Collect seeds and store them properly
If you do not cut back the faded panicles of the delphinium after the summer flowering period, but instead leave them on the plant, the plant will invest its energy in the formation of seeds. The delphinium develops narrow follicles that contain several triangular, black seeds.
also read
- Larkspur - collect and store seeds yourself
- Delphinium can hibernate outdoors
- The silver birch fruit ripens between July and September
Collect follicles before bursting
In autumn you can collect the fruits as soon as they have turned brown. However, you should not wait too long with this, otherwise the fruits will burst and the plant will sow itself. The seeds are cleaned and then immediately placed in a dry, airtight container. Keep them cool (ideally 0 to 5 ° C) and dark until spring.
Prefer delphinium from March
From March the delphinium can be brought out under glass in the cold frame. The window sill at home is rather unsuitable for this project because it is usually too warm for the plant there. The delphinium is a cold germer, which means that the seeds first need a cold period before they start to germinate. Seeds you have collected yourself usually germinate at approx. 5 to 12 ° C, only purchased varieties have a high germination rate on the windowsill.
Sow delphinium
- Fill small growing pots (€ 14.90 at Amazon *) with suitable growing soil.
- Kokohum, a peat-sand mixture or commercially available herb soil is ideal.
- Put the seeds in one at a time.
- Do not cover them with earth, or only cover them very thinly - delphinium is a light germ.
- Keep the substrate moist.
- Place the growing pots in a light-shaded, 15 to 18 ° C warm place.
Delphiniums take about four weeks to germinate.
Direct sowing between May and September
Direct sowing of delphinium is much less complicated: Simply place the seeds - if you have collected yourself, previously stratified seeds - in well loosened, finely crumbly soil and protect the sowing from hungry birds with a net or similar. Self-collected seeds need a cold period beforehand if possible, then they germinate better. This can be done outside from March or in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Under no circumstances should the seeds be exposed to frost, ie please do not pack them in the freezer!
Tips & Tricks
If you want to do as little work as possible, just let nature take its course. Most larkspurs sow themselves very reliably if you let them.
