What I've learned - Delphinium seeds

12 years ago

I thought I'd share this. It's new to me an so far proving successful. Maybe old news to some but not me.

Year after year I've sowed delphinium seeds in late winter to grow on my windowsill for summer. Year after year I've had no joy. Even contacted a seed company I purchased seeds from - they sent replacement seeds and still no joy. I've planted according to the seed packet information.

This year while scouring the forums and the internet someone kindly noted that the delphinium seeds need darkness to germinate - not by covering the seed but absolute darkness.

The stores don't put delphinium seeds in the cold but I have stored them in the fridge for a few months to plant and still no joy.

This time I've even skipped the fridge and just planted the seeds on wet soil (not dripping wet) and pushed the seeds into the soil with my palm. Instead of the windowsill I've placed them in my utility room on a shelf. They are popping their heads up - at long last. They need darkness to germinate. And the fresher the seeds the better. I have lost a few because I was not checking daily and they out grew their reserves. Now I check them every afternoon with my reading glasses on so I can see them. I gently take a fork and lift them ever so easy because they are just sending out a root from the seed. I place them in a moist seed cell on top of the soil and gently, very gently push them into the dirt so the root has good contact. If I catch them with an 1/8th of an inch I very carefully point the root tip down and pack the soil around with the fork tyne. So far this is working. I return the tray to the dark to continue letting the seeds germinate. I have two seeds - one from an Ebay purchase where the guy puts his seed immediately in the fridge to store (those are the ones germinating) and the other is store bought. They have not germinated ... yet. I'm still hoping and checking daily. If they start to get dry I add a few drops of water on the cell pack so I don't have mold starting.

What has your experience been with Delphinium seeds?

Cheers,

Peggy

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Comments (6)

luckynes13
12 years ago
hi Peggy,

I am both winter sowing and growing indoors, my delphinium this year. It is the first year I have tried. So, no luck yet with the indoors which I have sitting in the dark. I think it is too early for the ones outside. But I will let you know my success rate. may be bleak, as what seems my life is these days.
luckynes13
12 years ago
just to let you know the delphinium seeds in house sprouted
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marricgardens
12 years ago
luckyness13: I have never had luck with them in the house so I tried winter sowing them. Always had luck that way. This year I bought the new dwarf mounding 'Summer Colors' from William Dam seeds. I winter sowed them and noticed the other day that they are starting to pop up. Since they are only suppoosed to be about 1' I thought I'd pot some in with my daylilies. Marg
Crafty Gardener
12 years ago
That is interesting Peggy. I might give it a try.
greylady_gardener
12 years ago
I WS mine a month or so ago. I have never started them from seed before, so wasn't sure if they were a candidate for WS or not. After reading this, I brought them in and put them in a cupboard with total darkness. They have been in there about five days and nothing is showing yet, but not sure how long they will take. I don't know what kind they are. I got them in a swap and they were labelled 'blue with black bee'.
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Original Author
12 years ago
Using the darkness so far I have 18 plants starting. Not firm because I have lost a few gingerly transplanting them as soon as I see them.

I am noting that another variety of delphinium seeds from the same vendor have done absolutely nothing to date.

The seeds that have germinated are a lavender dwarf variety. In the meantime I am going to keep the seeded soil in there for as long as it takes up to 2 months.

My only concern about placing the seeds in a cupboard is you do want to have them where there is some air movement if possible and keep an eye out for any mold starting.

And I will say it took a couple of weeks before mine started germinating in the dark. Patience is a virtue.

Greylady I'm interested in your results.

Cheers,
Peggy