Culture of Delphinium Hybrids 
SEED. For early spring flowers sow from June to September, for mid-summer 
bloom December to January, and for fall bloom, February, March and April. 
Sow in flats or pans in a mixture of two-thirds coarse leafmold, one-third peat 
and slight addition of sand. Smooth the surface, broadcast seed and press it down 
very gently with piece of board, then cover very thin with finely sifted peat, well 
moistened before using. Water thoroughly, cover with pane of glass and sheet of 
paper. Place in temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At lower tempera¬ 
ture the germination will be very slow. Higher temperature will bring poor ger¬ 
mination, especially in summer. At 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit the germination 
will be very poor. After approximately six to eight days, or as soon as germination 
takes place, paper should be taken off and two or three days later also the glass. 
Shade, good air circulation and uniform moisture must be maintained in the early 
stage of growth. Drying out when the germination is taking place will be fatal. 
Dampening off will occur only if flats are kept too wet in greenhouse without 
proper ventilation. Watering with weak solution of clilorox, abont four to six per 
cent, we found as best cure and preventive. 
When second leaves are developed and before the plants are too crowded, prick 
in flats three inches apart in a mixture of two-thirds sandy loam and one-third peat. 
Keep shaded for two or three weeks, then gradually give more light and when 
larger harden off in full sunlight before planting out in permanent position, about 
two to three feet apart. 
Open sunny location is necessary for best development. In shade they will grow 
too spindly with only small flower spikes. Close to the walls, they will mildew 
more than in the open. 
Ground should be well prepared for planting. Liberal application of well rotted 
cow or sheep manure with sprinkling of bone meal mixed with the soil which should 
be dug a foot deep, will produce fine growth. Heavy wet soils will require slight 
additional lime. Good drainage and uniform supply of moisture during the growth 
is essential. 
When first crop of bloom has faded, cut the flower spikes off above the foliage 
and keep slightly dry until new shoots appear above the ground, then cut rest of 
the old stock, sprinkle spoonful of sulphate of ammonia combined with sulphate of 
potash in proportion of ten to one around each plant, rake it slightly in the ground 
and water thoroughly. From the new shoots appearing out of the ground, select 
two or three of the strongest and break the rest of them out. You shall have good 
crop again. Do not force new growth late in Autumn. Rather keep the plants on 
dry side. If forced into bringing third crop late in the season the plants will soon 
exhaust themselves and gradually die out. 
Mildew will attack plants grown close to a wall, or planted thick together, 
especially later in the fall. The new “Ortho Mildew Spray” originated by the Cali¬ 
fornia Spray Chemical Corp., diluted with water to 4 per cent strength, will control 
it perfectly. This spray not only acts as a preventive but will cure heavily affected 
plants, as it kills mildew instantly. It is a light oil, can be applied at any time 
without burning the foliage to which it gives a nice shiny appearance. 
Delphinium Cardinale 
Sowing directions for the scarlet larkspur differ slightly from that for the 
garden hybrids. They cannot be transplanted with bare roots when growing. Sow 
either in small pots and plant out later without disturbing the root system or sow 
in flats in peat with slight addition of sand only. Peat is the only medium that will 
stick to the roots so that they may be safely transplanted in the field. 
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