DELPHINIUMS FROM SEED

Evening Star, Issue 20985, 26 December 1931, Page 13

DELPHINIUMS FROM SEED

It is difficult to avoid the use of extravagant language when writing about the modern delphinium. It is one of those plants which has yeilded very readily to the touch of the hybridist, and the progress made during the last quarter of a century is nothing short of marvellous. Not only in the wondrous colours of the blossoms do we mark the improvement in modern types, but in the magnificence of the spike, and the size and form of the individual blossoms with their wonderful spreading centres we can all see what has been done towards the improvement ot this beautiful race of perennials (says the ‘ Manawatu Daily Times ). When we consider how great a variety may be produced from a single packet of seed one sometimes wonders why amateurs do not more often indulge in the fascinating pursuit of raising their own seedlings. Seed, of course, should be obtained from the yery best source. The grower will be amplv compensated for the extra price paid'for it as he or she watches each plant unfold its beautiful florets, as the flowering time arrives. The best of all times to sow seed is as soon as it has ripened. Old seed does not germinate very readily, and with this early sowing it is a much easier matter to keep the young plants free from the ravages of slugs. Nice large plants will be ready for setting in the borders in the late * autumn, or if they have been dibbed out into boxes they may be grown on there until late spring. If the spot prepared for them is treated to a good dressing of soil fumigant some three weeks before planting, it will he found of great value in ridding the soil of slugs. . : There is now on the market a pure white delphinium, with immense trusses of flowers, and_ also a lovely yellow variety.* So, with the advance of time there is bound to be a further range of new and superb colourings. Delphinium seed sown as soon as it has ripened will produce plants which will bloom in late November or December, and will often produce a further spike in the late autumn.