Delphinium annual (Shpornik).

Delphinium, Larkspur, and also Shpornik - all these are different names of one plant. On hearing, in the circle of gardeners and summer residents, it is more often called delphinium. It is under this name that it appears in the international scientific classification. There is no unequivocal opinion about why the plant received such a name. Some sources indicate that the unblown bud resembles the body of a dolphin, while others contain information that the plant is named after the city of Delphi, around which it grew in huge quantities. In any case, the appearance of the flower is as attractive as its name.

The spur is a native of the buttercup family and, at present, several hundred varieties of this plant are read around the world. The plant, with a graceful tall stem, strewn with many flowers, and having, moreover, different colors, will be an excellent addition to any decorative plantings. For this reason, the delphinium is in great demand in landscape design. It is used both when creating seasonal compositions and included in perennial plantings, since, among the varieties of delphinium, there are many perennial varieties.

Gardeners, nevertheless, more often choose an annual delphinium for planting, since the winter weather in most regions does not leave perennial plants a chance of survival. It is about how to grow an annual delphinium, which of its varieties and types are the most popular, we will tell further.

Characteristics, types and varieties.

The annual delphinium is an actively growing herbaceous plant. Its height is different and depending on varieties can be from 35 cm to 2 meters. In nature, uncultivated varieties of delphinium can grow over three meters in height, and those species that grow in the foothills only reach 10 cm.

The flowers of the delphinium are irregular, consisting of sepals, not petals. Another feature of the structure of the flower is the presence of a spur - an appendage of the upper sepal. Its length is usually 4 - 5 mm, and only in plants found in South Africa, the spur length reaches 5 cm. Depending on the variety, flowers can bloom both simultaneously and gradually, opening the buds one by one.

Spur is a honey plant pollinated by bumblebees and butterflies, and some species native to America are pollinated by hummingbirds.

There are almost 40 species of annual delphiniums. It should be noted that annuals are less demanding on growing conditions than perennials. In addition, flowering of annual plants obtained by seedlings begins much earlier than perennials.

Among the annual species, there are plants of various heights and shapes.

So, for example, Shpornik Polevoy is a representative of the line of tall varieties, the height of which reaches one and a half meters. The surface of the inflorescences can be either simple or terry, and the color range is so huge that it can satisfy the most sophisticated taste. Delphinium blooms from mid-July to early September. The most famous varieties of this species have dark blue (Qis Dark Blue), spectacular, blue with white (Frosted Sky) and pale pink (Qis Rose) colors.

Ajax hybrid develops as a compact plant, reaching a height of 30-100 cm. Most often, the inflorescences of this species are colored in various shades of pink and lilac flowers. The Ajax delphinium will bloom from mid-summer until the first frost.

On the basis of this hybrid, among other things, a number of delphinium varieties were obtained, one of them - Hyacinth Mix.It is a low-growing plant with lush, double-flowered inflorescences all over the stem. The variety really lives up to its name, because it looks like a hyacinth. A very decorative type of inflorescences of this delphinium, which persists for a long time even in the cut, makes it in demand when making bouquets.

Spur Rasa Kelsei, also derived from the Ajax hybrid, is one of the tall plants with elongated inflorescences and densely spaced buds. This variety is presented in several colors - from white and pale pink to lilac and purple.

Delphinium from seedlings.

All gardeners know that you can accelerate the growth and flowering of annual plants by growing seedlings. It should be noted that in a number of regions with a not too warm climate, this is the only opportunity to see flowering plants.

Delphinium is no exception, it is also quite easy to grow it in a seedling way, you just need to familiarize yourself with some of the rules of agricultural technology.

One of the prerequisites, which is the key to a good result, is the use of high-quality seeds, from the moment of production of which no more than one year has passed. In addition, in order to ensure their good germination, the seeds, according to experts, are best stored in the refrigerator.

Before sowing, the planting material should be disinfected. For this, the seeds are placed in a solution of potassium permanganate for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse and dry.

The optimal soil for growing delphinium should be clayey and have a slightly acidic reaction, therefore, it is better to supplement the composition of the soil offered for sale or make up the soil mixture yourself.

The soil is placed in a seedling container and moistened well. Then, the seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil, trying to distribute them evenly, and sprinkled with earth. Next, the soil is moistened so that the seeds do not move. For these purposes, a spray bottle is well suited.

In order for the seeds to hatch and germinate faster, the seedling containers are covered with plastic wrap, glass, etc., leaving them in a room where the air temperature does not exceed +15 degrees.

At this stage, it is important to ensure moderate soil moisture. The soil should not dry out, otherwise, very weak roots will dry out and the plant will die. The same result will be in case of excess moisture. To prevent the seeds from rotting crops, it is necessary to ventilate daily, removing the shelter for several hours.

When the seedlings grow up, they are carefully planted, transferred with a lump of earth, in which the roots are located, into individual containers. About a month before the delphinium is planted in a permanent place, young plants begin to harden so that they quickly adapt to open ground. To begin with, the plants, once every few days, are left for some time on the veranda, and then, after a little more time, already in the open air, gradually increasing the time from a few minutes to several hours.

After establishing constant day and night temperatures, the delphinium can be planted in open ground. At first, for several days, if possible, it is better to shade young seedlings.

Thus, any varieties of delphinium can be grown. When planting tall species, it is necessary to immediately establish a support so as not to injure the roots of the plant in the future.

It must be indicated that the delphinium is a poisonous plant. The highest concentration of alkaloids, which determine the poisonous properties of a plant, is noted in their roots. There are such types of delphinium that are capable of causing nectar toxicosis in bees or sending livestock.

Plant care.

In order for a plant to delight you with lush flowering, it needs very minimal care.

Spur is not a moisture-loving plant.Under normal conditions, watering once a week is sufficient, except in dry and hot weather, when the number of waterings is increased. It is important to bring moisture under the root, if possible, prevent water from getting on the leaves. Also, if possible, after watering, it is necessary to loosen the soil.

The delphinium is fed three times a season. For the first time, fertilizing is applied when the delphinium grows to 15 cm, then the delphinium is fertilized during the budding period and the third is carried out after the plant has faded. Fertilizers should contain minerals containing ammonium nitrate superphosphates and potassium chloride. Fertilizers can be applied dry, embedded in the soil of the trunk circle, as well as in the form of a solution. According to experts, the root system of plants more actively assimilates fertilizers applied in liquid form.

Spur is a very bright, luxuriantly flowering plant. Due to its different heights and unusual shape, it will find a place in any decorative planting. Delphinium can be made the center of the composition, or it can be planted among perennial ornamental plants as a bright accent that complements their juicy greenery.