Nothing quite beats the drama of delphinium flowers. In June and July, they produce towering flower spikes that can reach over 2m tall. Theyre probably best known for their vivid sapphire blue flowers, but they also come in mauve, pink, white and even red. Delphinum flowers can be single or double, depending on the variety. Delphiniums are a cottage garden and herbaceous border staple, bringing height and colour to displays and mixing well with roses, peonies and other vertical flowers such as lupins and verbascums. The flowers are loved by bees and look stunning in a vase.
Delphiniums are in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and have been grown in the UK for centuries. The word delphinium comes from the Greek delphinos, meaning dolphin, probably because of the shape of the opening flowers. Their common name, larkspur, dates back to Tudor times.
Delphiniums are beloved garden plants but starting them from seed can be tricky. Unlike mature delphiniums with their tall spires of flowers, the seedlings look completely different when they first emerge. Knowing how to identify delphinium seedlings is key for success.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about what delphinium seedlings look like, including:
- Timeline for seedling growth
- Distinct features of new sprouts
- Differences between early leaves
- When true leaves develop
- How seedlings change as they mature
- Comparisons to lookalike weeds
When to Expect Delphinium Seedlings
Delphinium seeds take 14-21 days to germinate after sowing. Optimal soil temperature is 60-70°F. The first sign of life will be the seed coat cracking open and a white taproot emerging.
Soon after, the first round embryonic leaves known as cotyledons push up through the soil. These cotyledons look nothing like true delphinium leaves. They are rounded, paddle-shaped, and smooth-edged.
It takes 4-6 weeks after sowing for the seedling’s first true leaves to appear. This is when they start looking more like a delphinium plant.
Identifying Features of New Delphinium Seedlings
When delphiniums first sprout look for these distinguishing traits
- Location – emerging near where seeds were planted
- Timeframe – appearing 2-3 weeks after sowing
- Round cotyledons – spoon-shaped first leaves
- Leggy growth – tall, sparse stems and leaves
- Smooth texture – no hairs on leaves yet
- Pale green color – new growth is translucent
- Slender stem – thin and wire-like
- Slow initial growth – focus on root development first
These features help identify the delicate new seedlings correctly,
Transition to True Leaves
After 4-6 weeks, the seedling starts growing its first true leaves. These will have:
- Jagged, lobed leaf edges
- Alternate leaf arrangement on stem
- Clasping leaf base
- Fuzzy, downy texture
- Darker green color
- Faster, more vigorous growth
The true leaves mean the plant is established and ready for transplanting.
Differences Between Seedlings and Weeds
Check seedlings carefully to ensure they are delphiniums, not weeds. Some weed seedlings resemble young delphiniums. Here’s how to tell the difference:
- Emerging near delphinium seeds
- Round cotyledons
- Alternate leaf arrangement
- Hairy texture
- Purple-tinged stems
- Rapid vertical growth
When in doubt, compare suspicious sprouts to reference pictures and remove any that don’t match. Better safe than sorry!
Caring for Young Delphinium Plants
To help delphinium seedlings thrive:
- Keep soil moist but not soaked
- Provide morning sun, avoid hot afternoon sun
- Use row covers for protection
- Thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart
- Fertilize weekly with dilute liquid fertilizer
- Transplant outdoors after 12-16 weeks
Proper care leads to success with these somewhat persnickety seeds.
What Mature Delphinium Seedlings Look Like
As seedlings grow, their appearance transforms. Here’s an overview of their development:
Cotyledon Stage
The first round leaves are called cotyledons. They look like small spoons.
First True Leaves
After some weeks, ferny true leaves emerge. These are often still rounded.
Mature Seedling
In time, with care, seedlings become robust young plants.
Understanding the phases of delphinium seedling growth helps ensure you properly nurture them into beauty. With the right start, these stately flowers can thrive.
The Takeaway on Delphinium Seedlings
- Seedlings appear 2-3 weeks after sowing and change dramatically as they grow
- Identifying features like round leaves and leggy stems help confirm seedling ID
- True delphinium leaves emerge after 4-6 weeks
- Comparison to reference images prevents mistaken weeds
- Careful moisture, light, and transplantation nurtures seedlings
- Growth stages progress from cotyledons to first true leaves to mature plant
Knowing exactly what delphinium seedlings look like and what they need allows gardeners to successfully cultivate these special flowers from seed. Then you can enjoy their elegance and vibrance in your own landscape.
How to propagate delphiniums
The best method of propagating delphiniums is to take cuttings from the base of the plant (basal cuttings) in spring. You can also save delphinium seed to sow from February to June, or September to October. Sow in small pots or seed trays and keep at a temperature of around 10°-15°C.
Here, Monty explains how to pot on rooted delphinium cuttings:
In spring, as soon as the new shoots appear, protect them from slugs and snails or they will demolish the fresh new delphinium leaves. Use a garlic drench, organic slug pellets, or a biological control (which is only effective against slugs).
Delphiniums can be susceptible to powdery mildew in dry weather, so keep the soil around them moist. They can also be affected by rust, which causes rust-coloured pustules on the foliage. Pick off any affected leaves as you see them and clear up any fallen leaves in autumn.
Delphinium black blotch is a bacterial infection that causes large black blotches on leaves. It is particularly common in wet summers and can affect the health of the whole plant. The only treatment is to remove affected plants to prevent the spread of this disease.
How to plant delphiniums
You can plant a delphinium at any of time of year, but spring or autumn is best as the soil will be warm and moist. Dig a planting hole and add compost or well-rotted manure in the bottom, for a nutritious boost. Delphiniums struggle in winter wet, so add grit to heavy soils to aid drainage. Plant your delphinium at the same depth it was growing in the pot, and back-fill with soil, firming in gently. Water in well.
delphinium seedlings update, what do delphinium seedlings look like
FAQ
How long do delphiniums take to grow from seed?
Raise new plants of delphiniums such as the Pacific Hybrids and Magic Fountains Series from seed: Sow seeds in pots at 13°C (55°F) in spring. Seedlings should appear in 14 days. New plants should flower in about 18 months.
Do you pinch out delphinium seedlings?
Make sure you have the support in place when you sow seed or transplant seedlings to avoid disturbing the plant’s roots later. Optional: Pinch out the growing tips of delphinium plants to encourage denser growth with stronger stems and more flowers.
What do delphinium leaves look like?
Leaf Shape: Delphiniums have deeply lobed, palmate leaves, while larkspurs have more finely divided leaves. Height: Delphiniums tend to be taller, with some varieties reaching up to six feet tall (180 cm).
Why are delphiniums so hard to grow?
Delphiniums struggle in wet winter soil, so aid drainage by adding grit to the planting hole if you have heavy soil. Protect emerging shoots from slugs in spring and stake as soon as they start to grow. Feed weekly with a high potash fertiliser. After flowering, cut stems back to encourage a second flush of blooms.
How long do Delphinium seeds take to grow?
Seedlings started to germinate within 17 days, and continue to do so. Delphinium seeds are among the list of flower seeds that are perfect to start indoors in winter. Sow delphinium seeds 6 to 8 weeks before last frost date. Delphinium seeds take three to four months or more to grow to maturity from planting. How Fast Do Delphiniums Grow From Seed?
Can you grow delphiniums from seed?
You can grow delphiniums from seed. Many varieties are available, or you can try saving your own. Sow delphinium seeds from February to June, or in September or October. Sow in small pots or seed trays and keep at a temperature of around 50°-60°F. To make more delphiniums, take cuttings from the base of the plant in the spring.
When to plant Delphinium seeds?
Knowing how and when to sow delphinium seeds will set you on the right path to growing tall, healthy, flowering plants. Germinating delphinium seeds requires a cold start so put your seeds in the refrigerator for about a week before planting. Start seeds indoors about eight weeks before the last frost of spring.
How big do Delphinium flowers get?
Nothing quite beats the drama of delphinium flowers. In June and July, they produce towering flower spikes that can reach over 2m tall. They have flowers that are more than just sapphire blue. You can get them in mauve, pink, white, and even red. Delphinum flowers can be single or double, depending on the variety.
What color are Delphinium flowers?
Delphinium is a perennial herbaceous plant species of the Ranunculaceae family, native to the northern hemisphere, and of great ornamental value. Its blooms come in various colors, including light blue, purple, pink, cream, white, and predominantly blue tones. Decorate your garden with Delphinium flowers.
Can you grow Delphinium seeds without stratification?
Delphinium seeds have improved germination with cold moist stratification. If you plant without stratifying, germination may result in lower numbers of seedlings. A cold moist chill in the fridge will soften the seed coats. You may even have some sprout while in the fridge. Do I Need To Soak Delphinium Seeds?