How to Grow Delphiniums from Seeds 
Hoodacres seeds are harvested throughout the month of 
July and are ready to send out the first week in August, just 
in time to be sown for carrying over winter. 
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 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 light mixture of fine charcoal 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. Cover lightly and shade till plants appear, then grad- 
ually give stronger light. 
Seeds in a temperature below 60 degrees or above 75 may 
not be harmed if the condition lasts only a short time but these 
are danger lines. 
For August sowing a cold frame is best and except in severe 
climates no sash is required; the plants can remain in them until 
time to set in permanent places. They will flower the following 
summer. Very early spring sowing in gentle heat (greenhouse 
or hotbed) will often produce bloom the same season. 
A half-inch layer of sand on top of seed-bed will afford winter 
protection, and discourage slugs. 
It is unsafe to sow out-of-doors after August (except in Calli- 
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. 
TRANSPLANTING of August-sown seedlings should be de- 
ferred until spring in most sections. 
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