How to Grow Delphiniums from Seeds 
The seed-bed, whether flat, cold-frame or open ground, can¬ 
not be too carefully prepared. Avoid any risky element in the 
soil. We must both encourage the seeds to germinate and have 
congenial conditions ready for the senstitive infant plants. 
When pots or flats are used put ample drainage material at the 
bottom, shards or gravel, and over this some sphagnum or peat 
moss. A good seed soil is two parts virgin soil or its equivalent; 
one-half to one part leaf-mold from deciduous trees, one part 
sharp sand (more in heavy soil). Mix well, sift and put in 
enough to bring the layer to within an inch or so of the finished 
surface. On this strata sprinkle a mixture of fine charcoal, bone 
meal and sulphur in about equal parts, and add remainder of 
the soil. 
Level and press smooth before planting the seeds. The soil 
should be neither wet nor dry but just nicely moist. Sow the 
seeds in shallow drills, never more than one-fourth inch deep, 
and fill with fine clean sand, or sand and soil. Never let the 
seed-bed dry out for even a moment, nor should it be kept 
soggy. 
For August sowing, cold-frames without glass may be used 
(where they can remain over winter) shading well until ger¬ 
mination takes place. They will flower the following summer. 
Very early spring sowing in gentle heat (greenhouse or hot¬ 
bed) will also produce bloom the same season. Once trans¬ 
planted before going into permanent place induces fuller root 
system. 
A half-inch layer of sand on top of seed-bed will afford winter 
protection, and discourage slugs. 
Hoodacres seeds are harvested throughout the month of 
July and are usually ready to send out the first week in August, 
just in time to be sown for carrying over winter. 
It is unsafe to sow out-of-doors after August (except in Cali¬ 
fornia and similar climates), as frost will lift the too small plants. 
Delphinium seeds are only at their best when fresh and 
should not be counted upon when more than one year old. The 
fresher they are the more prompt will be germination. We never 
send out old harvesting. Count on an average of two weeks for 
Delphinium seeds to show germination. 
Unless otherwise demanded, all seed orders received after 
June 1st will be filled from the new crop, ready about August 
1st. August planting will bloom the following summer. 
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