of propagating this graceful flower. Delphiniums breed as follows:

• with the help of seeds;
• young cuttings;
• kidneys (the most laborious and not reliable way);
• division of an adult bush.

Propagation with seeds

You can collect seeds from already growing plants, you can also buy ready-made seeds from trusted suppliers.

Important - delphinium seed material must be used the next year after harvest, after which the seeds completely lose their germination capacity. In addition, it is necessary to store the seeds after collection in the refrigerator. It is necessary to plant them in February in seedling cassettes.

Reproduction by young cuttings

For this type of reproduction, young shoots of the plant should be used. In the spring, you should choose strong healthy shoots of a bush about 12-15 cm long.

It is necessary to break off the cutting with a "heel" at the base of the plant, put it in water for 1-2 days, and then root it in a greenhouse in a well-lit place.

If the cutting has taken root, after about a month it can be transferred to open ground. This is the most reliable breeding method, giving a 70-80% success rate.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Adult delphinium bushes can be divided into separate roots. To do this, in the spring it is necessary to dig a bush from the ground, wash the rhizome with water. Then, with a sharp knife, separate the cuttings of the plant so that each separated bush has a sufficient amount of the root system.

Holes should be prepared on the selected bed. The earth must be fertilized with humus, peat and wood ash. After planting, you should regularly moisten and loosen the soil next to the plant.

Beautiful strong delphiniums are a real decoration of the backyard. They look great along garden paths, you can decorate flower beds or landscape corners with them. The care and reproduction of delphiniums will not take much time and effort.

But as a result, you can proudly enjoy their lush flowering, and this will be the wonderful result of the garden improvement work.

Photo of the delphinium on the site

herbaceous plant of the buttercup family. This genus includes more than 400 species, annual and perennial flowers. We will consider the delphinium growing from seeds precisely perennial flower. Let us briefly analyze the main types that are grown at home, gardens and greenhouses.

Another name for the delphinium: spur, or larkspur. In nature, it is found in China, Asia, tropical forests and mountains of Africa. With its luxurious flowering, it attracts a large number of gardeners. Depending on the conditions and variety, the delphinium blooms different colors and coloration.

The lifespan of perennial flowers is no more than 6 years, then it is necessary to plant the bush by division. In the presence of wind, the stems can break, they need to be tied to supports. Flowering usually takes place in early June, but often when favorable conditions, briefly repeated in September.

Lighting and location: Delphinium is grown in open areas (area near the house) and in greenhouses. The main conditions for an open area are the sunny side, but with the possibility of shading in the summer at lunchtime, the most comfortable place from the winds and the presence of a drainage system if there is a threat of prolonged stagnation of water.

Delphinium propagation - growing from seeds

There are several ways to propagate a delphinium flower: seeds, cuttings, buds, dividing the bush. We will touch on all methods, but we will talk in more detail about the method of growing from delphinium seeds. The superiority lies in an interesting and fascinating process, which, unlike other methods, we will dwell on in more detail through a number of features.

• seeds Sow seeds at the end of winter (second half of February). It is necessary to keep the seeds in a humid place at a temperature of 5-10 ° C, otherwise most of the sprouts will not sprout.

Prior to sowing, the grains are disinfected from possible pest infestations. The seeds are placed in a gauze bag and dipped for 15-20 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, or a fungicide. Then rinse under running water and dip in epin solution for 12 hours. Rinse again under water and dry slightly.

Epin solution recipe: 3-5 drops per 100 ml of boiled, settled water.

Soil: Peat, humus, garden soil and sand, in equal proportions. For a looser substance, add perlite (100 grams per 5 liters of prepared soil) and distribute the earth into small containers for future shoots.



Planting seeds: Sow the seeds evenly in bowls, lightly covering up to 5 mm with a sifted layer of soil. Lightly compact the top layer and gently water the first time. Use a spray bottle to keep the seeds from floating. Water is taken soft, or settled at room temperature.

Cover the seed bowls with glass jars and dark material on top. In the dark, the seeds germinate much faster and more intensively. Keep the temperature at 10-12°C and keep the soil moist at all times. If you cannot reach the specified temperature conditions, place the seed containers in the refrigerator.

After 10-15 days, the first shoots should appear. It is necessary to follow the process, and at the first appearances, open the shoots by removing glass jars or film. If you are planting several varieties at once, place a tag with the inscription next to it.

Transplantation: By appearance, healthy and weak sprouts can be determined. In healthy ones, the color is dark green, and the cotyledons are pointed. As soon as 3 leaves appear, young sprouts dive into small pots and raise the temperature of the content to 18-20 ° C. Use the same components for the soil with the addition of 0.5 hours of leaf. The mixture should be loose, well pass air and water.




Watering is moderate, the top layer should be slightly moist. Excessive watering indicates darkening of the stem and leaves. As soon as the frosts go away, regularly take the seedlings to the balcony, or the street, the sprouts gradually need to get used to the open external environment.

Top dressing: Top dressing is added 1 time in two weeks. Use purchased, for flowering ornamental plants. But top dressing should not fall on the leaves, otherwise burns will appear.

Landing in open ground: As soon as the seedlings germinate, and the roots do not have enough space, they can be transplanted into open ground. Young delphiniums are transplanted along with earthy clod so as not to damage the fragile root system. But young plants are afraid of frost, make sure they are absent, especially at night.

Decide on a place and plant a flower. Previously, they dig holes to a depth and with a diameter of up to 0.5 m and fill it with prepared earthen mixture: 5 l. humus, 100 grams universal fertilizer, and 0.5 l. charcoal. Everything is mixed with the earth.

Having made a small depression, the future flower is planted. Having slightly compacted the ground, water moderately. The distance between seedlings is at least 50 cm, sometimes up to 1 m.




This method of growing from seeds has its own characteristics. Only a certain part is capable of acquiring everything uterine properties, others will have different differences. If you need to achieve unique differences and originality of colors, use it.

But there are examples when you need the full heritage of the parents, for this they use vegetative propagation: dividing the bush (rhizomes) and cuttings.

• Division of rhizomes: This method can be used starting from the 3rd year of life, in early spring or early autumn. Dig up the root, rinse well under running water, cut off all dry and rotten parts. With a sharp knife divide the root into several parts, but always with at least one shoot. Plant parts of the roots in small containers and only after full rooting (after 2-3 weeks), transplant to open area. This method gives rapid growth and abundant flowering. If strong roots are needed, pluck the first peduncle.


• cuttings This method is used for an adult, well-grown bush. The stalk is cut off with part of the root and the soil, without completely digging out the entire bush. A young shoot is cut off, 10-15 cm high, but always with a part of the root. The stalk is planted in a container with river sand, deepening by 2-3 cm. As soon as their own root appears, after 2-3 weeks, they are planted in the ground, shaded from direct sunlight. The young sprout must be regularly watered and sprayed until it is fully rooted. As a rule, up to 1 month, the stalk will fully acquire roots.

delphinium species

There are a large number of species, among them annuals and those that can exist up to 10 years. But at home I use only a few species, as a rule, perennial ones.

Delphinium planting and care

Top dressing: After transplanting into the ground in an open area, the delphinium needs to be fed. Use either purchased top dressing, according to the instructions, or do it yourself: humus ( cow dung) diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10, poured under a bush. One bush needs one diluted bucket. Feed as soon as young shoots reach 15 cm in height. Sprinkle a few cm of peat on top. AT hot weather, especially during the flowering period, potassium-phosphate fertilizers are added to the water with the expectation of 10 liters of water, 20 grams of fertilizers.

Pruning and strengthening: Upon reaching 30-40 cm in height, the bush is thinned out, leaving up to 5 stems, to achieve beautiful and large flowers. Weak and dry stems are cut at the very root.

As soon as the height of the stems exceeds 0.5 m, it is necessary to build a fortification from metal rods, or wooden stakes, between them, pull the rope and tie the stems to it, otherwise there is a high probability of breaking in the wind.

The next garter is done after 1 m. After flowering, the inflorescences are plucked, seeds are collected from them. Often the delphinium releases new shoots and blooms again in the fall.

After the second flowering, the plant can be propagated by dividing the rhizome.

Watering: In the hot period, the bush needs abundant watering. Approximate consumption, 10 liters (1 bucket) of water, for 2-3 days. You need to water carefully and slowly so that the earth does not clog.

Pests: Delphinium is often attacked powdery mildew, aphids, especially noticeable in the second half of summer. fungal diseases, white, or gray coating on the leaves. If untimely elimination, all leaves and flowers will die.

Delphinium bushes 2-3 times, sprayed with a solution of foundationazole, "Topaz", or other remedies for fungal diseases.

The spots that appear on the leaves are sprayed with a solution of tetracycline tablets, diluting 1 pc. for 1 liter of water. Due to its whimsicalness and care problems, the delphinium often dies from pests and viruses, and spraying does not help, in particular, its ground part dies.

In the buds of flowers, a fly appears, carrying eggs, as well as slugs. To remove the larvae, the flowers are treated with insecticides.

Diluted lime saves from slugs. It is placed in small containers between the bushes. The smell of lime repels the pest.

Preparation, maintenance and shelter for the winter

After flowering, the leaves dry up. The bush is cut no higher than 40 cm. The place of the cut is covered with clay, or sprinkled with ash. The plant is able to endure frosts, sometimes severe. In severe frosts and the absence of snow, the bushes are covered with viscous straw.

Delphinium does not tolerate excess moisture and frequent temperature changes, especially when passing through the zero mark, causes high humidity. In such cases, the bush is partially covered from direct moisture (rain). Otherwise, the roots will rot and the plant will die.

Even before planting, a layer of expanded clay mixed with sand is laid on the bottom. The layer must be below the root system. Such a drainage system will allow you to remove excess moisture. In the first winter, the delphinium is covered from frost with a film, airing regularly.

Under favorable conditions, one bush can exist up to 10 years. Aging leads to improper care, lack of moisture and fertilizers. Often, gardeners rejuvenate plants every 5 years, dividing the bush, or cuttings from early spring.

There are many colors and shades, from white to rich red or blue. Each gardener is trying to bring out his own unique color and create his own unique composition. Do not be afraid to experiment, and the delphinium will always thank you with beautiful and abundant flowering.