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Re: Need Delphinium First Aid

> Date:          Thu, 10 Jul 1997 09:41:01 -0400
> From:          Lynda Ziegler <ziegler@nh.ultranet.com>
> To:            Perennials@mallorn.com
> Subject:       Need Delphinium First Aid
> Reply-to:      perennials@mallorn.com

> Too late I read the message about the tomato cages.  Last night the wind
> and rain knocked down the 2 major stalks of an opening delphinium. It
> cameoff at ground level with what looks like a bit of the crown. 
> Can I rootit in water (or any other way)? Will the smaller remaining
> stalks carry the plant to next year? What is recommended courser of
> action to assure safety of remaining pplant? Any other options for the
> fallen stalk which is currently in a pail of water by my kitchen door?
> Thanks
> Lynda


Woops. Sorry it took me so long to get onto this Lynda. If you
have the broken off piece in shallow water it may be all right yet, 
but first let's deal with the rest of the plant.
The "mother" plant will be ok and the small shoots you have left will 
either grow to flower in the fall or grow a little more and rosette 
(form a short non flowering growth) according to your climate. Come 
winter you won't know that the plant has been damaged.
If you are worried about disease entering the break in the crown you 
could paint it with a copper solution or a 20% solution of household 
bleach (20%) and water (80%). The bleach solution is very weak but 
seems to work

For the bit that broke off. Cut the stem to within 2 or 3 inches of 
the base and trim the rough edges off the crown material. Place this 
somewhat cumbersome cutting into a glass jar containing half to an 
inch of water and supervise it for about 4 weeks (keep the water 
level fairly constant and the jar in a light place out of the direct 
sun) after which you should see roots forming. You can dab the base 
of the cutting in a little No1 rooting hormone first if you wish.

A brief instruction about taking delphinium cutings follows below

 When taking 
cuttings, it is vitally important to get right down to the base of 
the shoot and include some of the hard brown callus material you find 
there. You will probably also see some tiny crown buds at the base of 
the shoot also. It is a good idea to leave a few of these on too as 
it ensures fast formation of secondary growth on the new plant. Clean 
and trim (in that order) the base of the cutting and place in a jar 
with about a half to 1 inch of water or alternatively in an airy 
rooting medium, taking care to keep moist, cool and humid. Be careful 
with temperature and do not be tempted to give the cuttings bottom 
heat or they will rot. It is best to keep them as cool as possible, 
say 50 - 55 deg F. The best time to take cuttings is in the early 
spring when the new shoots are about 2 - 3 inches long but for those 
who want to try you could take some right after the first summer 
flowering. This will have the advantage of thinning out the second 
flush and give you a little practice for the main event but be 
warned, you will have to find a really cool place. We are taking 
cuttings (in New Zealand) now and I will have some photographs 
scanned shortly and posted on our web site 
(http://www.delphinium.co.nz) along with more comprehensive 
instructions in a week or so, or so, or so


Hope this helps

Terry Dowdeswell
18 Henderson Ave
Tuakau, New Zealand
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Terry@delphinium.co.nz
http://www.delphinium.co.nz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


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