This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: Propagation Tools/Misters


Angelika

The following is a brief note about germinating delphinium seed which
are very prone to damping off. I hope it is of some assistance.

Damping off is caused by water moulds...hence the reason for keeping
seeds well aired and avoiding water splashes or overwatering.
Whenever I have real problems they invariably trace back to bad
hygiene. Have you thoroughly cleaned your trays (flats) since their
last use?. Washing with Jeys Fluid usually does the trick. Otherwise
you may be right to blame a contaminated seed mix.


Some hints about raising delphinium from seed.

When sowing delphinium seed you should start by using a disease
free seed sowing mix if possible (to avoid "damping off" to which
delphiniums are particularly susceptible). Cover the seed lightly.
Keep in an airy (not draughty), light place. Water only enough to keep
the surface from drying out. It is very important not to overwater or
the seed, or seedlings  will quickly rot.

It is best to chill seed for a week before sowing (stick them in the
fridge).Germination for most species is best between 18 and 24 degrees
C (65 - 75 F) Do not allow temperatures to exceed 80ºF (26ºC). Once
germinated the seedlings will grow on perfectly happily in much cooler
temperatures.

Watering the seed in with "terrazole"(etridiazole) or similar
fungicide can be beneficial in helping to prevent disease problems
(pithium and phytophthera sp). Give a further treatment when most of
the seedlings have emerged after about 10 days. These applications are
precautions only but definitely help to reduce damping off when
conditions favour the disease.

One further point. Delphinium seed "goes off" very quickly.
Always try to get fresh seed and store it in the fridge  (family
arguments notwithstanding) at all times. Unrefrigerated seed seldom
seems to remain viable  much over a year - often less!

Terry D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Terry Dowdeswell
Tuakau, New Zealand
dowdeswell@delphinium.co.nz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Time flies like the wind - fruit flies like bananas
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index