How to plant Delphinium
The editor will tell you how to plant Delphinium and related topics about the cultivation methods and precautions of Delphinium, followed by detailed content sharing.
Delphinium, also known as pigeon flower, dry bird grass, and thousand bird flowers, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Ranunculaceae family Delphinium genus. It is named for its unique flower shape resembling swallows. The flowers are distinctive, with elegant colors and high ornamental value. Moreover, the whole plant and seeds can be used as medicine to treat toothache, and the juice of stems and leaves can kill insects. Let's take a look at the planting methods of Delphinium together!
Delphinium seeding methods
1. Seed collection: The fruit maturity period of Delphinium is not consistent, and it naturally cracks after ripening, so it should be harvested in a timely manner. Generally, ripe seeds are harvested 1-2 times in June, and all selected seeds are harvested, dried, and dehulled in July.
2. Sowing time: Delphinium can be sown in spring and autumn. If sowing in autumn, it must be done by mid-September. However, in areas with high temperatures in summer, sowing should be avoided during the hottest period.
3. Management after sowing: The suitable germination temperature for Delphinium is about 15°C, and the soil temperature should be below 20°C. Germination occurs in about two weeks. In the north, it is usually transplanted in mid-April, with 2-4 true leaves, and 4-7 true leaves for final planting.
Delphinium planting methods
1. Planting: When Delphinium seeds germinate and grow 2-4 true leaves, they are moved to sunny fields for cultivation. In the following March, when seedlings have 4-7 true leaves, they are planted. This allows for flowering from May to July. When transplanting, do not plant the seedlings too deep.
2. Watering: Delphinium prefers moist conditions but is also drought-resistant. Watering should be thorough and consistent, with more water during the flowering period to prevent the soil from becoming too dry.
3. Sunlight: Delphinium needs adequate sunlight to promote plant growth, especially in winter. It can tolerate some shade but should be kept in semi-shade during summer to avoid strong sunlight.
4. Temperature: Delphinium is adaptable to various climates and prefers cool weather. The optimal daytime growth temperature is between 20-25°C, and the night temperature should be controlled between 3-15°C.
5. Fertilization: Delphinium should be fertilized once every half month during the growing period, with 2-3 applications of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers before flowering. Keeping the soil moist during the flowering period can extend the viewing period. Additionally, apply cake fertilizer water 1-3 times per month based on growth conditions.
6. Height control: After repotting, Delphinium can be treated with Paclobutrazol to control plant height. Apply 5000PPM of Paclobutrazol or 1500PPM of B9, once every half month, until the buds appear.
7. Diseases and pests: Common diseases and pests affecting Delphinium include black spot disease, crown rot, and chrysanthemum leaf nematode disease, which can damage leaves, flower buds, and stems. These can be controlled by spraying with a 500-fold dilution of 50% methyl thiophanate wettable powder.
The above is a detailed introduction to how to plant Delphinium, its cultivation methods, and precautions. Do you understand now?