Delphiniums

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24085, 2 October 1941, Page 17

Delphiniums

r FHOSE who have choice delphiniums or named varieties and desire to increase their number, can only do so to ensure that they will be true to type and colour, by division of the roots or by striking cuttings. Dividing the old roots into a number of pieces which bear one or two shoots that are just appearing through the ground is one of the simplest methods of propagation. Division every third season will provide finer spikes of flowers, for the old stools of roots soon exhaust the nutriment from the soil and also make too many growths. s new leaves are made about this time, division should not be delayed any longer. Cuttings must be taken before the growths exceed three inches long or they will not make roots. Once the foliage appears above ground, lift the whole plants and shake the soil from the root stock. A number of white points or dormant shoots will be seen, in addition to those which already have leaves. If the object in division is merely to obtain a few additional roots, cutting the clump into four or five portions, each bearing one or two shoots, will suffice. It then only remains to plant these in their flowering positions immediately. They will produce a few strong spikes of excellent blooms. To obtain the maximum number of plants from the old root-stock, carefully divide with a sharp knife into pieces having a single shoot and a few root fibres. These pieces can be planted in their flowering positions without anv further treatment.