One of the favorite flowers grown in Russian gardens is the unusual flower delphinium.
These plants are very unpretentious, and having planted them once in your garden plot, you will easily admire their bright, blue or blue flowers for a long time. In recent years, new varieties of delphiniums have appeared with red, violet, white, pink inflorescences having a different degree of terry.
general description
The flower delphinium, larkspur or fern, belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and is part of the genus Delphinium (Delphinium). The closest relatives of the delphinium, representatives of the aconite (wrestler) genus, Aconitum, grow on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Like many members of the Ranunculaceae family, the delphinium is a poisonous plant. Its name comes from the ancient city of Delphi, where according to legend, most of these plants grew. The Russian name (fern) is associated with the similarity of the sepal appendage with spurs. In the southern steppes of Russia, wild fern species are found in large numbers.
In the scientific literature and in the manuals of flower growers, a name such as larkspur is used more. But the name of the delphinium has taken root among Russian gardeners.
Botanical characteristics of the genus Delphinium
These are perennial and annual plants with less or more dissected leaves. The flower is delphinium zygomorphic, perianth five-membered, simple, petal-shaped, the upper petal extended from the base in the form of a hollow spur. Nectarians have the same petal shape, but are more elongated in spurs, and inserted inside a large spur. Delphinium has a large number of stamens. The number of pistils can be from one to five.
Features of cultivation, or how to grow a dolphinium
Delphinium is more photophilous. It should be planted in sunny places. This flower is not afraid of dry weather, so summer watering regularly is not necessary.
Dolphinium prefers sandy or sandy soil. When fertilizing with organic fertilizers, the delphinium will bloom most magnificent.
Delphinium sowing is best done in early March.
First plant the plant in pots or in open ground immediately after the snow melts. Delphinium flower tolerates frosts well.
When growing seedlings, seedlings should be planted somewhere in late May, after they are sufficiently strong. It should be noted that seedlings can grow the most valuable varieties of delphinium.
Also, the delphinium reproduces well, not only by the seed method, but also by the vegetative method - "dividers", i.e. pieces of rhizome. In the process of propagation by a vegetative method, the root system of the flower grows well, and in the spring a large number of new shoots are formed on this plant. Root shoots are also used for further propagation. If there is no need for flower propagation, then extra shoots are removed on it. On each bush, leave 3 or 4 shoots, then the flowers of the delphinium will be quite bright and large.
In the summer, dolphiniums must be tied to supports. Dolphiniums can not be harbored for the winter. In one place, the flower can grow up to 11 years. Of the latter varieties, the Marfino delphiniums and New Zealand hybrids are most valued.
Diseases and Pests
The delphinium can be damaged by a delphinium fly, which most often lays eggs in its buds. In this case, quick shedding of flowers occurs.
With improper care, the flower can be affected by diseases such as powdery mildew, black spotting, ring spotting, and ramularis leaf.
The use of delphinium
The flower delphinium is decorative and perfect for composing bouquets. In a bouquet, flowers can stand for about two weeks. Terry spurs will be an ideal decoration for flower beds and rabatki. Non-terrestrial plant forms are also suitable for creating decorative compositions. Dried Delphinium flowers can retain their bright color for a long time, so the plant is often found in paintings and compositions created by florists.