trying to gerim. delphinium

Hi I have tried every way that I can think of. What method works for you???

Around here, the nuttal's larkspur is one of the first to bloom and go to seed. Last year, I collected dirt from an area where they were growing, and to my suprise, I got one beautiful plant late in the season in my pot when in the wild they had all disappeared already. I've read they need significant stratification and that some species need two winters before they will sprout. I would guess starting them in moist soil in a frost-free freezer for a few months might do it, and if it doesn't, then leave them out for a while then throw them back in. I haven't tried it myself... yet.

They need to be covered with 1/4" soil & kept fairly warm (put on top your fridge) to germinate. Also use fresh seeds, they loose their viability quickly, so says the Seed Starters Handbook

I believe I read conflicting info on them - some said need dark - some said need light- some said warm, some said cool. I'm trying to remember what I did. I know the seeds were in my freezer for at least a week or two, possibly longer. I'm pretty sure I kept them off the heat mat, in a coolish room, but under lights and dome. Also think I seeded on or near the surface. I got pretty good germination with one kind of delph grandiflorum, but some of the seedlings died. Got excellent germination with another delph grandiflorum. Those are the only ones I've tried.

ARosey..I've wintersown them for the last four years and gotten germination w/blooms the same year. They've also (unfortunately in cases where I've changed my mind...lol) returned and flourished.

Thanks everyone I'll try a little of each method.. The ones I'm having difficulty with is the Pacific Giant and the Magic Fountains, the Summer Blues and the mixed came o.k........Albertarosey

I have also seeded Delphiniums and am still staring at just soil....

I did none of the above--stratification, that is, I just seeded it along with all my other seeds.....Still waiting....Wnen and if they sprout--they will get moved up to shelf #1 or #2 and be under lights......

I gathered the seed from my neighbor's plant last fall....Loved the blue!

Gita

I've also had less than stellar sucess with Pacific Hybrids. My seed env. instructs 1/8 inch deep @ 50-55 degrees with germination taking from 1-3 months. I had some planted in a plug flat with other perennials that had been out in a cold frame all winter and moved indoors for germination in mid January. They took almost a month to germ, but I had about 70% germ on those seeds (about 60 degrees in basement). I planted another 20 seeds in a pot and put it in the shade in the cold frame on 2/24 and the first four emerged just yesterday. They shouldn't need stratification, but they do need much cooler temperatures than most seeds for germination. Try putting your pots in a shaded spot outside and ignore them for a couple of weeks.

I had some that were kept at about 65 degrees with no germination for 7 weeks, and then they germinated after 19 days when I moved them to the basement at ~ 60 degrees.

So...... don't discard any that haven't germed, try moving them to cold shady spot and hope for the best.

FYI - temps in cold frame ranged from just above freezing for many nights to about 60-70 during warm sunny days and no higher than about 50 on cloudy days.

I had some success with Pacific Giants. I put the seeds in the fridge for two weeks, and then sowed them - without covering them much - using ordinary potting soil as we don't have all the lovely seed starting mixes you have ....
I left the pot in some shade as they apparently don't like heat all that much. Kept them moist and they germinated without a problem.

Mine did well until I transplanted them into the garden. They just disappeared overnight. I suspect slugs. :-(

Good luck,
Elsa

Hi ALBERTAROSEY-
I am not an expert, this is the first year for doing Delphinium. I did as my package suggested- which was put in fridge for 2 weeks, just in the seed packet. I planted them in my seed cells on March 15th, covered a tiny bit with soil and then put a piece of folded aluminium foil over them, and kept them moist- with the rest of my cells. I did not put on heat mat, but they were in a flat that was under the lights, so I am guessing around 65-70. Mine are just starting to emerge from the soil, no leaves yet, mostly with seed pods/ or soil stuck on top. So I have taken off the foil and I am hoping for the best.
Mine are the Magic Fountains -
Good Luck.

I have tried different ways. Now plain old larkspur self sows like crazy and I do nothing for them at all.
Delphiniums I've tried winter sowing in containers. Not a big fan of WS but did have success unless the container lost it's lid and drowned them under melting ice etc.
I've tried them with moist sand for a cold treatment in the fridge but I ended up with no germination as I had moldy seeds.
I've tried them just planted out early like March or now put in the garden just barely covered with soil. This is the method I prefer as it's successful and easy! Our frost free date is mid may so it gets enough winter without blowing or washing away
You can even plant your blue butterfly delph seeds and if they do like mine- some cross with something and turn out MUCH larger from seed. See the picture.
I do not have trouble transplanting delph.

I also found a guy who sells PGiant seedlings for .50 and wow- that's even easier!

Cheerpeople Lead me to him!! At .50 it would be a bargain at twice the price.
I do have a few that germinated and I'm taking VERY GOOD care of them. 1 or2 PG and maybe 10 of summer blues but the Magic Fountains have "dried up"

Frustrating little beggars. Thanks

arosey

ARosey...I keep tellin' ya...Throw those suckers out in the cold...Winter sow 'em!...LOL

I have pretty good luck using seed germination mix like Pro-Mix.I plant my seeds about 1/4" deep and insert my pots into 1 gallon clear freezer bags.Using a spray bottle I wet the top of the soil and use white plant labels to stake each corner so the bag doesn't crush the seedlings.The freezer bags work great to keep the humidity high.I get my seed from Jelitto,while $$ they germinate great and you get around 100 seeds per pack.Plus have never used cold treatment and germinated at 75 degrees.

minot--

Where do you keep these freezer bags once you have seeded them? Inside? Outside?

Also--do you zip the tops closed or leave a small opening?

Thanks! Gita

I keep them in my basement under 4ft grow lights I picked up at Lowe's.The lights should be 3-4 inches above pots so they don't become leggy.I seal the bag because it makes a mini greenhouse effect.Hope that helps.I have about 15ft of growing tables currently set up w/ Campanula's,Primula,Geum,Poppies just too mention a few.Also feed them Neptune'sHarvest Fish Fertilizer when they have two leaves and do they ever grow! WOW!!

I only have a 3' shelf with 2 sets of 3' lights. I am NOT into any huge quantity of seeding anything. Only a few of this and that....

The 3' shop lights are only 30Watts each--so each shelf only gets 60 watts shining on the seedlings. I also do not have a 'reflector". I should try to make one out of foil......

The shelf does sit by a very sunny window. Everything did OK last year. Seems slow this year--or maybe i am just impatient.

Do you fertilize the seedlings with the Fish Emulsion (WHAT dilution???) before they grow true leaves? How much in a gallon? A tsp.???
I know I read (By Carolyn) that Tomato seedlings should NOT ever be fertilized!

I think I need to feed mine a little something...just don't want to over do it...

Thanks, Gita

Here's one (of three) of my trays of assorted seedlings....Still small! Some are bigger--HELP!!!!

Lovely nasturtiums, gita! I had trouble with mine, at first but they've rebounded.

Looks like you have a nice assortment of healthy seedlings.

indy--

Those are Red Nasturtiums-----never seen them--but someone sent me a few BIG seeds.

The other big plants are cardinal Climber ans a couple Cosmos....
The ones right center are pink 4 O;clocks. and the lone, big-leafed thing in at the top is a Moon Vine.
My other 2 flats have mostly tomatoes and Daturas and such. All still small--NO real leaves....They better hurry up!

This is all heirloom tomatoes. Only 3 varieties,,,,,planning to give a bunch away.

I'm in the same situation. Didn't start as early as I should've and planned on giving lots away . . . My sister in law loves tomatoes, but my seedlings are yawning at my anxiety over developing true leaves. But our hearts are in the right place and nature will take her course and we will have another unforgettable summer, regardless.

I'm growing nasturtiums only because I've seen them listed as great companions for the vegetable garden. But I'm already smitten with their lovely round leaves with starburst veins. I'm so far behind, but my cosmos will look lovely in the fall, after months of anticipation.

Happy gardening!

Nasturtiums are believed to keep colds away. Eat a flower and a leave every three hours as soon as you feel a cold coming on, or when you have a sore throat. (I just always end up feeling "down" when I don't have any in the garden...
Have you seen the "African Jewel" Nasturtiums? They have variegated leaves. Quite different...

I just looked them up. Very pretty!

Picture of my one tiny delphling :o(

Elsa, did you see today's article on some special nasturtiums? http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2420/ Now I want the vining ones too!

*Still no action with the delphiniums.*

indy,

I had some growing in a pot a few years ago - they cascaded over the side (almost 60cm), and were really something to see. This article reminded me about it, and I am definitely going to do it again this year. I couldn't get over how many flowers the plant had (it is so much easier to deadhead if the plant isn't in a flower bed). I always end up stepping on some stems if I deadhead them when growing in a bed.
Give it a try. Let me know how yours end up.

Elsa

Take pictures. I'd love to see them.

Mine will be in the vegetable garden, so I should have room to tend them.

Will definitely do.

arosey -
I pseudo-winter sowed some delphinium "connecticut yankee" in the beginning of March (I say 'pseudo' b/c we didn't get many frosts since I sowed them). They all come up beautifully. This is my first time trying delphiniums. I saved some seeds for direct sowing just in case the wintersowing didn't work. Since your zone is so much colder than mine, you could give the winter(spring)-sowing method a try. Its seems like they'd be under similar conditions as mine were back in the beginning of March. Good luck!

Oh, and I wanted to mention that my seeds are from Swallowtail Gardens in case seed source is an issue.

pgt Thanks for your imput. I think I'm too late for winter sowing as the temps here have been very warm for a whole week and now cool for a while but the trend is warm. Next year I will definetly try winter sowing but for now I have enough that germinated.

All the best ...........Albertarosey

You sure can get lost in these threads once you learn to click on the "Skip To New" link.
I read Elsa's post from 7:23 this morning about them cascading over the side of a pot. I thought the topic was still delphs and thought "hmmm, now THAT'S interesting". All at once I'm thinking "why didn't they break off, along with I won't have to stake them...cool)...OH----Nasturtiums...Duh...ok, I'm back on track...

All that cold causes mental metabolism slowdowns. How are you cmoose?
Arosey

Glad to hear it's only cold causing it...thought it was attributed to age...LOL
I'm fine! Woke up to snowing to beat the band this morning, but only got about 1/2 inch. Temps are dropping to 20's at night, but going to 45-50 by mid-afternoon...My 2 car garage is now called the green room. I've way over extended...have way too much planted and lots more seeds to go...doesn't seem like much when they are in the 6 packs, but they sure take a lot more spce once they go into the 3" pots...oh well...

And you?