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Re: Help germinating Delphinium cardinale

Rand B. Lee wrote:
> 
> So far I have failed twice to germinate storebought Delphinium cardinale > seed. Does anyone else have success with this species? Could you school > a neophyte like me in reproducing your success?

Dear Rand
I have grown this species myself in the past, but only from purchased
plants. However, I have looked up my books and have the following
suggestions :-

I wonder if your store-bought seed had been kept too long. Delphinium
seed will usually only germinate if pretty fresh.

It is also seed which will only germinate in the dark, so it needs to be
properly covered when it has been sown.

I have an old English book (From the 50's) on raising alpines and this
says to sow seed indoors in February at a temperature of 45-50 F. Prick
out into a leafy compost and keep inside for about two weeks before
moving into a shaded cold frame for the whole of the first year, picking
out any attempt at a flower spike. If allowed to flower this first
season they will act monocarpic and die after flowering, but if they are
not allowed to have a spike until the second year and are planted out in
spring in a sunny position in poor soil, they may survive for several
years.

Hope this is some help

Moira

-- 
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand
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