Many flower growers fell in love with a beautiful ornamental plant - a delphinium. It is also called fern or larkspur. The flower horoscope insists that it suits Virgo born after September 20. Being a representative of the Ranunculaceae family, the delphinium can be a perennial and perennial herb. Many beginner gardeners are interested in photo, care and planting flowers of dolphiniums. After all, everyone wants to have such a miracle in the form of huge flower giants on their flowerbed or in the garden. The size of the charming inflorescences is simply amazing. And although the liveliness does not have a special aroma, the appearance of the flower completely compensates for its absence. If you decide to start it on your site, get acquainted with the methods of growing a delphinium flower, its varieties and features. The time spent on this will definitely give a result.
Description of perennial delphinium flower
For many, this plant is associated with huge inflorescences in the form of a flower spikelet. Delphinium is sometimes considered the king of blue flowers. But recently, inflorescences of various shapes and shades have been found. The upper petals are like spurs, so the people call the plant a spur. An ordinary delphinium has small flowers with five petals. Now many varieties with double flowers, in which there are many petals, are bred. Most often there are bushes of blue, pink and white shades.
The plant has a very beautiful aesthetic appearance, is used to form bouquets and compositions. The flower stands for a long time in the water (two weeks).
In the larkspur, the lunate-divided leaves with deep and multiple cuts resembling serrated lobules. Each type of plant has its own stem height. In alpine species, it is 10-15 cm, and in forest - 3 m and above. The flower itself has five sepals of irregular shape. The upper sepal has a peculiar spur from 5 to 6 mm in length. Inside there are 2-3 small petals, contrasting with the main ones (most often white). They resemble tiny eyes looking at this world. These petals are called stamidonia, they serve to attract bees and bumblebees. Terry species do not have these "eyes". Primitive inflorescences in the form of a panicle have from 3 to 15 flowers. Pyramidal inflorescences with branching tassels number from 50 to 80 pieces.
Some species of wildlife are melliferous; butterflies and bumblebees land on them. Two varieties in America pollinate even hummingbirds.
Legend and version of the name of the flower
What is the scientific (Latin) name of the genus connected with? According to one version, a non-blooming flower resembles the shape of a dolphin's head and body. Another version says that the name came from the Greek city of Delphi, where many of these flowers grew. This settlement was located near Mount Parnassus, where they came to visit the famous Temple of Apollo. Dioscorides also mentions this flower and indicates its name as Apollo Delphic.
There is also one old legend about the origin of the name delphinium. She tells the story of a talented Greek sculptor who made a stone statue of his dead girl and filled her life. The gods did not like this guy's insolence, and they turned him into a dolphin. The girl walked along the seashore for a long time and grieved for her beloved. One fine morning, a dolphin emerged from the abyss and held a beautiful flower in his mouth that resembled the blue azure of the sea. Since then, he received the name - delphinium.
Distinctive features of liveliness
Breeding this plant requires a lot of effort. You will not be bothered by some theoretical preparation:
- The most suitable for the dolphinium is a corner lit by the sun in the morning and protected from strong winds.
- The soil should be loose structure, without stagnation of water. Excess moisture leads to decay and death of the plant.
- The root zone after planting requires mulch in the form of peat.
- In one place, ordinary delphinium varieties can grow 5-6 years. Pacific plant varieties are even less pleasing to the eye in one place - 3-4 years. After this, the bush needs to be divided and planted in new places.
- The stems of the plant are quite high, so they require constant garter.
- The delphinium has a branched root system without a main rhizome, spread horizontally.
- The flowering time of the plant is May-June, at the end of September - the second round. For the second flowering, the plant requires that the first peduncles be cut.
- The flower withstands cold well, survives frosts down to -40 ° C, but is afraid of the formation of spring moist glades.
Types and varieties of plants
In total, there are about 370 species of delphiniums, of which 40 are annuals, 330 are perennial. More than 100 of them are common in Russia.
The simplest view is the field delphinium. The shoots of this annual plant can reach 2 m in length. In July, pyramidal inflorescences bloom. Petals are found in pink, white, purple or blue. Photos of flowers of the dolphiniums demonstrate their grace and unusualness.
Another annual is considered a large-flowered species. Its vertical pubescent stems reach a height of no more than 80 cm. The leaves of this plant are triple and have linear lobes. Medium-sized flowers form a dense brush and bloom in mid-summer. Petals are most often blue or blue.
In Central Asia, a high delphinium grows. Its height sometimes reaches 3 m. There is a small pile on the stems and leaves. The plant has bright green palmate leaves. From the beginning of June, dense blue brushes bloom, which can include up to 60 buds.
Florists most often grow hybrid varieties. They are obtained by crossing high and large-flowered species. Many varieties have already been bred.
Depending on where the dolphiniums used to grow, they are divided into several varietal groups:
- Scottish. Very beautiful inflorescences with double flowers. Their peduncles can reach up to 120-160 cm in length. In the bouquet, this species is perfectly preserved for up to two weeks. The best varieties: "crystal shine", "moonlight", "flamenco".
- New Zealand Sometimes it reaches 2 m in height. It is distinguished by terry and semi-double flowers, the diameter of which is 7-9 cm. Very beautiful varieties are "roxolana" and "giant", they are almost not afraid of cold and frost.
- Pacific. This variably colored plant is rather large, with contrasting eyes. Differs in vulnerability to diseases. This group includes varieties: Lancelot, Summer Sky, Black night.
- Blue ("belladonna"). The very first group of delphiniums. May bloom twice a year. Purple or blue inflorescences have a pyramidal shape. The flowers themselves are simple, 5 cm in diameter. It is worth highlighting the following varieties: "balaton", "Lord Butler", "piccolo".
Very spectacular terry inflorescences has an unusual variety of Blueberry pie. The outer edge of the flowers consists of blue petals, and above them are purple corrugated leaves. At the core is a small pistachio crown. Of the most beautiful varieties, it is worth highlighting such as Princess Caroline, "snow lace", "pink butterfly". You can observe the photo of flowers of dolphiniums of different varieties in the article. The pictures show different varieties.
Growing from seeds of flowers of delphiniums
Do you want zhivostok to become the main decoration of your garden? Check out the basic steps to grow it. Photos, planting flowers of delphiniums are of interest to many beginner gardeners. It all starts with sowing seeds, although this is not the only way to propagate this plant. It can be propagated by dividing rhizomes, kidneys and cuttings. It is worth starting with seedlings. Sowing is best done in February. Fresh seeds are best suited. Their preparation is as follows:
- Change is first disinfected. For this, planting material is placed in gauze and lowered into a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes.
- The second method of disinfection is placement in a solution prepared on the basis of fungicide. In order not to harm the seeds, you must strictly follow the instructions.
- After that, the seeds are washed with cold water and placed in a solution of "Epina" for 24 hours. To prepare this solution, you need to take half a glass of water and drip there a few drops of the specified substance. Then the seeds are pulled out and allowed to dry.
Meanwhile, they begin to prepare the soil. For the soil they take in equal parts humus, garden soil, peat, slightly washed and sifted sand. It will be useful to add a little perlite to this composition (for 5 liters of the mixture take half a glass of substance). Perlite will make the soil loose and moist. After this, the mixture is heated for one hour in a water bath. This procedure helps to eliminate all weeds and fungal spores. Then the prepared soil mixture is laid out in seedling containers and waiting for it to be a little tamped.
Now begin to plant flowers of dolphiniums. Seeds are sown in such a way that they evenly hit the surface of the soil. In order not to forget the day of sowing, you can attach a label with the inscription. Top seeds are covered with 3 mm layer of soil mixture and roll it a little. Cold boiled water spray the soil. Seedlings are covered with dark plastic or special material. Under it, favorable conditions for growth will be created, because the seeds at this moment need moisture and darkness. The container is best installed on the windowsill.
The best temperature for seed germination is 10-15 ° C. To achieve maximum seedlings, you can first place the container for 3 days in the refrigerator or on the balcony at a temperature of +5 ° C. Such an operation is called stratification. As soon as the first sprouts appear, the covering material is removed from above. It is important to monitor soil moisture and spray it regularly. From time to time, the container is opened for air access and condensate removal.
Seedling Care
Strong stems and dark green color indicate healthy seedlings of flowers of dolphiniums. The sprouted cotyledons are slightly sharp. When 2-3 leaves appear, the plants dive and transplant into small pots. Seedlings have since been put into a room with a temperature of +20 ° C. It is important to monitor the breathability of the substrate.
Often it is not necessary to water the seedlings so that a black leg does not form, which leads to the death of the seedlings. In early May, they are aired on the balcony to adapt to natural conditions. Sometimes even briefly left in direct sunlight.
Shortly before planting seedlings, they are slightly fed with a drug such as Agricola or Mortar. They are brought in with an interval of two weeks. It is important to ensure that the solution does not fall on the leaves. When the seedlings grow and get stronger, they plant it in open areas.
Planting a stomach
Delphinium seedlings are sent to a constant place of growth after the final spring warming. To do this, choose a site well lit by the sun, where moisture does not stagnate. For planting, pits are made in the following sizes: depth - 50 cm, the distance between seedlings - 60 cm, diameter - 40 cm.
Fill holes with a special planting mixture of humus, complex fertilizer, ash. This composition is connected to the ground and pits with seedlings fall asleep. In the first week after planting, the plants are covered with plastic bottles or glass jars to protect against adverse conditions. Shelters are removed when the plants take root. As soon as the seedling begins to grow, the banks are removed.
Care Activities
It should be noted that dolphinium flowers do not require special care. As soon as the seedlings grow to 10-15 cm, they are fed a solution of cow manure. For this, a bucket of fertilizer is bred in 10 liters of water. This is enough to feed 5 bushes. The beds are regularly weeded and stacked with mulch (humus or peat).
When the stems reach 40-50 cm, supporting two-meter rods are installed near them. It is important to set them in such a way so as not to damage the roots. The stems of the plant are tied with ribbons or fabric strips. This will protect the flowers from damage during strong winds.
Autumn care after flowering
In the autumn, after the leaves wither, the flowers and shoots dry, the stems are cut to a height of 30-40 cm. The cut shoot is smeared with clay in order to protect it from water and fungus. Garden delphiniums can tolerate even frosts down to -40 ° C. For prevention, the soil for winter near the bushes is covered with fallen leaves or straw. Most of the damage to the plant can be caused by spring snowmelt and excessive moisture. In order to prevent harm, in the spring, grooves are excavated along the flowerbed for outflow of water.
Propagation by division of the bush and cuttings
When the plant reaches three years of age, it is also propagated by dividing the bush. Do it in the spring, when the bushes are not too high. Dig up the delphinium, carefully divide it into several seeds, so that each part has at least 1-2 shoots. Spit sites sprinkled with activated carbon. Divided bushes are placed in pots with a mixture of black soil, sand, humus. Pots are placed in a warm place. Three weeks later, planted in an open area.
In the spring, many flower growers transplant using cuttings (10-15 cm). They are captured along with a piece of rhizome. Cut material is planted immediately in open ground in a darkened place. Cuttings are sprayed 3-4 times a day and regularly moisten the soil. As soon as the stems begin to grow, they are transplanted to a permanent place of growth.